By Muhammad Mamman
Musiliu “MC Oluomo” Akinsanya, the dynamic National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has passionately urged President Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to reconsider the six-month no-fly ban imposed on Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, following a controversial incident aboard a ValueJet flight.
The drama unfolded when the 68-year-old music maestro, a close ally of President Tinubu, allegedly breached aviation rules by bringing alcohol onto ValueJet’s morning flight (VK 201) to Lagos, sparking a heated clash with a flight attendant at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reported the violation, prompting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to slap Kwam 1 with a no-fly sanction and refer the matter to the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for potential prosecution.
In a heartfelt Instagram plea, MC Oluomo called for clemency, hailing Kwam 1’s remorse and illustrious legacy. “I humbly appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to show mercy towards Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1),” he wrote. “Like a prodigal son, K1 has owned his mistakes, expressed sincere regret, and is ready to make amends. I respectfully urge the NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, and Minister Keyamo to lift the ban on K1 and pilot Oluranti Ogoyi, tempering justice with compassion.”
Highlighting Kwam 1’s five-decade contribution to Nigerian culture, MC Oluomo added, “On behalf of K1, I offer heartfelt apologies to ValueJet’s CEO, Mr Kunle Soname, the airline’s staff, and the public. Let us not discard a national treasure with the bathwater. Mercy will uphold our values of compassion and humanity.”
The appeal follows Kwam 1’s public apology, where he described the incident as “unfortunate” and expressed deep regret. Meanwhile, Minister Keyamo condemned the altercation as “unacceptable,” noting that video evidence showed Kwam 1 obstructing the aircraft’s taxiing, risking a tragedy. The NCAA also suspended two ValueJet pilots, Oluranti Ogoyi and Ivan Oloba, for breaching safety protocols by taxiing without a clear tarmac.
