The Federal Government has announced that Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, will serve as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols. The decision comes in the wake of an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, earlier this month.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed the move in a statement on Wednesday, saying it was part of broader efforts to address unruly behavior at Nigerian airports.
According to Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has decided to cut down KWAM 1’s initial six-month flight ban to just one month. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will now work with the Fuji star to promote public awareness on acceptable conduct within airport premises.
“FAAN will work with the music star to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. Having publicly shown penitence, the NCAA will also withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1,” the minister said.
Keyamo explained that the decision was influenced by appeals from respected individuals and KWAM 1’s public apology over the August 5 confrontation, where he was accused of obstructing a ValueJet aircraft.
In his statement, the minister stressed that the leniency was granted on “compassionate grounds,” but warned that the government remained firm on enforcing aviation safety laws.
KWAM 1 has maintained that the flask he carried during the incident contained water for medical purposes, not alcohol, as initially claimed by security officials. The musician has since expressed regret over the events.
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Originally, the NCAA had placed him on a six-month no-fly list and filed a criminal complaint, citing violations of aviation safety rules. The sanctions have now been eased, and the focus will shift to using his public profile to encourage travelers to follow airport security guidelines.
With this new role, KWAM 1 is set to swap the spotlight of the stage for a different kind of performance, one aimed at keeping Nigeria’s airports safer and more orderly.
-Deeprows News
