Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has justified the appointment of Fuji Music star, Wasiu Ayinde to serve as an ambassador to promote good passenger conduct, saying it is a common global practice to engage repentant offenders in such roles. He explained that it is akin to community service.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday afternoon, Keyamo argued that the government has been fair to all in the circumstance.
The full statement reads:
“For further clarification, 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. It is akin to Community Service. It is not paid for and it is voluntary service.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some would assume that once you hear the word ‘Ambassador’ it is a big position that comes with the perquisites of office. No, it is not. It is for free. It is not the first time it is happening in Nigeria and it will not be the last . Examples abound of such roles given to repentant persons by previous governments in Nigeria.
Whilst the Aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), they are also looking at the option of using Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct. It is left for the AON to work out those details since she has been actually released from prison custody today based on my earlier statement.
Whilst the usual suspects can continue to question our decisions on this issue, we firmly believe we have been fair to all.”
