Fani-Kayode: Cross River NUJ Directs Members To Boycott Govt Activities

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, has directed its members to henceforth boycott the activities of the state government in protest against the verbal attack on its member, Eyo Charles of Daily Trust Newspaper, by former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Punch reports that in a nine-point communiqué issued on Friday after a Thursday emergency congress, the council said in the communiqué, signed by the chairman of the council, Victor Udu, and Secretary, Oka Ibor, that the union had blacklisted the former minister from all media activities in the state.

“Congress further blacklists the Government of Cross River State from any media coverage by all the members of Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state for organising an illegal press conference thereby creating a platform for Fani-Kayode to abuse and insult a journalist, Mr Eyo Charles of the Daily Trust Newspaper,” it added.

While noting that it stood by Eyo, the congress directed the state council to issue warning letters to members who attended the press conference but did not do anything to protect their colleague. It added that each of them should write an apology letter through the state council to the national leadership of the union.

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The congress also mandated the council to immediately communicate in writing to all media organisations to withdraw their correspondents from the Government House and stop them from covering or reporting any activity of the state government until the issue is resolved.

The communiqué added, “Congress hereby resolves that henceforth all press briefings by any individual(s), public or private organisations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as may be directed by the state council.

“Congress hereby thanks the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, 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.”