Journalists in Oyo state who attended the media parley organized by former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode will face the disciplinary panel of the association, insideoyo.com reports.
The Oyo state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, made the resolution at the executive council meeting held on Monday.
Insideoyo.com recalls that the leadership of Oyo NUJ had instructed its members to boycott the media parley called by Fani Kayode in solidarity with a Daily Trust journalist in Cross Rivers state who the former minister called “stupid” for asking him who is bankrolling his trips.
The union chairman, Mr. Ademola Babalola described the parley as “unfortunate” noting that it is important for journalists to support a common cause.
The statement issued at the end of the meeting read: “following the reported Media Parley attended by some members of the NUJ, against the prevailing fouled up atmosphere by a former Aviation Minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode by his recent unguarded statement on a Daily Trust Newspaper Correspondent in Calabar, Eyo Charles, the executive of the Union met on Monday in Ibadan and resolved as follows:-
“That the union viewed the parley FFK had with with some of our colleagues at Agodi Government House as unfortunate
“That the members concerned have been chastised by the Chairman, Ademola Babalola who expressed serious misgivings on their attitude during a live Radio programme on Monday morning.
“That the executive commended the Chairman for rising to the occasion to save the image of the union from ruins by his conduct so far.
“The Council agreed that the concerned members be referred to the NUJ Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
“The Union commended the over 90% of members who shunned the event for being great compatriots
“The Union appealed to members to always solidarise with their colleagues and be their brother’s keeper because ‘our union makes us strong’.”