Oyo state journalists boycott Fani-Kayode press conference in Ibadan

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council on Monday ordered its members to ignore a closed invitation of a press conference to be hold by the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode in Ibadan

Penpushing reports that, Chairman of the union, Demola Babalola made this known on a Fresh F.M 105.9, declaring that no journalist should attend any media parley with the former Minister of Aviation in solidarity with the profession which was recently debased by Fani-Kayode.

‘Some selected journalists had received a closed invitation to attend the planned event at 11am today but the leadership of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has told journalists to boycott the event’, Babalola said.

‘The earlier invitation sent to journalists reads: “You are specially invited to a media parley with Femi Fani Kayode(FFK). Venue-Chalton Gate Hotel, Ibadan.  Time -11am Note: strictly by invitation.”

The situation in Ibadan comes on the heel of the recent former Minister’s violent and insulting outburst against Daily Trust’s Charles Eyo at a similar media parley in Calabar, Cross River State.

Penpushing also reports that, it is recalled that journalists in Akwa Ibom State had also shunned a planned press conference in solidarity with their colleagues in Cross River State, though Fani-Kayode had voiced out an apology, journalist across the nation still regard the Calabar episode as a deliberate attack on free press and his apology, an after thought which was only carried out to ensure full completion of his tour of some states, a tour many believe is still too hazy to understand its purpose.