Thank You, Uncle Festus Aka A1!

Yes, K1 has apologised, but the punitive measures taken to deter others and to serve as examples, and in the case of K1, sterling examples, must be sustained. K1 is the Fuji music King, and if I have lost you, then you need to look for other more salacious or melodramatic content or issues elsewhere.

However, if your attention has been on the aviation sector, especially with the recent announcement of a N720 billion Lagos airport upgrade, then you would know what I am talking about.

The Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo Esq., did take action over K1’s misadventure with ValuJet Airlines. He was clear, unambiguous, and fair. His statement was as follows: “I have received reports from all the relevant aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 7, 2025.

I have also received video footage of the incident. From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, which could have led to serious fatalities. Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have said, he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxing to take position on the runway for takeoff. This is totally unacceptable behaviour.

The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in question at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here, which is akin to a hostage situation.”

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K1 has apologised for his behaviour and has tried to clarify that the flask was a water-bottle flask for medical reasons. He has apologised to the nation as an ambassador of music and has apologised to Mr. President too. However, I do not believe his apology should earn him any reprieve regarding the punishment to be meted out to him. If I were A1, I would have slapped a fine on him.

Celebrities and influential individuals on our domestic airlines should be fined henceforth, Uncle Festus. That will deter them because they hate paying taxes and fines.

Please, Mr. President, do not intervene in this matter. Just “carry your toothpick and treat more important FEC memos.”

Our aviation sector needs bold hands and a committed voice to really sanitise and revolutionize the industry.

I have never seen such arrant nonsense like the reaction of the pilot who swung the jet into taxiing! Was the pilot driving a bus or a keke? Was the pilot going to crush K1 and the other officials on the runway? Come on! These jokes keep writing themselves. Please, Uncle Festus, do not soft-pedal on anyone, no matter the consequences.

The reforms in the sector are coming fast and industry-wide, and airline operators may be finding it a bit different and difficult. In recent times, I have seen no less than five airlines being sanctioned and fined.

The aviation ministry now has a very robust Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate. Delayed or canceled flights are frowned upon, and when reported, the NCAA does not take it lightly with the airlines. Countless times, they are reprimanded, and compensations or refunds are demanded and obtained.

The K1 saga is coming on the heels of the N720 billion budget for the Murtala Mohammed Airport. The hue and cry, of course, is from the coalition group and a horde of northern voices decrying such huge expenditure. If I wear my northern lens, I would be quick to join the voices and protest in favor of the Aminu Kano Airport with all its historic glory.

A1 has given an overview of the renovation that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, is set to undergo. It’s a transformation aimed at making it a hub and a transit city. He revealed that currently, the airport generates 200 billion for the federal government, which is a little over $130 million. For the fourth-largest economy in Africa and for Lagos, a city that boasts the second-largest city GDP in Africa, this is paltry revenue and simply unacceptable.

Those protesting need to understand and accept the reality that we cannot remain a welfarist state in the 21st century, where technology is taking over many things, including jobs. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration marks a departure from the almost total welfarist state model run by his predecessor to a capitalist economy.

This conversion is painful and tough, especially for the lazy and indeed hazy-minded. The mentality where the government does it all needs to be rusticated from our psyche, for goodness’ sake.

Last year alone, Dirty December in Lagos had businesses and banks raking in millions in foreign exchange. Today, diaspora remittances are doing well over $20 billion into our economy, according to official figures. Unofficial figures would likely be almost double. Therefore, the Lagos airport’s N720 billion investment is a wise one and a forex mine.

But again, I ask: where was the energy from the Aviation Minister during the previous 8 years of the former administration, seeking improvements for Aminu Kano Airport or even Katsina Airport? The east barely has an international airport, and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State is just coming online. I doubt whether every geopolitical zone must have the same kind of asset or asset management, given the regional differences.

I have covered a lot of ground, from the K1/ValueJet saga in Abuja to the big-money plans for Lagos airport. I’ll wrap up here before the critics of the Murtala Mohammed transformation try to silence me.

That will be it. Thank you, Uncle Festus Jare! K1 and the pilot should not go scot-free, please, Esquire.