Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, has publicly apologised to Nigerians and aviation authorities over the recent incident involving him and ValueJet Airline at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed, the musician described the episode as regrettable and clarified that he had been carrying only water in the flask that sparked controversy.
He explained that he suffers from chronic dehydration and had been advised by his doctor to remain constantly hydrated.
According to him, the flask was empty when he passed through two security screenings and was only filled with water at the airport lounge before heading to the tarmac, contrary to claims that it contained alcohol.
KWAM 1 stressed that he had not boarded the aircraft at the time of the incident and therefore was never deboarded. He maintained that he had no intention of disrupting operations or breaching aviation protocols.
The veteran artiste reaffirmed his patriotism and long-standing commitment to promoting Nigeria’s image internationally, noting that he would never take actions that could tarnish his reputation or that of the country.
He expressed deep regret over the concerns generated by the incident and pledged to uphold the responsibilities expected of a global ambassador of Nigerian music and culture.
He extended his unreserved apology to the Presidency, the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), ValueJet Airline, fellow Nigerians, and fans worldwide who had expressed concern since the matter became public.
The statement reads in full, “The incident that occurred at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025, involving my humble self and ValueJet Airline, was to say the least, unfortunate.
“Unknown to many, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor strongly advised that I remain constantly hydrated. This is why I always carry a water flask with me. And contrary to the negative narrative being circulated in some quarters, the flask I carried on that particular day contained only water — not alcohol, as wrongly alleged.
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“For the record, I passed through two security screenings with the flask empty. The flask was only filled with water at the lounge area, just before heading to the tarmac. This fact can be verified by the CCTV footage at the airport lounge. More so, I hadn’t even boarded the plane, let alone being deboarded.
“However, I acknowledge and deeply regret the concerns that arose from the incident. It was never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols in any way.
“My unwavering patriotism and unshaken loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria have never been in doubt. Over the years, I have consistently used my God-given talent and platform to promote the Nigerian brand across the globe. I would never do anything to tarnish the image I’ve built over the past five decades, nor would I knowingly act in a way that could diminish the reputation of the country I love so dearly.
“That said, the incident is sincerely regretted. I remain committed to upholding the values and responsibilities that come with being a global ambassador of Nigerian music and culture.
“To the Presidency, Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, NCAA, ValueJet, fellow Nigerians, and my teeming fans across the world who have shown great concern since the incident happened, I tender my unreserved and heartfelt apology. Thank you.”
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