The Federal Government has revealed plans to appoint Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols, following recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, outlined measures to address recent incidents of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo announced that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had reduced KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would collaborate with him to promote awareness on appropriate conduct within the aviation sector.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will coordinate the engagement initiative.
”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.
The Minister stated that the decision followed appeals from concerned citizens and KWAM 1’s public expression of remorse over the August 5 incident, in which he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
Keyamo added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would also withdraw its criminal complaint against the musician.
This comes just days after the artiste publicly apologised, explaining that the flask he carried during the incident contained water for medical purposes, not alcohol, as claimed by security officials.
The Minister stressed that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds,” but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strictly enforcing aviation safety and security regulations.
On August 5, KWAM 1 reportedly clashed with airline staff and security personnel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while preparing to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos. He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask suspected to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on staff, and later walking onto the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing.
The NCAA described the incident as a breach of aviation safety laws, initially imposing a six-month no-fly ban and filing a criminal complaint with the police.
