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Assault On Daily Trust Journalist, Fani-Kayode Apologises

Following public outcry over the verbal attack of a journalist with the Daily Trust newspapers, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has issued an apology to the reporter.

In a viral video, Fani-Kayode was seen verbally attacking journalist, Eyo Charles in Calabar Cross River State during a press conference.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the attack and so many prominent journalists in and outside Nigeria.

Daily Trust had in a statement defended the reporter against Fani-Kayode’s verbal abuse and said they would hold the former minister responsible should any harm come to their reporter.

So is not surprising that FFK has tendered an apology under 24 hours. The tweets read thus,

“I met with my advisors till late last night and I wish to say the following. I hereby withdraw the word “stupid” which I used in my encounter with a journalist in Calabar.

I have many friends in the media who I offended by losing my cool and using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.

I do however wish to state categorically that no threat of physical harm was ever made to the journalist in question and neither did I send anyone to threaten him. Anyone that says otherwise is lying and I challenge them to bring the proof.

I would never seek to physically harm a journalist. For the last 30 years I have defended and worked with journalists and fought for the right of freedom of expression.

I am also very close to many in that profession. I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honorable and noble within its ranks.

I hope that this will assuage the pain and anger of anyone that was hurt or offended by this ugly episode. I have now put this matter behind me and moved on. Now my tour of the South continues. Moving to yet another state today!”