Call for Public Apology, Investigation into Alledged Gender-Based Harassment
The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and prominent voices in Nigeria’s media industry have expressed outrage over the alleged public assault, intimidation, and humiliation of the immediate past President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Ladi Bala, by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred while Ladi Bala, a respected journalist and former leader of NAWOJ, was carrying out her legitimate professional duties. The NCWS National President, Princess Edna D. D. Azura, in a strongly worded statement on Saturday, described the act as “shameful, dehumanizing, and an affront to the dignity of every Nigerian woman.”
“It is unacceptable that a woman performing her duty as a journalist should be subjected to such degrading treatment,” Azura declared. “This is not only an assault on Comrade Ladi Bala but also an attack on the dignity of every Nigerian woman.”
The NCWS called for an unreserved public apology from Mr. Opeifa and demanded that the NRC put in place measures to prevent such acts of intimidation and gender-based violence in the future. The organization urged government institutions, civil society groups, and the media to unite against workplace harassment and uphold the rights of women and the girl child.
Adding her voice, veteran journalist and former NAWOJ leader, Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, condemned the incident as “a disgraceful abuse of office and a direct assault on media freedom in Nigeria.” She noted that the attack underscores the persistent risks faced by journalists and women professionals in the workplace.
“For too long, journalists have faced undue attacks for speaking truth and informing the public. This latest assault is one too many,” Makanjuola said. “The injury inflicted on our sister, Comrade Ladi Bala, is not only a personal affront but also a direct attack on press freedom.”
She further criticized the reported denigration of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) during the altercation, describing it as “unacceptable conduct by a senior public officer towards a government institution of repute.”
While acknowledging reports that Mr. Opeifa had shown willingness to issue an apology through the FCT NUJ, Makanjuola insisted that the first step must be directed at the victim:
“Comrade Ladi Bala must be personally pacified and publicly apologized to, as she is the one left with the trauma of this uncouth act. Thereafter, a formal apology should be extended to the NTA and professional bodies whose members were undermined.”
Beyond apologies, Makanjuola stressed the need for a full investigation, enforcement of workplace codes of conduct, and mandatory training for senior officials on gender sensitivity and ethics.
Both women leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defending press freedom, workplace dignity, and the rights of women in Nigeria, vowing to monitor the case until justice and accountability are achieved.
