- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to make Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.
This is coming under the heels of his misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he had last week attempted to stop a ValueJet airline from flying after being denied access into the flight.
NPO Reported that the Nigerian local airline had refused to grant the singer access to the flight over alleged possession of alcoholic drink concealed in his flask.
His subsequent assault on the airport officials and obstruction of the aircraft had forced the pilots to taxi with the shocking moment, captured in a viral video, showing the officials scampering for safety with KWAM1 ducking being hit by the wing of the aircraft.
Wasiu Ayinde’s conduct had sparked controversies which intensified with similar incident involving Ibom Air and unruly passenger, Comfort Emmanson.
Unlike KWAM1 who was slammed a six-month no fly ban, Emmanson, who was captured assaulting Ibom Air hostess before being dragged out of the plane, bagged lifetime flight suspension after being swiftly arraigned and remanded in Kirikiri prison.
While Keyamo had in a statement issued on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of Emmanson’s case and the lifting of her ban, the aviation minister also addressed the case of KWAM1.
He directed FAAN to work along with the singer after ordering the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reduce his flight ban to one month.
Keyamo also charged the NCAA to withdraw its criminal complaints filed against KWAM1 and also restore the license of the ValueJet pilots involved in the incident.
The Minister further announced the organisation of a retreat for all aviation agencies with the purpose of addressing the recent developments in the sector.
“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.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.
“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. AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
“I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations.
“The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.
“The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.
“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.
“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.” Keyamo wrote.