The Federal Government has appointed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocols. This decision follows the resolution of a recent dispute between the musician and ValueJet staff.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced the appointment on Wednesday. He also confirmed that the “six-month flight ban” previously imposed on the singer has been reduced to “one month.”
NewsClick Nigeria reported that KWAM 1 was placed on a no-fly list after he had an argument with ValueJet staff about the contents of his flask, which was thought to contain alcohol.
Keyamo said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will now collaborate with the artist to encourage adherence to security procedures. He also announced that the licenses of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba, which were suspended over the same incident, would be reinstated after one month and a required professional reassessment.
The statement reads in part: “(d) 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. (e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police. (f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.”