How To Avoid Questions: A Class For Femi Fani-Kayode & Co -By Steve Ogah

“I believe a response at this time would be inappropriate. I will get back to you.”— Jeanette Smith.

Had the eloquent Femi Fani-Kayode tacitly avoided the question from journalist Eyo Charles, he would have been praised for his talking refinements. But the expressive lawyer chose to brutally avoid the question and verbally fire cannon balls at the questioner. What a way to avoid questions, which utilizes threats and name-calling! And by FFK’s spur-of-the-moment reaction, Eyo Charles has become the new hero in Nigeria’s journalism. And Femi Fani-Kayode is the hero-maker, who created the new bride in town at no other famous location than Calabar; that serene and paradise-like capital of Cross River state, renowned for its proclivity for historic events. Charles asked a question that Fani-Kayode hadn’t seen coming. And hell came down. The former aviation minister, seemingly acting on a wild impulse; chose to decorate the Daily Trust newsman with a heroic sash and crown, in the manner he upbraided the journalist who had simply asked a question about an area which needed clarification.

The genteel writer has achieved remarkable greatness in the aftermath of his experience with the PDP politician. His carriage in the media has been cultured and takes absolutely nothing away from his humanity. On that day, Eyo Charles simply fattened his name in journalistic history and also elevated his profession as a place where heroes and heroism can still be encountered.

Femi Fani-Kayode ranted while Eyo Charles stood aside and watched as though he suffers from immobility of the lips. At the end of it all, the journalist simply apologized and took his seat while FFK tramped away as though a conquering warlord on inspection of newly acquired territories. But there are lessons which we can take away from that battleground-like exchange, and learn about ways to avoid a question. Certainly, not in the style of FFK, who has since “disappointed” his admirers but gladdened his critics in politics and the media.

Training in practice. The quiet manner Eyo Charles took the assault from the former minister, is suggestive that the journalist took his classes on how to ask questions seriously, and was trained in how to withstand a backlash. His question was provocative to FFK. But there are ways to avoid questions without that swashbuckling style that seeks to frighten and shrink the other party.

In her influential work, The Publicity Kit, the American Journalist referenced above; lectures on inexpensive methods to employ when avoiding questions. Here is another of her examples that we can cite: “I don’t have the answer. I’ll get back to you.” This is a subtle way to avoid giving a response and still appear refined and learned. But most of our public personalities have chosen not to read. Or is it a case of deliberate knowledge rejection? Or how does one explain the fact that some of our most respected politicians have no clue on how to be graceful before the public or press. What’s the value in appearing ruthless with words while before those who have a trained capacity to be equally vicious with words?

By telling the interviewer that that you would reach out again, it assures him or her that you are willing to offer answers that are needed for the article to be written. One may end up evading the question in the long run or have events overrun the question, but a clever response is capable of achieving great magic and charming the press and readers. Here is a personal stylish route out of difficult questions: “I have to say I deeply appreciate your question. But I am unable to provide an answer at the moment. Perhaps, I can get back to you, if that’s not much trouble.”

It is always helpful to disregard the urge to say: “no comments!” Rather say: “I will be available for proper questioning through my media channels. I look forward to answering all your questions. Thank you.” These are just some creative ways to avoid questions without coming off as difficult or boastful, and the examples shown here maybe refined to suit individual occasions.

Those who constantly come in contact with the media must have it at the back of their minds that some questions may be provocative, either intentionally or otherwise and that journalists may ask questions for clarification and justification. One may surmise that Eyo Charles had wished for FFK to justify his country-wide tours. But he was punched below the belt, to borrow a boxing lingo; by the pugnacious former aviation man in return.

Public personalities like Femi Fani-Kayode must take classes in how to avoid questions seriously, otherwise they will always fall on the wrong side of the media and public; and always have to tender apologies which could have been avoided in the first place, with a little patience, grace, and appropriate semantics.

P:S: Steve Ogah is Voicesnet(USA) Poet of the Month, February, 2002.