Gbenro Adesina
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State, today condemned the verbal insult and abuse hauled on Eyo Charles, a reporter of the Daily Trust Newspapers by the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and noted that such words could only come out of the lips of a frustrated, immature, bankrupt, irresponsible and unsteady mind.
This was the position of the Union after an Emergency meeting held to deliberate on the recent outburst of Fani-Kayode on Eyo at a press conference in the state
The Union equally blacklisted the former Minister of Aviation from all media activities in the State.
According to a communiqués issued at the end of the meeting, which was signed by the Chairman, Communiqué drafting Committee, Richard Ndoma and NUJ State Secretary, Oka Ibor, the Union further blacklisted Fani-Kayode from all media activities in the State.
The communiqué read in parts:
“Congress condemns the verbal insult and abuse from FFK and noted that such words could only come out of the lips of a frustrated, immature, bankrupt, irresponsible and unsteady mind and accordingly blacklisted the former Minister of Aviation from all media activities in the State.
“Congress further blacklists the Government of Cross River State from any media coverage by all members of Nigeria Union of Journalist in the State for organising an illegal press conference thereby creating a platform for FFK to abuse and insult a journalist, Mr. Eyo Charles of the Daily Trust Newspaper.
“It mandated the State Council to immediately communicate in writing to all media organisations to withdraw their correspondents from Government House and stop them from covering or reporting any activity of the State Government until the issue is resolved.
“Congress restates its total support for and stand with the Daily Trust Correspondent, Eyo Charles on the question that resulted to the unprovoked outburst.
“Congress also directs the State Council to issue warning letters to members, who attended the press conference and did not do anything to protect their colleague, after, which, each of them is to individually write an apology letter through the State Council to the National Leadership of the Union with a firm promise never to violet the rules and regulations guiding the Journalism practice.
“Congress hereby resolves that henceforth, all press briefings by any individual(s), public or private organisations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as maybe directed by the State Council.
“It warned that any journalist that organises or attends any press briefing not approved by the State Council shall be sanctioned
“In line with NEC resolution on the proscription of beats, Congress directs the immediate proscription of the illegally operated Cross River State Government House Press Corps.
“Congress hereby thanks the National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Management of Daily Trust Newspaper, Civil Societies, Community Based and Faith-based Organisations, religious leaders, members of local and international organisations, groups and individuals for defending the truth”.
