President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to lift the flight ban placed on Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also called Kwam 1.
The appeal came on Monday, two days after the 68-year-old singer publicly apologised over the incident that happened at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving him and ValueJet staff.
According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Kwam 1 allegedly carried alcohol on board a domestic flight, an act prohibited under aviation rules. The incident reportedly led to an altercation with a flight attendant, prompting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to place him on a no-fly list and petition the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for prosecution.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, MC Oluomo said, “To His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria (NURTW), humbly and fervently appeal to you to exercise mercy and forgiveness towards Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1). Like a prodigal son, K1 has acknowledged his mistakes, is sincerely apologetic, and is willing to make amends.
“I respectfully and earnestly request that the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN, consider tempering justice with mercy by lifting the ban imposed on K1 and the pilot, Oluranti Ogoyi, following the incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s local wing in Abuja.”
MC Oluomo also urged the authorities to consider Kwam 1’s decades-long contribution to the country’s music industry.
He said, “On behalf of K1, I extend unreserved and heartfelt apologies to the CEO of Value Jet, Mr Kunle Soname, the staff, the pilot, and the general public. We acknowledge K1’s wrongdoing and sincerely appreciate his 50-year contributions to Nigeria’s growth and the promotion of Yoruba culture worldwide. I plead with the authorities to accept K1’s apology and show mercy, considering his legacy and dedication to the nation. May wisdom guide your decisions, and may we not throw away the baby with the bathwater.”
The Guardian had earlier reported that Keyamo condemned the musician’s conduct as “unacceptable” and insisted that all those involved must face appropriate sanctions. The minister said video evidence showed the Fuji star repeatedly obstructing a commercial aircraft from taxiing to the runway.
The NCAA also suspended two ValueJet pilots — Oluranti Ogoyi and Ivan Oloba — for allegedly breaching safety protocols during the incident.
