The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has called for the retraining of Ibom Air crew members following a recent incident involving the airline’s flight attendants and a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson. Osigwe made this statement during an appearance on a Television’s programme on Thursday.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive discussion around crew conduct, including appropriate etiquette and the proper legal procedures for enforcing airline bans in a respectful and lawful manner.
Osigwe criticized the actions of the airline staff who filmed the passenger during the altercation, stating that it exposed her “nudity” and subjected her to unnecessary public humiliation.
“The crew members need to be educated, assessed, and provided with continuous training,” Osigwe said. He took issue with what he described as the crew’s excessive sensitivity and failure to de-escalate the situation. “Their language, tone, and overall approach were uncalled for,” he added.
While highlighting the need for professional conduct among airline staff, the NBA President also noted that passengers have a responsibility to adhere to legal and behavioral standards while onboard.
“There’s a need for training across the board. Everyone on an aircraft has a role to play in maintaining order and ensuring a safe, respectful flying environment,” he concluded.
