By Dr. Nafisat Makinde | August 31, 2025
In a remarkable turn of events, tension between the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the media has transformed into a pathway for collaboration. Following a verbal confrontation at the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment site, NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa publicly apologized to veteran journalist Comrade Ladi Bala and the wider Nigerian media community on Sunday, August 30, 2025, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Opeifa described his earlier remarks as “unkind and regrettable,” noting they were made under pressure while managing the crisis. “I wish to sincerely apologize for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on both the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ. I take full responsibility for my words,” he said.
In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, Dr. Opeifa conferred on Bala the honorary title of “Ambassador for Media Advocacy,” praising her resilience and professionalism. “The media remain our partners, not adversaries,” he emphasized, promising deeper collaboration with NUJ, NAWOJ, and civil society to promote transparency and public trust.
The derailment involved eight coaches, one locomotive, and 618 passengers, with about 20 people injured, seven critically. Emergency teams—including NEMA, the military, and local health authorities—were mobilized within 45 minutes to evacuate passengers and provide medical assistance. Dr. Opeifa personally visited at least seven injured passengers, including one who had made his way to Zaria.
Beyond immediate crisis management, Dr. Opeifa highlighted NRC’s ongoing development projects, including the reactivation of the Jos–Bukuru line, expansion of the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, and plans to link major seaports such as Tin Can, Warri, and Onne to the national rail network. He also announced the creation of a Customer Service and Relations Department, which has already reached out to more than 400 affected passengers.
NUJ FCT Council Chairperson Comrade Grace Ike welcomed the apology, stressing the union’s continued defense of press freedom. “We have zero tolerance for intimidation and harassment of journalists. With Comrade Ladi Bala now serving as NRC’s Ambassador for Media Advocacy, we expect more campaigns promoting the welfare and development of journalists, especially in the FCT,” she said.
Also present, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, lauded Dr. Opeifa’s humility. “This apology is a significant step towards rebuilding trust between the NRC and the media,” he noted.
The incident, which could have remained a crisis, instead became a platform for positive change, marking the beginning of a new era where the NRC and the media collaborate to ensure transparency, accountability, and improved rail services for Nigerians.
