Veteran Kwara-based journalist Layi Olarewaju has died, prompting an outpouring of grief from political leaders and the media community in Nigeria’s North Central region. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki are among those who have paid tribute to the respected correspondent.
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed shock at the news of Olarewaju’s passing. In a statement released by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on Friday, the governor commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel—a body the governor once chaired—The Sun Newspapers, and the journalist’s family. He described Olarewaju as a veteran journalist and media unionist whose legacy spanned decades of excellent reporting and steadfast commitment to the welfare of fellow journalists. The governor prayed for divine consolation for the family and the repose of the deceased’s soul.
Also reacting, Dr. Saraki described the death as “shocking, painful, and a great loss to the media profession in Kwara State and beyond.” A statement from his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, highlighted Olarewaju’s dedication, diligence, and professionalism. Saraki noted that the late journalist executed his duties with commitment and integrity, contributing significantly to the growth of journalism in the state. He extended heartfelt condolences to Olarewaju’s immediate family, the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel, the NUJ Kwara Chapter, and all media practitioners in the state. Saraki prayed for eternal rest for the deceased and strength for his family and colleagues.
Olarewaju served as the Kwara State Correspondent for The Sun Newspapers, a major national daily. His role placed him at the heart of state-level reporting and press freedom advocacy. The collective mourning from the governor—who has a history with the Correspondents’ Chapel—and a former Senate President underscores the high regard in which Olarewaju was held across political and media spheres.
The death removes a seasoned voice from Kwara’s media landscape, a figure recognized for both his on-ground reporting and his union activism. The NUJ and the Correspondents’ Chapel are expected to coordinate同行属的悼念活动. The loss is felt particularly within the state’s press corps, where Olarewaju’s experience and mentorship were valued resources. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter for journalism in the state, leaving a gap in both news coverage and advocacy for journalists’ welfare.
