NIGERIA: FG Makes U-Turn, Names KWAM 1 Aviation Security Ambassador After Airport Incident

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Federal Government has made a U-turn on the sanction pronounced against Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, following his recent conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed plans by the FG to make the musician as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.

The minister announced the move in a statement on Wednesday, outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.

Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban from six months to one month.

He added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space.

According to him, the NCAA would also withdraw its criminal complaint against the artiste, following his public apology over the August 5 incident.

The minister said the decision was taken after appeals from well-meaning individuals and in view of KWAM 1’s public show of remorse.

Days earlier, the singer apologised to the public, explaining that the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons, not alcohol, as alleged by security personnel.

Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds, warning that the government would continue to enforce aviation safety and security laws.

On August 5, KWAM 1 was accused of carrying a prohibited flask, spilling its contents on security officials, and walking onto the tarmac to block a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing.

The NCAA had initially described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations, placing him on a six-month no-fly list and filing a criminal complaint with the police.