Dear Honourable Minister,
I have no personal or partisan stake in this matter. My interest is professional and patriotic — rooted in my work as a lawyer, media entrepreneur, and public communications consultant, and in my unwavering allegiance to Nigeria. The rule of law is the compass by which I assess public decisions, particularly those that touch on justice, public perception, and the delicate balance between accountability and rehabilitation.
Your recent comments on your official X page regarding the possibility of appointing both Mr. Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) and Ms. Comfort Emmanson as ambassadors for good passenger conduct have generated considerable public attention. I understand, and indeed acknowledge, that the concept of engaging repentant offenders in public awareness campaigns is not without precedent. Globally and locally, restorative and community-service approaches have been used to turn personal missteps into teachable moments.
However, three points merit careful consideration if this initiative is to uphold both the spirit and letter of the law:
1. Due Process First, Advocacy Second
In jurisdictions where such models have credibility, the legal process is completed before the advocacy role begins. Accountability is established either through the courts, regulatory proceedings, or formal cautioning. Only then does the “ambassador” role become a symbol of redemption rather than a substitute for sanction. If an appointment precedes or appears to displace legal accountability, it risks undermining confidence in equal treatment under the law.
2. Optics and Public Perception
Even when unpaid, the title “Ambassador” carries symbolic weight. In a context where one offender is a celebrated public figure and the other an ordinary citizen, the optics of timing and process matter greatly. Without transparent criteria for selection and appointment, there is a risk that the public will view this as preferential treatment for the well-connected, even if that is not the case.
3. Safeguards Against Incentivising Misconduct
Nigeria’s media environment is highly reactive to viral incidents. If public disruption is perceived as a possible gateway to influence or notoriety, this could inadvertently encourage the very behaviours we seek to deter. The deterrent effect of law depends as much on consistent application as it does on the penalties prescribed.
A Constructive Path Forward
If the intent is to model reform and promote good conduct in aviation, the following steps would help secure both public confidence and long-term effectiveness:
- Ensure the completion of any regulatory or legal processes before public appointments.
- Apply clear, transparent criteria that apply equally to all offenders, regardless of status.
- Define the ambassadorial role narrowly, with specific deliverables, a set timeframe, and public reporting on activities.
- Frame the appointments as part of a broader, NCAA-led passenger conduct and safety awareness programme, rather than as stand-alone gestures.
Such measures would help the initiative be seen not as celebrity absolution, but as accountability in action — turning contrition into credible public service, while reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law.
Respectfully,
Henry Balogun
Publisher, HB Report
