The former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Chief Fani Kayode has written to the president of Nigeria Union of Journalists apologizing for his ungentlemanly outburst during a press conference in Cross River State.
In a letter tagged “Expression of Regret”, Fani Kayode said that he sincerely regret the verbal altercation he had with Charles Eyo, a DailyTrust journalist who asked him during a press conference whether he is been bankrolled for his trips.
Kayode also prayed that his cordial relationship with the Union will continue as it has always been.
The full text of the letter reads;
My recent verbal altercation with a member of your union, who is the Cross River State Correspondent of Daily Trust newspaper during a Press Conference I addressed in Calabar refers.
I wish to convey my regrets to the reporter for my response to him and I also wish to express my regrets to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and members of the Nigerian media, whom I hold in high esteem.
I believe that my reaction was disproportionate and unduly harsh even though I felt deeply provoked by the fact that the reporter asserted that I was being bankrolled by somebody for something that I was funding entirely on my own.
I do hope that our relationship will continue as it has always been.
Thanks for your understanding and be rest assured that I not only hold you, your union and your members in high esteem but that I also remain one of those that is committed to press freedom and free speech in our country.
I consider myself to be a friend, a supporter and a strong ally of the Nigerian media and my hitherto excellent relationship with members of your organisation and your colleagues spanning over the last thirty years proves this to be the case. I wish you all the very best.