Monday Ubani, a former Second Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has counseled Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation to learn how to control his temper in public, no matter how provoked he may be.
Daily Trust Calabar correspondent Charles Eyo had asked Fani-Kayode who “bankrolled” his recent tour of several southern states.
However, the former minister, who was infuriated by the question, said the journalist was stupid.
He said, “I am saying this on live TV. What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? I will not take any questions from this man. What type of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? To do what? Who can give me money for anything? Who do you think you are talking to? Go and report yourself to your publisher? Please don’t insult me here. I don’t want to take any questions from this man”.
“I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. Who do you think you’re talking to? Bankroll who? You think I am one of those ones you… from who, when, how? You have a small mind, a very small mind. Don’t judge me by your own standards.”
Speaking in a chat with Daily Independent, Ubani said while it is public knowledge that Fani Kayode has a temperamental nature, he must learn how to comport himself in public.
You know Fani-Kayode has issues of short temper so his actions should not come to journalists as a surprise”.
“But as a public officer, one will also advise that he should be very slow to anger because all manners of questions will be thrown at him as a public officer”.
“He must also learn how to handle journalists. They are his friends. Even when the journalist asked who is bankrolling the tour, there is nothing that stops him from replying that I’m the one funding it instead of saying ‘You are stupid and all that’.
“I think he may have had previous issues with some journalists and he is now trying to transfer it to the young man” he said.
