ValueJet Airline has been in the news these past few days over an altercation between veteran Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM1 and the gr
ValueJet Airline has been in the news these past few days over an altercation between veteran Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM1 and the ground staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and pilots of Aviation company, Valuejet.
On August 5, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the regulatory body for all things aviation in Nigeria, suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of the airport. The authority said preliminary findings showed that the pilot commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.
According to NCAA, the reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards. The pilots’ suspension was linked to the disorderly conduct of KWAM1 who was meant to board the flight but violated aviation regulations by insisting on taking an alcoholic drink on board the commercial aircraft.
Well, KWAM1 has since been blacklisted from flying through Nigeria air space for six months. A petition against him has also been sent to the Attorney General of Nigeria and the Inspector General of Nigeria for prosecution. Similarly, any airline that attempts to airlift him will have their licence revoked.
Unlike most of the more popular airline like Max Air, Arik and Air Peace, ValueJet, a private airline was founded in 2018 by billionaire businessman, Kunle Soname who has an estimated net worth of over $300 million. However, the airline did not start flying until October 2022 with flights to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, and Jos. The airline’s daily operations are managed by Captain Omololu Majekodunmi, who serves as the CEO.
Kunle’s business tentacles spreads across diverse interests in sports, betting and real estate. He is the Chairman of the sports betting website Bet9ja and owner of Portuguese football club C.D. He is also the president of Remo Stars Football Club previously known as FC DENDER was founded by Soname in 2004. The club was previously based in Lagos before it was relocated to Ogun State and now plays in the Nigerian Premier League’s Top Division. Soname is recorded as the first Nigerian to acquire a European club C.D. Feirense which he bought in 2015.
Very calm, but focused, Kunle who was a former local government chairman of Ikosi Isheri in Lagos, studied Estate Management at the Obafemi Awolowo University where he graduated in 1988.
