Femi Fani-Kayode is a man of many track records and theatrics. Above all, he has gathered more public backlash in the past days than ever before.
It is often said that you should not tell a person how to react when they are angered. However, admitting oneās wrong doing and apologizing afterward cannot undo the hurt that suffixed the anger.
On August 20, 2020, Nigerian politician and former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode had a press briefing in Calabar. This was as part of his “Tour of Good Governanceāā in the southern part of the country.
After taking a round of questions from journalists, a reporter with Daily Trust newspaper, Charles Eyo asked, āāPlease sir, you did not tell us who is bankrolling your trips.āā That was the last straw which broke the camelās back.
(Photo Source: Kemi Olunloyo)
The response from the PDP statesman was unpalatable. He became garrulous as he spewed words that flapped his wings of power and privilege.
āWhat type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? What sort of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? Who can give me money to do anything? Who do you think you are talking to? Bankroll what? Go and report yourself to your publisher. Please donāt insult me here. I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Donāt ever talk to me like that….”
“Who do you think you are talking to? Bankroll who? You have a small mind; very small mind. Donāt judge me by your own standards. I have been in politics since 1990; I am not one of those politicians you follow for brown envelope. Donāt ever judge me by that standard. I spend; I donāt take. And I am not a poor man; I have never been and I will never be. Bankroll how? Donāt ever suggest that to meā¦. That was deeply insulting. I donāt often get annoyedā¦. I have a very short fuseā¦..ā Femi Fani-Kayode, August 20, 2020.
Femi Fani-Kayode Vs Nigerian Journalists: A Case Study on Bullying
Beyond his crass vituperations, Fani-Kayode spate words that demeaned the 53-year-old journo who was carrying out his duty.
However, letās take some seconds to analyze the question from the journalist which seemed like a conclusion that the trips of the former aviation minister, former culture and tourism minister, lawyer, politician, essayist, lawyer, father, husband, and son of Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode, is being bankrolled by āāsomeoneāā.
In Fani-Kayodeās words, does Eyo know who he is? Now that we have rolled out his achievements, can we now comfortably say that the journalist, who is a Bishop in the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (also known as Olumba Olumba Obu), a family man and a decent earner of his monthly pay; who has no track record of criminality and unruly behavior; has every right to ask Mr. Fani-Kayode that question?
Irrespective of how the words were coined, the most important thing here is that the question was valid. A simple answer like, “I am not being bankrolled by anyone. I am financially capable to pay my bills” would have prevented the ‘killing of a mosquito with a sledge hammer.’
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With the turn of events, the journalist must have learnt to stand his ground after asking a question.
It is pertinent to note that Eyo is not the first journalist to be called āāstupidāā by the former minister. The latter has a track record of unruly responses during interviews.
Veteran Journalist, Mr Femi Okutubo recently suffered the same fate. We could conclude that Fani-Kayode thrives on mortifying people with repulsive words. He needs to take a chill pill and calm down small-small.
Divided we fall
Journalists must be taught more about the ethics of their job. This is not to debase the efforts of the distinguished media reps. However, the question wasn’t a question at all. But rather a statement ā āāSir, you have not told us who is bankrolling your tripsāā – which hurt the ego of the former minister who then proceeded to roll out his autobiography, as usual. “I started politics in 1990!āā he thundered.
Unfortunately, the other journalists did not defend their colleague. And Charles Eyo cowed to the uncouth utterances of Fani-Kayode when he stood and said, “I am sorry sir.āā He had a right to defend his question and rebuke the minister for insulting him in the line of his job. But the reverse was the case.
Looking at it from another angle, we should cut the journalist some slack. He is one of many Nigerian employees who have to endure abuse and horrendous working conditions, yet they still have to deliver on their jobs.
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Mr. Eyo is a perfect representation of millions of employees who do not want to jeopardize their livelihood by getting into trouble with the bosses.
Before we knock him for cowering, letās think of our family members and friends who have lost their jobs because one āābigāā superior at their work place haunted them and terminated their employment for no tangible reason.
Many persons have had to suffer humiliation because they do not want to go hungry. Also, some persons who are enduring these harsh treatments will still say that Mr. Eyo should not have apologized; which I totally agree to. However, who wears the shoe knows where it pinches.
Knocks for Femi Fani-Kayode, Mr. Short Fuse
Respect is supposed to be earned irrespective of one’s age. But some persons have decided to make money as a prerequisite for it. Eyo may not be financially rich as Fani-Kayode but he is doing an honest job. He has integrity and he is a law abiding citizen. He has no track record of wrong doing.
The former aviation minister stated that he does not often get annoyed. However, he is short fused. This is the part he shot himself on the foot. In his track record, Fani-Kayode is known to use vulgar words while giving his opinions on issues.
Equally, we can say that he uses uncouth words in the same measure that President Muhammadu Buhari uses the word āāFellow Nigeriansāā while addressing his citizens.
There are ways to address issues without being insulting. That is what makes you matured and a leader. If you cannot handle questions from the press, there is no need to honor press conferences.
Brown Envelopes, the Bane of every Profession
From the health sector, to the security department in the country, to educational institutions, and the media houses, brown envelope syndrome has washed the integrity of SOME practitioners. They constantly slaughter the need to stand for a cause without fear or favor.
Brown envelopes syndrome is the younger sibling of bribery. The act of collecting the envelope -brown, white, or electronic, has killed the confidence of many professionals to speak without any form of influence.
Regrettably, some journalists cannot speak the truth without mincing words because they have received an envelope to perform their duties at one point or the other.
Getting facts right becomes a herculean task because they can be choked by the remnants of the stomach infrastructure that complements their jobs.
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As a journalist, when you desire to condemn the ills of a politician, you check your deeds if it has not been stained by the gesture of that man you want to write about. Your acts will find you.
Just as we run Nigerian journalists under the bus for collecting brown envelopes, can we also tackle their employers for their poor pay? I have watched journalists who worked for a private television station protest the non-payment of their salaries.
Shamefully, some of them even shielded their faces from the camera as they carried placards, because – months worked, yet salaries unpaid. Meanwhile, that private media house is known to hold live campaigns of political parties across the country.
The journalists will definitely not eat their passion. A good remuneration is a motivation for hard work. It blesses the diligent more than when they are told words like āāGod bless youāā and āāplease bear with the companyāā in place of their salaries.
Reactions Trail the āāBankrollingāā Incident
Citizens, notable individuals, Nigerian Union of Journalists and others concerned have responded to the trending news.
Femi Fani-Kayode has since apologised, after initially taken back the word āāstupidāā which he used to address Charles Eyo. However, it may be worth also apologising to Femi Okutubo and other journalists who have been on the receiving end of his foul mouth caused by his self acclaimed short fuse.
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