- Kwam 1’s sanction reduced after public apology for ValueJet incident involving disruptive behaviour during domestic flight.
- FAAN to collaborate with musician as ambassador promoting airport safety and passenger conduct awareness.
The minister of aviation, Festus Keyamo, says the one-year flight ban placed on Fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde Marshall will be reduced to a month.
Ayinde, widely known as Kwam 1, was penalised for disruptive conduct on a ValueJet flight before the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s intervention.
Keyamo explained that the decision to ease the sanction came alongside plans by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to appoint the artiste as an airport security ambassador.
According to the minister, the NCAA has also dropped its criminal complaint after the musician publicly admitted fault and apologised for his actions.
He said the moves were designed to uphold aviation safety while acknowledging genuine contrition and using the incident to promote proper behaviour in airports.
“These above decisions were taken by government and the airline operators purely on compassionate grounds as government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved,” Keyamo stated.
He added, “We are also sending a clear message that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”