News

Blessing Olajide Rape & Death: Saraki, Nigerians Call For Justice (Photos)

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2021

Olajide Omowunmi Blessing, a 300- level Agricultural Science Department of the University of Ilorin, was raped & murdered at her Ilorin home where she resided with her elder sister.

On late Blessing Omowunmi Olajide’s gruesome murder, the CP Kwara has assured that, everything legally possibly is being done to unearth the perpetrators of this heinous crime. He adviced that anybody with any useful information should make such available to the police, please.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq

I mourn the shocking and utterly condemnable reported rape and murder of Miss Olajide Omowumi Blessing, a 300-level student of the University of Ilorin by some yet-to-be-identified persons.

The development is heart-wrenching and absolutely unacceptable. Such antisocial and despicable behaviour will never be acceptable to all people of good conscience, and all of us will unite to fight this to a logical conclusion. I call on the security agencies to get to the root of this dastardly act with a view to bringing the mindless perpetrators to book. I similarly call on anyone with valuable information to volunteer same to the security agencies,

I sincerely commiserate with the parents of the deceased, her course/ housemates, and the university community on this sad incident, while praying the Almighty God to repose her soul. I join every person of good conscience to seek justice for Blessing so that such callous action and its perpetrators will never find a foothold in our society. I hereby send strong warnings that we will not tolerate indiscriminate violence against any person, much less the girl child. Enough is enough! The security agencies will get the perpetrators to pay heavily for this crime.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
#JusticeForBlessing

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the rape and killing of Miss Blessing Olajide, a 300-level student of Agricultural Science at the University of Ilorin.

This act, which is evil, disgusting, and despicable in every sense, must be promptly investigated by the Police and the school authorities — so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The Kwara State government must work to ensure that this act does not go unpunished — as this will serve as a deterrent in the future and will assuage the fears of young women across our state who want to pursue their education.

It is my hope that the family of Miss Olajide finds the strength from Almighty God that they need at this difficult time as they mourn the passing of their young and promising daughter and sister.

Amen.

-ABS

Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq
I received with great shock the news of the rape and subsequent murder of a promising 300 level student of University of Ilorin, Miss Blessing Olajide in her residence, Tanke area Ilorin.

The rape and gruesome murder of Miss Blessing by some yet to be identified persons is a cruel and barbaric act that offends human sensibility in its entirety and no society will tolerate or allow such evil acts to thrive.

I appeal to the @PoliceNG and other security agencies in the State for thorough and speedy investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Miss Blessing, to ensure that all perpetrators of this act are made to face the full wrath of the law.

The gender-based violence stakeholders in the state will also serve as a pressure group to ensure that justice is served and will propose measures to ensure the safety of our young ones and in particular university students in the state.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, my heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to the friends and family of Blessing, her course mates, and the entire Unilorin Community for the colossal loss.

I also urge our young people to be vigilant and conscious of the company they keep.

Unilorin Students Union
JUSTICE FOR BLESSING

Focused Unilorites,

We are so sad to have received the news about the death of one our colleagues, Olajide Blessing, a 300 level student of Faculty of Agriculture who was raped and gruesomely murdered on the eve of Wednesday; June 2, 2021.

We use this opportunity to condemn this despicable act. As a Union, we will embark on a visit to the family and friends of the deceased to convey our condolence messages on behalf of all Unilorites and we pray that God grant the family, friends and all Unilorites fortitude to bear this unfortunate and irreparable loss.

The issue has been taken up by the law enforcement agency and a robust investigation has commenced to ensure that justice is attained for Blessing. We urge every Unilorites that have vital information regarding this incident to visit the nearest police station for proper briefings to aid the investigation process and help nip the perpetrators in the buds as we assure you of maximum safety.

We plead with all fellow colleagues to remain calm while being security conscious to allow police conduct their investigation. Be rest assured that we are part of the process and will not rest until justice is secured.

VC condemns rape, murder of Unilorin student

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, has condemned the reported rape and murder of a 300 Level student of the institution, Miss Blessing Omowumi Olajide, at a location outside the University campus.

Prof. Abdulkareem, in his reaction to the unfortunate incident through the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said that the University management received the report of the incident with a heavy heart, saying that the incident was not only ugly but also absolutely unacceptable and must be condemned by people of good conscience.

While sympathising with relations, friends and colleagues of the deceased, the Vice-Chancellor assured that the University would work with security agencies to get to the root of the matter and expose the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Prof. Abdulkareem urged students of the University to always be vigilant and conscious of their environment.

He also admonished the students to be wary of the kind of friends they keep places they visit and ensure they report strange faces or irregular movements in their areas to the school authorities or security agencies in order to preserve their dignity, integrity and safety.

He restated the commitment of the University management to ensure the general safety of the students and staff both within and outside the school.

Civil rights activists are demanding justice for Blessing Olajide, a 300 level University of Ilorin undergraduate who was raped and murdered by yet-to-be-identified rapists.

The rights activists who protested in Ilorin described the rape as one too many.

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa

Published

14 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Wale Edun

BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly approved a minor cabinet reshuffle involving key changes in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the removal of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

The development was said to have been contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, directing immediate transition processes across the affected ministries.

Wale Edun, Dangiwa Relieved of Ministerial Duties

According to the reported directive, Wale Edun has been asked to hand over duties at the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Similarly, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa is to vacate his position as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Succession Arrangements and Ministerial Changes

The document further stated that Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has been named as the incoming Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, following Edun’s exit.

In the housing ministry, Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has reportedly been nominated as Minister-designate for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, pending formal confirmation procedures. Until then, Dangiwa has been directed to hand over to the Minister of State within the ministry.

Presidency Explains Reason for Reshuffle

Explaining the development, SGF George Akume was quoted as saying the changes are aimed at improving cohesion, synergy in governance, and economic delivery under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He added that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), emphasizing that cabinet adjustments remain part of ongoing efforts to improve governance efficiency.

Presidential Appreciation and Next Steps

The memo also reportedly conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to outgoing ministers for their service to the nation, while wishing them success in their future engagements. It further indicated that the President assured Nigerians and cabinet members that government reinvigoration efforts will continue periodically.

BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa

News

Power Firm to Hold Virtual Stakeholder Meeting on Rainy Season Electrical Safety

Published

16 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Power Firm to Hold Virtual Stakeholder Meeting on Rainy Season Electrical Safety

A power distribution company has announced plans to hold its April Virtual Stakeholder Engagement aimed at educating customers on safety measures during the rainy season.

In a notice issued to customers, the company said the virtual session would focus on the dangers associated with exposed electrical wires, flooded installations, and the increased risk of electric shock that often accompanies heavy rainfall.

The engagement, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will be held via Microsoft Teams, allowing participants to join remotely.

According to the company, the initiative is part of efforts to promote public safety and reduce electricity-related accidents during the rainy season, when infrastructure is more vulnerable and risks are heightened.

Power Firm to Hold Virtual Stakeholder Meeting on Rainy Season Electrical Safety

News

NERC: Only 15 States Fully Regulating Electricity Markets Under New Law

Published

22 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

NERC: Only 15 States Fully Regulating Electricity Markets Under New Law

Twenty-one states, including Rivers State and Kano State, have yet to assume full regulatory control of their electricity markets nearly three years after the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, even as 15 states have successfully transitioned to independent electricity regulation under Nigeria’s decentralised power framework.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) confirmed that the 15 states that have completed the transition now operate their own electricity markets, handling tariff regulation, licensing, investment promotion, and consumer protection within their jurisdictions.

The reform is part of the broader implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralises Nigeria’s power sector by empowering states to regulate generation, transmission, and distribution within their territories after meeting legal and institutional requirements.

15 states now operating independent electricity markets

According to NERC, 15 states have fully completed the transition process and are now independently regulating their electricity sectors. These states include Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Plateau, Abia, Nasarawa, Anambra, and Bayelsa.

The commission explained that the transition began in October 2024 with Enugu and Ekiti, followed shortly by Ondo. The process gained momentum in 2025, with states such as Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Edo completing their transitions. More recent entries include Nasarawa, Anambra, and Bayelsa in early 2026.

Under the new structure, these states now oversee intrastate electricity regulation, including issuing licenses, enforcing technical standards, setting local tariffs, and protecting electricity consumers.

21 states yet to complete transition

However, 21 states are yet to complete the process of taking over regulatory control of their electricity markets. These include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Osun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Energy experts say the delay could slow down the expected benefits of the Nigeria electricity sector reform, including improved power supply, localised tariff structures, and increased investment in mini-grids and embedded generation projects.

They also warn that uneven implementation could widen disparities in electricity access and investment across states.

What the Electricity Act 2023 provides

Under the Electricity Act 2023, once a state completes its transition, it establishes its own electricity regulatory commission responsible for overseeing all intra-state electricity operations.

The national regulator, NERC, retains oversight of interstate electricity trade and the national grid system.

State regulators are expected to drive local electricity market development by encouraging private investment, supporting renewable energy projects, and ensuring service quality standards across distribution networks.

However, NERC noted that some states that have declared transition still need to fully operationalise their regulatory institutions.

Federal government push for decentralisation

The Federal Government has repeatedly encouraged states to accelerate adoption of the reform, describing decentralisation as essential to solving Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said Nigeria’s size and population make centralised electricity management ineffective.

He explained that the Electricity Act allows states to participate in all segments of the power sector value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, and supporting services.

Adelabu also stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and state regulators to ensure alignment between wholesale and retail electricity markets.

He added that state participation is especially critical in off-grid electrification and rural power projects, where flexible local regulation can improve access and attract investment.

Outlook for Nigeria’s power reform

Stakeholders say the success of Nigeria’s electricity decentralisation reform will depend on how quickly the remaining 21 states establish functional regulatory frameworks and fully activate their electricity markets.

They warn that delays may limit investment inflows and slow down efforts to improve electricity supply reliability across the country.

Despite the uneven progress, the Electricity Act 2023 remains one of the most significant structural reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, aimed at creating a more competitive and efficient electricity market.

NERC: Only 15 States Fully Regulating Electricity Markets Under New Law