Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says airline operators may appoint Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently freed from prison, as an ambassador for good passenger behaviour.
Emmanson’s release came on Wednesday after government intervention and the withdrawal of Ibom Air’s complaint. She had been jailed over a mid-air incident.
In a post on his verified X handle, Keyamo explained that the idea, which also involves Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) in a separate case, would be voluntary and unpaid.
“Whilst the Aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the Airline Operators of Nigeria, 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,” his statement read.
He clarified that such positions are symbolic and have previously been assigned by Nigerian governments to reformed offenders.
READ ALSO: Ibom Air Passenger Walks Free as Airline Withdraws Complaint
“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.”
Emmanson’s case involved an altercation during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos after she allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone during takeoff, leading to a verbal dispute. She was arrested, prosecuted, and jailed for disorderly conduct before Ibom Air dropped its complaint.
Following the incident, Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria issued a lifetime no-fly ban against her. The move drew criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association and rights groups, who raised concerns about due process and respect for human dignity.
In a related case, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 5 while preparing to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos. He was accused of attempting to carry a prohibited alcohol-filled flask, spilling its contents on staff, and walking onto the tarmac to obstruct the aircraft from taxiing.