Edo NUJ Chair, Festus Alenkhe, Gives Man Who Slapped Female Journalist a Heroic Handshake, Abandons Victim in Hospital

By Gidigba Group

‎Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Chapter, Festus Alenkhe, on Thursday, played host to the man who slapped, kicked and beat up a female journalist inside the Edo State government house in Benin City, the Edo State capital—the Chairman, has been seen in a Thursday photo op, giving a heroic handshake to the assaulter of his member in the journalism profession.

‎On Wednesday, a female journalist and staff of the Edo Broadcasting Service, attached to the First Lady’s office, Juliet Enabulele Asein, was physically assaulted (slapped and slammed against the wall), by an associate of the Edo State governor, during an event which she was deployed to cover.

‎Although the assaulter, Ebo Stone, denied ever attacking the journalist—he even claimed he has never met anyone like Juliet; the Edo State government however, confirmed the incident and has since apologized on behalf of the assaulter—this is one in series of ugly developments that continue to derail the credibility of the Okpebholo-led government.

‎Moments after the incident on Wednesday, Alenkhe issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the act, he called for the arrest and prosecution of the assaulter—Alenkhe’s swift reaction gained huge applauds—in a twist however, Alenkhe has been seen on Thursday, in a friendly handshake with same man who brutalized his member—Chairman Alenkhe even went ahead to call on journalists to carry out their duty with utmost professionalism, an action now generating significant concerns across quarters.

‎The development has caused division in the NUJ Secretariat—whereas some Union members hail Alenkhe for pampering Ebo Stone, others think Alenkhe’s sudden twist marks a betrayal of justice and the journalism profession—that a Chairman who should protect Union members has rather gone to bed with a man who assaulted his member—in one WhatsApp group, Alenkhe charged at members dissatisfied with the assaulter’s apology to “go to Court ooo”.

‎Meanwhile, a call made to EBS this morning by our correspondent, suggests Sister Juliet is currently admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin City—when our correspondent asked if Chairman Alenkhe has visited, he was told an outright “NO”.

‎Alenkhe’s action has been described by observers as insensitive, unempathetic and unleaderly—that even if you must befriend the government of the day, it should not be at the risk of celebrating a Union member’s assaulter, abandoning the victim, currently admitted in a hospital from severe attack by a government man.

‎Furthermore, Alenkhe’s action also serves a lesson to journalists who are desperate at befriending governments, thereby senselessly attacking opposition figures or groups, who constantly call governments to account—that nobody will come to your aid should you incure any accident in your desperation to please the government of the day; just like innocent Sister Juliet, you will be casually thrown under the bus like no man business—observers notes.

‎Meanwhile, we extend a note of sympathy to Sister Juliet, as we ask for quick recovery from the trauma and bodily harm she incured from her unsolicited attack by Ebo Stone.