Gov AbdulRazaq, Unilorin VC Prof Egbewole SAN, Saraki mourn

By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin

Tragedy struck journalists in Kwara state,as the Sun Newspapers Correspondent in the State, Comrade ‘Layiwola Olanrewaju passed on, this morning at age 69.

The Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji ‘Biola Azeez, broke the sad news on the chapel’s WhatsApp group platform this morning.

A statement later issued by the chapel’s secretary, Miss Mosunmola Ayobami confirmed that: “It’s with heavy heart but in total submission to the will of the Almighty God we announce the death of a committed elder and former chairman of Correspondent’s Chapel Comrade Layi Olarewaju.”

The statement, countersigned by the chairman and the scribe, said Comrade Olarewaju, “died Friday morning at a private hospital after a brief illness.

“His commitment, unifying attribute, and journalism wealth of experience will be sorely missed.

“The Chapel prays God Almighty to console the family, associates, friends and give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” it expressed.

Azeez later described Lanrewaju as a dutiful and committed journalist that fought for unity and oneness of the chapel and the NUJ council in the state.

Praying for the repose of his soul, Azeez said Lanrewaju will forever be remembered for his friendliness with every journalist in Kwara.

Demola Akinyemi (Vanguard Newspaper)and former Chairman of the Correspondents’ wrote on the platform: “This is unbelievable, I have lost a confidant, an associate, and a darling brother. May Almighty God comfort us all and his lovely family. May his Soul Rest in Peace…Adieu Egbon Layi.”

An elder in the chapel, Stephen Oni wrote on the platform: “I am devastated by the shocking, sad and terrible news.

“Correspondents’ Chapel has lost a warrior, a dogged and an uncompromising fighter for the cause of our noble Chapel.

“You will be sorely missed, but we take solace in the fact that you were unbending to any good cause you believed in,” he said.

While Jamal of the Television Continental (TvC) also describe the death as shocking, praying for God’s mercy on the deceased and his family, the correspondent of the Daily Post, AbdulRazaq Adebayo described death as: “Layi, life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then he is heard no more”.

Alhaji Tunde Akanbi (VON) said the news was tragic, praying: “may your soul rest in peace, Comrade Layi Olanrewaju. A great loss to us in the chapel. Members of this great chapel, pls, accept my condolences.”

Meanwhile Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye,said he is shocked by the death of Mr. ‘Layi Olarewaju, the Kwara State’s Correspondent for the Sun newspapers.

“The Governor commiserates with the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Correspondents’ Chapel whose chairman he was at some point, the Sun newspaper, and his immediate family.

“The Governor says Mr. Olarewaju was a veteran journalist and media unionist whose legacies span decades of excellent reporting and commitment to the welfare of fellow journalists.

“He prays that God console his family and repose the soul of the deceased. ”the statement said.
In a related development
the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, described the death of the Kwara State Correspondent of The Sun Newspapers, Mr Layi Olanrewaju, as a sad loss to the journalism profession.

According to the statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Vice Chancellor expressed rude shock and sorrow on the death of the veteran journalist, whom he described as a diligent media professional and a good friend of the University.

Prof. Egbewole recalled that the late journalist used the privilege of his position to advance the interests of the University through positive report of events and personalities related to the University to the rest of the world.

The Vice Chancellor sympathised with the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Olanrewaju as he urged them to take solace in the fact that the late veteran journalist lived a life worthy of emulation.

Prof. Egbewole then prayed to God to rest the soul of the veteran journalist in absolute peace and give his family and colleagues the fortitude to bear his death.

Similarly, former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr. Emmanuel Olayiwola Olanrewaju, the Kwara State Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, who died in the early hours of Friday.

In a statement issued by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki described the death of the veteran journalist as shocking, painful, and a great loss to the media profession in Kwara State and beyond.

The Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin noted that the late Olayiwola was a dedicated, diligent, and professional journalist who carried out his duties with commitment and integrity, contributing immensely to the growth of journalism in the state.

Saraki extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Chapter, and the entire media practitioners in the state over this irreparable loss.

He prayed that Almighty God grants the deceased eternal rest and gives his immediate family and colleagues the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.