₦airaland Forum

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Kayode Opeifa, has apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over a recent altercation with the union.

Opeifa, in an exclusive telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, said he had “done the needful” in response to NUJ’s demand for an apology.

NAN recalls that the FCT Council of the NUJ, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, condemned the alleged harassment, intimidation, and verbal abuse meted out to Ladi Bala by Opeifa.

Bala, the Transport Correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abuja, is also the immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists.

She was reportedly assaulted on Wednesday while covering the aftermath of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.

Opeifa, however, told NAN he had apologised for the incident, saying he remained a friend of the media.

According to him, he has always identified as a unionist, having participated in union and human rights activities both in academia and other spheres of activism.

“My position is not to address the issue because it involves the NUJ, an organisation I was once part of, fought with, fought for, and cherished.

“The FCT Council of the NUJ even gave me an award in the past.

“I am a friend of NUJ and other unions, and I have journalist friends across the country, including a former Minister of Information and Culture, among many others.

“The NUJ demanded an apology from me, and as a friend of the house, I apologise for what happened and take full responsibility,” he said.

Opeifa added that he would not “dissipate further energy” discussing the matter, stressing that his focus remained on his national assignment in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Yesterday at the Villa, I did what others thought I would not do — I publicly apologised to the NUJ.

“I have also been in touch with several media leaders who reached out to me.

“They asked for an apology, and I have given it. I am leaving the rest to God, mankind, and humanity.

“I want to remain focused on my assignment,” Opeifa said.

slivertongue:
Tinibu recruited a lot of characters who are uncouth. They disrespect the citizens at any given chance

Sensiblerealist:
I was surprised it happened in the first place. He is not someone who acts rashly, something must have triggered that 'tirade'.
Now that he has done the needful, you all should let this slide and move on

Oblongata:
Yeah as the commissioner of transportation in Lagos, he was very calm, friendly and approachable.

ogododo:
“Yesterday at the Villa, I did what others thought I would not do — I publicly apologised to the NUJ.

“I have also been in touch with several media leaders who reached out to me.

“They asked for an apology, and I have given it. I am leaving the rest to God, mankind, and humanity.

“I want to remain focused on my assignment,” Opeifa said.

Oblongata:
Yeah as the commissioner of transportation in Lagos, he was very calm, friendly and approachable.

Oblongata:
Yeah as the commissioner of transportation in Lagos, he was very calm, friendly and approachable.

iampeterben:
Let's forgive him and try and move on. The way forward on the derailment is what should be in the minds of all.

Fujiyama:


Apology indeed.

The 'add-ons' and 'extras' show how BAT's people really feel. There is no real remorse, no humility, no contrition, nothing.

A simple 'I am sorry' is more powerful and sincere than all the pointless, unnecessary self adulation that this government's appointees are becoming notorious for - after they have goofed and been caught out.

Just say you are sorry and leave it at that. No need for all this backchat. No need to tell us you were asked (or begged) to apologize. No need to tell us you were once given an award (or ten) by the NUJ. No need to tell us you are a friend of the NUJ - and that was why you apologized. So if you weren't a friend of NUJ, you wouldn't have apologized?

Sensiblerealist:
Yeah you are right. Beyond that, I know him personally. He is a relative. So the thing shock me as confirmed