The Federal Government has named Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security, just days after a heated airport incident that led to his temporary flight ban.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the announcement on Wednesday while revealing decisions on recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had reduced KWAM 1’s no-fly sanction from six months to one month and would work with him to promote proper conduct in airports. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is expected to lead the partnership.
“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,” Keyamo said.
The decision followed appeals from respected Nigerians and what Keyamo described as KWAM 1’s “public show of penitence” over the August 5 clash at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.
Days earlier, the singer apologised to the public, explaining that the flask he carried on the day contained water for health reasons and not alcohol, as claimed by security personnel.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was accused of carrying a prohibited flask, spilling its contents on airport staff, and later walking onto the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing. The NCAA had initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list and lodged a criminal complaint with the police before Wednesday’s reversal.
