Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, says the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will appoint Wasiu Ayinde, the Fuji artiste better known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol.
In a statement on Wednesday, Keyamo said the move is part of measures to ensure celebrities help promote proper conduct at airports across the country.
“In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward,” the statement reads.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police.”
The minister also said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reduced KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month.
He added that the NCAA will also withdraw the criminal complaints earlier lodged with the police against the music star.
The development comes in the wake of the artiste’s apology, where he stated that the flask he held contained medically prescribed water, not alcohol, as alleged by airport officials.
BACKGROUND
On August 5, the NCAA suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of the airport, which was later linked to the disorderly conduct of KWAM 1, who was on board the flight.
Keyamo thereafter directed the agency to place the musician on a no-fly list, pending the outcome of a full investigation.
The NCAA also petitioned the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and the inspector-general of police (IGP) to investigate the incident involving the airline and the Fuji musician.
‘COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS’
In his latest statement, the minister relayed that he has instructed aviation bodies to hold a retreat aimed at retraining security staff on handling unruly travellers and defusing tense situations before they escalate.
Keyamo said the decisions were made on compassionate grounds, adding that the government will “never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved”.
He added that the government takes safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and has decided to draw a line after “these clemencies”.
