The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, has issued a formal apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) following a recent confrontation with the union. Mr. Opeifa confirmed that he had complied with the union’s request for an apology, stating he had “done the needful.”This development follows a statement from the FCT Council of the NUJ, signed by its Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, which condemned the alleged harassment, intimidation, and verbal abuse directed at Ladi Bala, a Transport Correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists. The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday while she was covering the aftermath of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.Addressing the matter, Mr. Opeifa told NAN he had apologized for the incident and reaffirmed his status as a longtime friend of the media. He highlighted his own background as a unionist and human rights activist in academia and other spheres.“My position is not to address the issue because it involves the NUJ, an organisation I was once part of, fought with, fought for, and cherished,” Opeifa stated. He noted that the FCT Council of the NUJ had even honored him with an award in the past.Emphasizing his media connections, which include a former Minister of Information and Culture, Opeifa stated, “The NUJ demanded an apology from me, and as a friend of the house, I apologise for what happened and take full responsibility.”The NRC MD expressed his desire to move past the incident, stating he would not “dissipate further energy” on the matter and that his focus remains on his national assignment in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.He concluded by revealing that he had already offered a public apology to the NUJ at the Presidential Villa and had been in touch with several media leaders. “They asked for an apology, and I have given it. I am leaving the rest to God, mankind, and humanity. I want to remain focused on my assignment,” Opeifa said.