ABUJA — The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has tendered a public apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, and a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ladi Bala, following an assault during the coverage of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.
Opeifa, who addressed journalists at the NUJ FCT secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, admitted to making unkind remarks under pressure at the derailment site and expressed regret over the incident.
“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),” he said.
“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.”
The NUJ FCT had earlier condemned the assault and demanded a public apology from the NRC boss, describing the treatment of its members at the derailment site as unacceptable.
Chairperson of NUJ FCT, Grace Ike, urged journalists to remain calm, assuring them that the union had secured the apology it demanded.
The incident stemmed from last Tuesday’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment in Jere, which left six passengers injured.
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