The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol, following the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday while outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behavior at Nigerian airports.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban from six months to one month.
The authority will also collaborate with the musician to promote public awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation sector, while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will lead the engagement process.
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“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 said the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public apology over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
The minister emphasized that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds, warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security regulations in the aviation sector.
The development comes days after the musician apologized to the public, clarifying that the flask he carried during the incident contained water for medical reasons, not alcohol as alleged by security officials.
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On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officers at the Abuja airport while attempting 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 tarmac, allegedly blocking the aircraft from taxiing.
The NCAA described his actions as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially imposed a six-month no-fly ban, in addition to filing a criminal complaint with the police.