The Federal Government has appointed Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, as an Ambassador for proper airport security protocol.
This followed the government’s decision to reduce the singer’s flight ban from six-month period to one month after a confrontation with a ValueJet flight crew at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the move was part of a broader resolution to address recent incidents of unruly behaviour at airports.
“FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward,” Keyamo announced.
The minister said KWAM 1 had “publicly demonstrated penitence” over his actions, prompting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to withdraw its criminal complaint against him and shorten his suspension to one month.
Keyamo also revealed that ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, who were involved in the same incident, would have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and undergoing mandatory professional re-appraisal.
He stressed that while the decisions were taken on compassionate grounds, the government remained committed to enforcing discipline in the aviation sector.
“We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he said.
The announcement came as the Ministry of Aviation also announced that it will hold a sector-wide retreat next week to retrain security personnel and airline staff on de-escalating tense situations with passengers.
