Editorial
Dana Airline And Unpaid Compensations
Nigerians last Monday, June 3, 2013 expressed fresh grief and paid tributes to victims of last year’s Dana Airline flight 992 which crashed in Iju Ishaga, a suburb of Agege area in Lagos State, killing all 153 crew and passengers on board and four others at the crash site.
To commemorate that dark day a year ago, of the horrific accident, families that lost loved ones joined Federal and Lagos State governments to pay tributes to the departed and prayed God for safer skies. Although no amount of memorial can restore lost lives, the events nonetheless explained true empathy with the families of the departed, who are still grieving.
One of the reasons, for such long grief, far beyond the huge losses suffered on that day amongst other issues is that of non payment of compensations to families of the dead which we think should have been addressed long before the first year anniversary.
We understand that in line with Montreal Protocol, relations of the crash victims are entitled to one hundred thousand dollars each in compensation. But one year after, it is most regrettable that Dana Airline management has not discharged its responsibility to the affected widows and other relations who lost their breadwinners.
Also waiting for the same compensation are families of crew members, not to mention the innocent four of Iju Ishaga crash site whose case still hangs in the balance.
Considering the fact that Dana Airline has since commenced operations in spite of public outcry to the contrary, that such compensations have not been paid is the height of insensitivity and indeed the most annoying example of corporate irresponsibility.
We think that one year is long enough period for a responsible Airline to address all issues arising from that ill-fated crash including, helping to resolve lingering litigations between and among possible beneficiaries of the compensations and of course the dead four on ground.
The Tide agrees with the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, that adequate compensation be paid to the Iju Ishaga ground victims, along with the crew and passengers who perished in the crash. Clearly, if Dana Flight had shown sufficient empathy with the families involved and after receiving easy clearance it got from the authorities to commence operations it would not require the ceremonial reminder of a Catholic Bishop to do right, one year after.
In fact, all necessary demands made of the Airline by the victims’ next of kin should have been met within the year, before what appears a hurried clearance by the National Aviation authorities to start flight operations.
This is why the new December deadline given Dana Airline to make good its obvious lapses in human relations, is perceived by many as an unnecessary time extension. However, it should give the Airline another opportunity to leverage on public goodwill, even in the face of obvious disapproval and act right.
Although The Tide shares the sentiment of those who view the new December deadline as unnecessary, it is however hoped that Dana Airline will use the time to resolve all these issues because it offers fresh sufficient opportunity to discharge its responsibilities to families of crash victims including the Iju Ishaga ground victims without fail.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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