NAWOJ FCT Condemns Harassment Of Former National President By NRC MD
Harassment and intimidation remain a major obstacle faced by women journalists in Nigeria, with many encountering verbal abuse, threats, and attempts to discredit their professionalism simply for doing their jobs.
The latest incident involves Comrade Ladi Bala, a respected journalist and former National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), who was subjected to verbal assault by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa.
According to the NAWOJ Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, Opeifa hurled derogatory words such as “You are stupid” at Bala while on official assignment in Abuja. He allegedly went further to shame her with remarks about her dressing, an act NAWOJ described as gender-based humiliation.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Chairperson Bassey Ita Ikpang and Secretary Nkiru Okeke, NAWOJ FCT said the action was not only an attack on Bala’s dignity but also a direct assault on press freedom.
“It is shameful that in 2025, when women are breaking barriers and resisting discrimination, the head of a government agency would attempt to silence and intimidate a woman journalist with insults, threats, and character assassination,” the statement read.
The association demanded an immediate public apology from the NRC boss, a full-scale investigation, and stronger institutional safeguards to protect women journalists from gender-based harassment.
NAWOJ FCT reaffirmed its solidarity with Bala, stressing that no journalist should ever be subjected to degrading treatment while carrying out their constitutional duty.
