28 August 2020
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Cross River has amongst other things, blacklisted the Government of Cross River State over the recent altercation between former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and the state correspondent of the Daily Trust, Eyo Charles NEGROIDHAVEN can say authoritatively.
This development is contained in a communique issued on Thursday after an emergency press conference convened in Calabar metropolis.
While condemning Fani-Kayode and describing the purported press conference where the incident occurred as illegal, she ordered the withdrawal of correspondents from Government House until the issue is resolved, queried other members of NUJ for frowning at their colleague Eyo Charles during the illegal beat while demanding an apology from them to the national body.
See full details of the communique:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY CONGRESS OF THE CROSS RIVER STATE COUNCIL OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 AT THE ERNEST ETIM BASSEY PRESS CENTRE, CALABAR
Arising from the recent outburst from the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode with the Cross River State Correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, Mr. Eyo Charles during an illegal press conference organized by the Cross River State Government, on Thursday, August 20, 2020 and subsequent reaction from deferent segments of the society, the Cross River State Council of NUJ held an emergency congress to appraised the various issues that emerged from that event.
Accordingly, after exhaustive deliberations and contributions from members the Congress hereby resolves 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.
Richard Ndoma
Communiqué drafting Committee
Oka Ibor
State Secretary, NUJ
Victor Udu
State Chairman, NUJ
