Principal Officers of the National Conference Apologise to Journalists Principal officers of the National Conference has appealed to journalists covering the National Conference to sheathe their sword after disagreement over the manner in which they were told to step out of the conference venue on Wednesday morning to enable delegates discuss the report of the Committee on National Security. Leading other principal officers and some media professionals among the delegates, the Vice Chairman of the National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, tendered an unreserved apology to journalists, calling them partners in progress. Stressing the importance of the conference and going down memory lane on how the agitation for the National Conference sprouted through the advocacy of the likes of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief Gani Fawehinmi etc., and with active support from the press, Professor Akinyemi declares that the ongoing national conference convened by President Jonathan is “not just a picnic for me.” Professor Akinyemi declares further that “the success and failure of this conference depends on you (the press).” He appeals to journalists not to abandon the ideals of the national conference halfway. “Let us not lose focus of the message.” He continues, “I came out of the conference to apologise to you. Don’t take offence. Let us continue the partnership. I hope you will take this issue behind us. Once again, accept my full apology for what took place inside there.” Also appealing to the journalists, the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communication of the National Conference, Mr. James Akpandem, apologized to the journalists for what happened. According to him, “The Chairman did not mean to insult you. I want to appeal to all of you to calm down and listen to what we have to say. The chairman has apologized for what he said and we want you all to come back when the executive session is over to cover the adoption of the recommendations of the committee after lunch break.” Two delegates representing the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Conference, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Zoro and Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, also joined the principal officers in appealing to the journalists.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 22:08:56 +0000
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