NRC MD Opeifa Apologizes to Journalist Ladi Bala, Declares her Media Advocacy Ambassador
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has bowed to public pressure, tendering an open apology to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) journalist, Comrade Ladi Bala, after he verbally assaulted her during coverage of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment.
In a reconciliatory gesture, he also honoured her with the title of Ambassador for Media Advocacy.
Opeifa, who addressed a press conference at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, admitted that his outburst at the accident scene was regrettable and unworthy of a leader.
He said: “I acted under pressure while trying to coordinate rescue operations. In the heat of the moment, I uttered unkind words for which I take full responsibility. To Comrade Bala, the NTA, NAWOJ, and the wider journalism community, I offer my fullest apology.”
The NUJ FCT Council had earlier condemned his remarks, described them as dehumanizing and a violation of press freedom. Bala, a former president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was carrying out her professional duty when the incident occurred.
Providing updates on the derailment, Opeifa revealed that 618 passengers were on board when eight coaches and a locomotive went off track. About 20 passengers sustained injuries, seven of them critically.
He said the NRC swung into action within 45 minutes, deployed replacement coaches, activated passenger contact-tracing, and engaged agencies including NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, FCT Administration, and the Nigerian military.
He praised the swift response of emergency teams, noted that lives were saved by the prompt actions of soldiers, police, and local vigilantes. He also said he personally visited some of the injured in hospitals, including one who had been evacuated to Zaria.
The NRC boss stressed that he has a long history of activism and collaboration with the press, recalling his role in the Campaign for Democracy, ASUU struggles, and the June 12 movement. “I have fought alongside journalists before; I am not their enemy,” he declared, while also pointing out that half of the corporation’s management directors are women promoted strictly on merit.
Chairperson of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed the apology as a positive step but maintained that the council has zero tolerance for harassment of journalists. “We will continue to defend press freedom and resist intimidation.
With Comrade Ladi Bala now honoured as NRC’s Ambassador for Media Advocacy, we expect more campaigns to promote the welfare and development of journalists, especially in the FCT,” she said.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, who accompanied Opeifa, praised his humility in apologizing and pledged continued collaboration between the presidency, NRC, and the media.