Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that airline operators are considering appointing Ms Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently released from prison, as an ambassador for good passenger conduct.
Recall that Comfort was jailed after an incident on an Ibom Air flight but regained her freedom on Wednesday following government intervention and the withdrawal of the airline’s complaint.
In a press statement shared via his verified X handle, Keyamo disclosed that the role being considered for Emmanson, and for KWAM 1, in a separate case, would be voluntary and without monetary benefits.
According to him, Ms Comfort Emmanson has shown a lot of remorse since the incident, and while some people will keep questioning the minstry’s decisions on the issue, he is certain that he has been fair to everyone concerned.
“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,” it read.
Keyamo further noted that such ambassadorial roles are not official positions and have been given to repentant citizens by past Nigerian governments.
He concluded by saying that no monetary reward will come with the position because it is a community service.
“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,” he added.
