…Names Ladi Bala as NRC’s ambassador for media advocacy
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, on Sunday, August 31, 2025, publicly tendered an apology to the Nigerian media for verbally assaulting a female journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Ladi Bala while she was covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
Opeifa, who tendered the apology at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja, said his unguarded and verbal assault on Comrade Bala, who is the immediate past National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), were made under intense pressure owing to the crisis he was handling over the derailed train.
Comrade Bala, was reportedly subjected to unprovoked verbal attacks by Dr. Opeifa while performing her official duties at the scene of the derailed train.
The NUJ FCT Council led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, quickly took up the matter and condemned Dr. Opeifa’s conduct, describing it as dehumanizing and a serious violation of press freedom.
However, in his apology, Opeifa explained that his comments were misunderstood as hostility towards the media, saying; “I wish to sincerely apologize for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on both the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ.
“Acting under pressure and in the heat of the moment while trying to ensure safety, I uttered some unkind words for which I take full responsibility,” he said.
In recognition of Comrade Bala’s resilience, professionalism, and dedication to factual reporting in spite of the assault on her, Dr. Opeifa bestowed on her the honorary title of “Ambassador for Media Advocacy of the NRC.”
Dr. Opeifa tendered a direct apology to Comrade Bala, acknowledging she bore the brunt of his earlier comments:
In the words of Opeifa; “To her, I offer my fullest apology. I also extend the same to the NTA, NAWOJ, and the wider journalism community.”
The MD of the NRC said that he is a longtime advocate for human rights and trade unionism, recalling his history with the Campaign for Democracy, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at LASU, and involvement in the June 12 struggle.
“I have fought alongside journalists before; I am not their enemy. The media remain our partners, not adversaries. We will deepen collaboration with the NUJ, NAWOJ, and civil society to promote transparency and public trust,” he assured.
Opeifa also highlighted NRC’s gender-inclusive policies, saying that 50% of the corporation’s management are women that were promoted on merit, thus reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the media to advance railway development and provide accurate and timely information.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, while welcoming the public apology as a step toward rebuilding trust, said the Union would continue to defend press freedom and resist intimidation.
Ike stressed that the NUJ FCT has zero tolerance for intimidation, harassment of journalists, saying; “we will persist in fighting for our members’ rights and freedom of speech, which is a right and not a privilege.
She said; “I am pleased the MD has joined us in opposing harassment and intimidation of journalists and will champion this cause.
“With Comrade Ladi Bala as the NRC’s Ambassador for Media Advocacy, we anticipate increased media activities and campaigns promoting the welfare and development of Nigerian journalists, especially in the FCT,” Ike stressed.
Speaking in turn, Mr Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, who accompanied Dr. Opeifa, praised Opeifa’s humility in offering the apology and pledged collaboration between the presidency, the NRC, and the media.
