Journalists Storm Fani-Kayode’s Akwa Ibom Press Conference, Defy NUJ’s Directive

By Our Correspondent

A cross sections of journalists Friday afternoon attended the Press Conference organised by the former minister of aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom state in respect of his South-South governments’ project tour.

At the conference attended by the state governor, Udom Emmanuel and other state officials, while the event was aired live on social media, the room was filled to capacity with microphones of AIT, Arise TV among others were conspicuously placed before Fani-Kayode.

However, attending the conference is contrary to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom chapter’s earlier directive mandating its members to boycott all activities of Fani-Kayode in the state.

Fani-Kayode who is on a tour in the South-South States, arrived Uyo and was received by the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

A statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk and the Secretary, Comrade Dominic Akpan, had directed its members not to be a part of the former Minister of Aviation activities anywhere in the state.

The NUJ’s decision follows the outburst of Fani-Kayode on Eyo Charles, a journalist with Daily Trust Newspaper in Calabar, Cross River State.

“Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has directed its members to boycott a press conference planned for Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation.

“This came days after Fani-Kayode insulted a journalist for asking him what he described as a “stupid question” at a press conference after his tour of Cross River state.

“In line with the disposition of the national leadership of our great Union, the State Council has directed that no journalist should attend a media parley with Femi Fani-Kayode or any of his activity at any location in Akwa Ibom State. The NUJ is not part of the visit,” the statement read in part.

According to the communique issued at the end of an emergency congress of the Cross River State council of NUJ held on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, jointly signed by Richard Ndoma, the State Chairman and Oka Ibo, State Secretary, the NUJ resolved as follows:
1. 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.

2. 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 organizing an illegal press conference thereby creating a platform for FFK to abuse and insult a journalist, Mr. Eyo Charles of the Daily Trust Newspaper.

3. 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.

4. Congress restates it’s total support for and stand with the Daily Trust Correspondent, Eyo Charles on the question that resulted to the unprovoked outburst.

5. Congress also directs that 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.

6. Congress hereby resolve that henceforth all press briefings by any individual(s), public or private organizations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as maybe directed by the State Council.

7. It warned that any journalist that organizes or attends any press briefing not approved by the State Council shall be sanctioned.

8. 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.

9. 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.