Weekend Arena - Journalists Should Have Walked Out On FFK For Insulting Their Day Job..

The people are a reflection of the society they live in. 

No one looks at the mirror and sees an image different from his. The viral video showing Femi Fani Kayode’s acidic vituperation is reflective of the state of our politics and journalism. None can grow without the other. That is the pathetic situation the country has found itself. Worse is that little is being done to salvage the situation.

In the video, Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), renowned for many controversial comments that have often pitched him against people across tribal, political and social divides, was enraged over a question thrown at him by a journalist, Eyo Charles, who wanted to know how his several trips for project assessment in states such as Sokoto, Anambra and lately, Cross River are being bankrolled. In a manner unfit for his status as an ex-minister of the federal republic and an ex-presidential spokesman, FFK had scolded (more like a child) Charles Eyo, calling him ‘stupid’ repeatedly. What was his offence? Asking the offensive question!



Opinions have remained divided on the appropriateness of that question, but the answer lies in finding the thick line (it is not a thin line like people assume) between journalism and Public Relations. It is only for PR purposes, that you prep an interviewee ahead of a session and try to gag the questions people ask. That is more like a drama session, where a script (written or unwritten) is followed to achieve a particular promotional end. Such questions that leave interviewees calm and rubbing their chins with a sense of false pride are nothing but PR. Journalism probes to know that which is hidden, so if FFK has a problem with the question Charles Eyo asked, he should have directed his angst at his media aides, or the coordinator of the event who failed to do his or her job.



It is rather unfortunate that some senior journalists are blaming Eyo for asking such a question, which (arguably) is the most important question as far as that session, is concerned. Eyo has been called ‘inexperienced’, but I do not think so… may be he is inexperienced in asking the patronising questions that would have left FFK with his signature toothy smile. 

Eyo cannot call himself a journalist and fail to wonder how and why an individual is undertaking trips at his expense to assess projects around the country. Has the President made FFK the IGP, Inspector General of Projects without a formal announcement? It is appropriate to know if FFK runs a charity, interested in projects in states. It would be great to know if he would also be assessing projects by President Buhari soon.



The senior journalists calling Eyo names are probably those running the newsrooms the way Nigerian politicians have been running the country. They are perhaps those in charge of the newsrooms when Mr. Peter Obi was impeached as the Governor of Anambra State in a hotel room at Asaba, Delta State… without asking their reporters if they witnessed the impeachment process went ahead to put the story on their covers and national TVs. They are the ones who send reporters to Government Houses and end up turning them to Government House ambassadors in the various newsrooms. They willfully extend ‘coverage’ to ‘cover up’ in the various state houses.



With the permission and influence of these senior journalists, they let the Government Houses decide who should be posted or withdrawn from representing a medium; a trend that has buried so many facts about poor governance in the country. They are the ones who will not rise in defence of their reporters despite their ethical conduct in carrying out their duties. They are the ones who emboldened FFK to use that expression, ‘I will report you to your publisher’ in the hope that Eyo would be laid off for asking the uncomfortable question the next day.


It is pertinent to note that this ‘breed of senior journalists’ was with Eyo at that controversial event. One could see them in the journalist that told Eyo: 'have you seen your life?’. They were the ones who kept apologising to FFK for deriding one of them, instead of walking out collectively on him.

Some have blamed Eyo for looking on as he was being verbally abused, but I choose to believe that ‘his fuse’ is longer than FFK’s. I guess the situation was in check because a politician with ‘a short fuse, met a journalist with ‘a long fuse’.

With the unfortunate incident, one would be wondering what the various powerful associations or guilds in the journalism industry in Nigeria would do other than issuing a condemnatory press statement. But this, like other demeanours would be swept under the carpet. You will know when you consider the indifference with which they have handled the issue of backlog of salaries in media houses. If dwindling revenues in the sector is responsible for the economic woes, the union in such a sensitive sector should be convening summits to find solutions to the problems.

 What one hears instead is a convention, where a governor desperately seeking a re-election will appear as a guest speaker. I can’t help joining Bob Marley to sing, ‘Jah should never give power to the bald heads’.






Ngozi i am one of those on the side of the Journalist who asked that question...It is the kind of question i would have asked..In Fact i would have asked him how much he was given.....

A press conference affords a journalist the right to ask questions and gives the convener the chance to sell himself/herself to the listening audience....

God knows if i was the one called such names,I would have boldly replied and told him my mind and not keep quiet and watch him blow air into his stiff shoulders....

Imagine him saying nobody can give him money.....Hellooooooooo? Can i please speak to governor Ben Ayade? :LMAO!!!!