Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, will now serve as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol following a recent incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement addressing recent incidents of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has agreed to cut KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and will work with him to raise public awareness about acceptable conduct at airports. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will lead the engagement process.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
Keyamo explained that the decision followed appeals from respected individuals and KWAM 1’s public apology over the August 5 incident where he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
The development comes after KWAM 1 apologised to the public, stressing that the flask he carried on the day contained water for medical reasons, not alcohol as alleged by security personnel.
The minister noted that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” but maintained that the government remains committed to enforcing aviation safety laws.
Recall that on August 5, KWAM 1 had a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while preparing to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.
He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
The NCAA described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed the artiste on a six-month no-fly list while also filing a criminal complaint.
