Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the decision to appoint repentant offenders as goodwill ambassadors, saying it aligns with global rehabilitation practices.
His remarks followed public criticism over plans to involve Fuji musician KWAM1 and recently released offender Comfort Emmanson in campaigns promoting proper conduct. Emmanson was arrested after a viral video showed her assaulting another passenger mid-flight on a domestic Nigerian airline. The incident sparked outrage and fresh debate on passenger behaviour. She later apologised, leading to her release from custody.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) are reportedly considering appointing Emmanson as an ambassador for good passenger conduct — a proposal that has attracted mixed reactions. Similarly, KWAM1, who has had previous legal issues, is being considered for a comparable role by aviation authorities.
Keyamo clarified that these ambassadorial roles are unpaid, voluntary, and comparable to community service rather than formal positions. He stressed that such initiatives are not new in Nigeria, with past governments also engaging repentant individuals to discourage misconduct.
“While critics may see it differently, this is not about rewarding wrongdoing but about fostering reform,” Keyamo said. “Globally, it is common for a repentant offender to speak publicly against the exact conduct from which they have repented. It is voluntary and without benefits of office.”
He added that while aviation agencies are considering KWAM1 for such a role, AON may also proceed with Emmanson, who was released from custody earlier in the day.
Keyamo concluded that the strategy forms part of wider efforts to improve public conduct in Nigeria’s aviation sector, urging the public to judge the initiative by its outcomes rather than assumptions.
