Following the recent assault on a journalist by the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-kayode, FFK, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has ordered a boycott of all media parley, press briefings and any activities of the former minister in the state.
FFK arrived Akwa Ibom State Thursday night via Victor Attah International Airport in continuation of his controversial states tour and was received into Akwa Ibom State Government House by the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council, Mr Amos Etuk and Dominic Akpan respectively, the decision to backout of FFK’s activities in the state is in line with the disposition of the national leadership of the body.
“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 release noted.
Mr Femi Fani Kayode, the former Minister of Aviation was seen in a viral video verbal attacked a correspondent of Daily Trust newspapers in Cross River state, during a media to cap his guided tour of projects in Cross River state.
Meanwhile, Journalists and other concerned individuals in the society have since FFK’s arrival in Akwa Ibom State called on the union to order a boycott of his activities in the state in protest of his unguarded and uncouth utterrances on a journalist.
For Abasifreke Effiong, a journalist based in Uyo who wrote on his Facebook timeline calling for a boycott of FFK’s activities in the state, said “injury to one is injury to all.”
His comment reads in part: “FFK’s attack on the journalist has been widely condemned by NUJ, and millions of right-thinking Nigerians. His action, to say the least, was the height of insult anyone has meted out on a journalist and a member of NUJ in Nigeria in recent times.
“Barely 72 hours after the video of FFK’s attack on that Correspondent in Cross River surfaced on social media, photos have been served up on Facebook showing that the former minister is in Akwa Ibom state for the same purpose he was in Cross River State for.
“As much as the government of Akwa Ibom state has received him, I use this medium to call on the Akwa Ibom state leadership of NUJ led by Comrade Amos Etuk, the leadership of Correspondents’ chapel in Akwa Ibom state led by Idongesit Ashameri, and indeed all journalists in Akwa Ibom state to boycott all events in the State that will be convened by FFK or have him in attendance.
“FFK has clearly shown that he does not respect journalists. The Daily Trust correspondent is not the only journalist FFK has abused, insulted and shouted at for asking him a question. On Thursday, Premium Times reported another case of verbal assault on a journalist by FFK.
“FFK may also come to Akwa Ibom well prepared to insult yet another journalist. Journalists in Akwa Ibom should protect themselves from this chronic abuser and other forms of abuse from weak -minded persons like FFK by boycotting activities lined up for his personal- interest-driven visit to our state.
“We must stand up for one another and stand against persons and forces which are out to insult us. Journalism is a respected profession as other noble professions are; NUJ owes her members a duty to protect them from all forms of influence, harassment and intimidation.
“Whatever action NUJ in Akwa Ibom state takes in relation to FFK’s visit to the state will go a long way to define our self-worth as professionals and shape the way other members of the public will deal with us going forward,” Abasifreke remarked.
