The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has tendered a public apology to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) following his assault on Ladi Bala, a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Opeifa offered the apology during a press conference at the NUJ FCT secretariat in Abuja on Sunday.
His apology followed NUJ’s condemnation of the treatment meted out to its members who were covering last week’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment in Jere, which left six passengers injured. The union had demanded a formal public apology from the NRC boss.
Admitting fault, Opeifa said he acted in the heat of the moment while under pressure.
“I wish to offer my apology for the regrettable remarks I made, which were not only directed at a seasoned journalist but also reflected unfavourably on the NUJ FCT and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). Acting in the heat of the moment under pressure, and in my attempt to ensure safety, I made certain unkind statements. For this, I take full responsibility, and I am sorry,” he said.
Chairman of NUJ FCT, Grace Ike, urged journalists to remain calm and assured members that the union had addressed the matter.