By Adetunji AyoBrown
Guilty as seen, many are incredibly pissed off about the unexpected and unwarranted irrational compliments of Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) about a reporter asking him a simple straightforward question. As if they are twins conjoined in a movie series. FFK’s outburst came just a few days after the yet to be settled scandalous dusts of the President’s Media aides, Femi Adesina (FA) termed a fellow Nigerian a ‘such character’, while defending his principal for not obeying the ordinary law of human rights.
When you do business with coincidences, you may have to address a bigger cause. What happened didn’t end something but started something. Many wondered why the likes of a former minister and a senior Special adviser to the president on media will choose intimidation in their responses to simple enquiry of citizens; this is a cause for worry.
It is rather funny really that something so simple and inoffensive as a piece of paper, when placed in wrong hands can become a deadly weapon. Imagine one slice of a tree becoming so intimidating just like the simple and straightforward question, ‘who is bankrolling you?’. Ironically, FFK who is highly known to be critical of the government and others could go haywire on issue such as a simple question of who is bankrolling his tour.
Stupid, underrated, get lost or I get angry, please imagine the scenario, FFK was seen in the viral video yelling at the journalist, Eyo Charles and calling him stupid and throwing tantrum. Fani-Kayode believes that the question was an assertion and insult, engineered by his political enemies who want him embarrassed, how petty?
How a man washes his hands before or after attending to his needs says a lot about the man’s character. None of them can prove unfamiliarity with the customs of such situation, or how journalists asked their usually harmless but probing questions just to get the best for their media. It is terribly disappointing that their responses coming from their likes exudes haughtiness.
Really, facts are undeniable; when strangers share common traits of unnecessary annoyance seemingly putting them on the same track of irrational anger at nothing in particular then it could be sign that there is a common association, perhaps power. It takes a lot of loves to hate such as was seen in a trending viral video, for which many condemned Fani-Kayode’s unnecessary outburst.
Stupid and such, as used in these contexts are two indecent combinations bad enough to be ignored, especially when unjustified. It is like both actors went out of control without realising it. Something of same likeness, same models, their responses negate what they both claimed to be.
Demanding to know the source of funding for his nationwide tour and on what capacity may not be a bad question to asked, but for FFK thought otherwise. He could have ignored it or let the reporter know that he was self sponsored or whatever.
Expressing grievances against the incompetence of the government in the management of the nation’s security and its failure to arrest the wave of corruption in the country is a cause of concern for every citizen and their right to ask questions but Femi Adeshina thought that is not included in the democracy hand book.
A former minister who had been touring several states without revealing his true intention made many to be suspicious of his motives. Who is bankrolling his recent tour of states in the country was the question becomes pertinent therefore. And when he was asked by the journalist, instead of an answer, the journalist was assaulted with threats, including that of a sack, just for asking a question. Who knows what might have happened if intimate, private or personal questions were asked.
Although many analysts are of the opinion that it was not about the question but about the answer. It is not about what he was asked, but about what he didn’t say. When it is a general question asked, it is the best of the answers that is needed not the worse. And in this case, his unusual sensitivity on such question led to another.
To say the least, many are shocked that the same Fani-Kayode, who had in recent times, used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a journalist for a simple question, demanding him to unmask those behind his nationwide tour. After all, he had already visited six states and was planning to visit some others.
May be apology is not his real area of expertise.
For Adesina, better try to be incline to improved human relations in order to provide better and valuable services to his employer. For FFK, it is instructive to remind him that it is part of the duty and constitutional Rights of journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power. By delving into politics and holding political office, he has subjected himself to and is answerable to the public at all times.
There are a lot that cannot be forgiven. Many groups are seeking media blacklisting of the ex-minister. Unfortunately, in his line of work, it is not good to be infamous. By denigrating the journalist, FFK has only exposed himself the more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities scrutinised by the media or made known to the public.
We all can’t hate them, but we can correct them. Let’s assumed momentarily lapses of good judgement on their parts. Funny, surprising and even mysterious questions are all part of an interview. It is pertinent for public office holders that when challenged in a test of intelligence as in an interview, one always need to know what to say.
In time of stressful scenario; a confusing time, critical situation are designed to test intelligence and resilience to bring out the worst or the best. And of course, these are what came to play. Always bent on being blunt, what’s funny about them is that when they are in a position to know they have no option, they convince themselves they do. Reporters are privy to all his business. For FFK, it is just a matter of time before answers are provided for his question by him or by his actions. And for FA, Nigerians have seen, known, and learnt their lessons never to exchange gold for ordinary stone.
The report has written itself. For the reporter, except one is fully prepared for a clown’s responses, sometimes the fewer questions are asked the better.
In the hands of real master of the arts, nice pieces are cut out. Most people watch and listen to such political interviews merely for the pleasure of knowing that they are being hoodwinked, but for the spokesman who understand his onions, he will give them something real and strong instead.
How to keep a civil tongue, will not be a bad recommended book for the duo. Though, FFK was previously adamant insisting that he had no apology for his action, but as many Nigerians gave him the knocks, the ex-minister succumbed and did the right thing. He apologised.
But unlike the other, Adesina, the president’s aide thinks no single apology is required for his actions, even after several condemnations and criticisms from high and low. Till now he is yet to see any reason for an apology.
FFK is supposed to be very conversant with the watchdog role of the media, while Adesina, as a media guru ought by now he to know how best to handle such issues together the best for his job and his principal interest since he had also dished out same to public office holders before he gets to his present position. You cannot attempt to ruin somebody’s life and pretend it isn’t happening. Really, without realising it, both of them may be steps behind whatever they represent.
Consider it as steadfastness or stubbornness, it doesn’t take too long for FFK to realise his folly but Femi Adesina chose to still pretend that nothing was amiss. After all we are humans, making mistakes are part of what we do, but how we fix them is what that matters.
It’s all about perception, if you cannot control things that happen around you, then you can control how you react to those things. That is what public relations is all about. Imaginations are more important than knowledge, anger must be tampered by tranquility instead of getting infuriated by questions asked in public domain.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via [email protected]
