Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, who was verbally attacked by former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, is to be honoured with “Resilient Journalist Award.”
The Zamfara State based politic group behind the award, Sha’aya’u S-Pawa Foundation, said arrangements were in top gear for the award.
According to its chairman, Alhaji Sha’aya Sarkin Fawa, in Gusau, on Friday, the group said it appreciated the maturity with which Charles handled his attacker.
“We feel he deserves strong respect and recognition,” he said.
The group added that the Resilient Journalist Award being planned would be a befitting one and that it was trying to reach Charles for the event.
Said the group’s chairman: “Fani-Kayode had earlier visited Zamfara and left on its trail some controversies that are still fresh in the memory of the people.
“The good journalist posture displayed by Charles gives more hope and belief to Nigerians that we still have good media professionals in the country.
“As Nigerians, we strongly believe that if the former minister is truly the activist he claims to be, he should come out in the public domain and answer the question asked by Charles.”
It would be recalled that Charles was described as “stupid” by Fani-Kayode for asking, at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State, who was bankrolling his project tour of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, states.
Fani-Kayode’s attack was widely condemned.
After a display of recalcitrance for some time, Fani-Kayode, who had vowed not to apologise to Charles caved in.
He tendered an unreserved apology to him, saying that by his action, he had disappointed himself, his family and his friends.
He expressed regret, saying his action was unbefitting of a public figure.
