The Federal Government has appointed Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol, just hours after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over his alleged unruly behaviour on a ValueJet flight.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the appointment on Wednesday, stating that it followed consultations with industry stakeholders and a review of recent incidents involving disruptive passengers, notably Kwam 1 and Comfort Emmanson.
Keyamo said while the incidents were regrettable, they brought valuable lessons and heightened public awareness of appropriate conduct in the aviation sector.
On the case of Comfort Emmanson—who was banned for life from flying Ibom Air and jailed—the minister revealed that the government appealed to the airline to drop its complaint after she showed remorse during a police statement. Her release is expected this week, with the Airline Operators of Nigeria also set to lift her flight ban.
Regarding Kwam 1, Keyamo confirmed that the NCAA had reduced his flight ban to one month and withdrawn its police complaint. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will now collaborate with him on public enlightenment as an airport security protocol ambassador.
The NCAA’s petition to the IGP earlier accused the singer of refusing to surrender a flask suspected to contain alcohol—claiming it was doctor-prescribed medication—before being deboarded and allegedly attempting to delay the aircraft’s departure. Two ValueJet pilots were also suspended over the matter.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency granted in both cases was on compassionate grounds and warned that aviation laws would be enforced without bias. He added that aviation agencies would hold a retreat next week to retrain security personnel on managing unruly passengers and reviewing airline staff conduct towards travellers.
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