Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the appointment of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol, clarifying that the role is unpaid and purely voluntary.
Speaking via posts on X on Thursday, Keyamo described the position as a form of community service rather than a prestigious office with perks, explaining that it is common practice globally to assign such advocacy roles to repentant offenders.
“It is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented,” Keyamo wrote. “It is akin to community service. It is not paid for and it is voluntary service. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some assume that the word ‘Ambassador’ means a big position with perquisites of office. No, it is not.”
KWAM 1’s appointment follows an August 5 incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in which the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) linked his disorderly conduct on a ValueJet flight to a safety breach. The agency subsequently suspended two pilots involved and petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation.
Keyamo noted that previous Nigerian governments have also appointed repentant individuals to similar advocacy roles, stressing that such measures are aimed at promoting better behaviour in public spaces.
In a related development, the minister revealed that aviation agencies are considering appointing Ms. Comfort Emmanson—the passenger accused of assaulting an Ibom Air hostess on a flight from Uyo to Lagos as an ambassador for good passenger conduct on behalf of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
He said discussions are ongoing with the AON, noting that Emmanson, who has shown remorse, was released from prison custody earlier on Thursday.
“Whilst the usual suspects can continue to question our decisions on this issue, we firmly believe we have been fair to all,” Keyamo said.
The minister reiterated that both appointments are part of broader efforts to curb unruly behaviour among passengers and promote safety, orderliness, and respect for aviation protocols in Nigeria’s airports.
