ABUJA: Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC, Kayode Opeifa, has come under intense fire by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Federal Capital Territory FCT chapter, over what it described as the “disgraceful harassment and verbal assault” of its member and former National President, Comrade Ladi Bala.
The incident reportedly occurred in Abuja while Bala was on an official assignment, when Opeifa allegedly hurled insults at her, including the words, “You are stupid”, and attempted to shame her with gender-based remarks about her dressing.
In a statement jointly signed by its chairperson, Bassey Ita Ikpang, and secretary, Nkiru Okereke, NAWOJ condemned the NRC boss’s conduct as “a gross violation of human dignity and a direct attack on press freedom.”
“It is shameful that in 2025, when women are breaking barriers and fighting against all forms of discrimination and gender-based violence, the head of a government agency would attempt to silence and intimidate a woman journalist with insults, threats of job loss, and character assassination,” the association declared.
NAWOJ described Bala as a highly respected professional known for her decency and commitment to ethical journalism, stressing that Opeifa’s outburst was “unacceptable and unbecoming of a public officer.”
The women journalists demanded an immediate public apology from Opeifa to Bala and the journalism profession at large, a full-scale investigation into the matter, and the establishment of stronger institutional safeguards to protect women in the media from intimidation and gender-based harassment.
“NAWOJ FCT stands firmly with Comrade Ladi Bala and reiterates that no journalist should ever be subjected to degrading treatment for performing their constitutional duty. We will continue to resist all forms of abuse, intimidation, and discrimination against women in the media space,” the statement added.
