
Eyo Charles
Journalist assaulted by Fani-Kayode bags U.S Award

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Nigerian journalist, Mr. Eyo Charles who was assaulted by Nigeria’s Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has been conferred with ‘Global Town Crier Media Award’.


The award is courtesy of TipsNews, a member of Online News Association (ONA) in the United States of America.
Mr. Charles, who works with Daily Trust Newspapers had, during a press conference last year asked the former aviation minister who is bankrolling his trips across the country.
The former minister had before his project tour of Cross River State visited other states in the country to inspect projects and assess the performance of other governors.
Charles was curious over the basis of his national tours to inspect governments’ projects all over Nigeria, considering that FFK left government over 12 years ago, and was not even a party official.
When asked who is bankrolling his trips, the former minister flared up with the journalist and rained insults on him.
He called him unprintable names, denigrated and abused him while Mr. Charles maintained his calm.
He also threatened to report Mr. Charles to his publishers for asking such a question before calling off the press conference.
Francis John, founder of TipsNews, in a letter of congratulations to the journalist said Charles acted maturely and was very courageous to ask a former minister of aviation in Nigeria, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode a probing question last year, October 20.
The question had drawn the ire of the ex-minister so that he verbally assaulted the journalist at the press conference,
“Your conduct during the saga was really exemplary and commendable.
“Also, your methodology of reporting used at this instance; is exemplary, indifferent from any international standard of real-time whistleblowing.
“You have acted in a proper manner expected in investigative journalism; reporting unethical or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by public officials who do not conform to high moral standard.
“This recognition is a tip-off received from our freelance global volunteers’ resident at your domain.
“Your commentary was reviewed by our team of experts, and thought it necessary to accord you this accolade of ‘Global Town Crier Media Award’.
“This award will be recommended to other international associates.”
He said part of their commitment to the Nigerian journalist will be further professional training and would require his willingness to support their media programmes and public service causes.
John added that the award is to encourage courageous journalists like Eyo Charles and to assure that the world is watching them from everywhere for their fearless and selfless services.