KILLING OF BLESSING OLAJIDE: SOLIDARITY WITH UNILORIN STUDENTS IN STRUGGLE FOR #JUSTICEFORBLESSING By Ayo Ademiluyi Esq.

DAY 9 OF #ENDOPPRESSION #ENDKILLINGS

I extend solidarity with students of University of Ilorin in their struggle for #JusticeForBlessing to protest the rape, murder of their deceased colleague, Blessing Olajide, a student of the Agricultural Science Department of University of Ilorin.

I salute the Students' Union of the University of Ilorin for providing leadership for the anger of students of the institution over the killing.

I am also aware through media reports that the spokesperson of the police in Kwara State, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed that the said Ms Olajide on the basis of their investigation was first raped before being killed at her residence at Tanke area of Ilorin.

I am also aware that the deceased, who was living with her elder sister, was a student of the Agricultural Science Department of the school.

I am also aware that the Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police Force also discovered that the deceased was found lying dead on the floor when neighbours entered her apartment and saw her with her two hands tied to the back, and mouth gagged.

I am aware that she was found naked and had bruises on her private part according to the Police.

I am also seized of the fact that a note, said to have been written on a piece of paper was placed on her chest containing a message, ‘Unilorin doesn’t forgive’.

I join voices with many students of the school that have demanded justice for the deceased, trending the hashtag #JusticeForBlessing on the night of Thursday, 3rd June, 2021.

I commend Waliu Taofeek, the President of the Students Union of the University of Ilorin who has assured the rank and file of the students that the union will take necessary action.

I am of the view that one of the most urgent steps that the UNILORIN Students' Union should take is to place a 96 hours' ultimatum on the the Management of the University of Ilorin , the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government to arrest the killers of Blessing Olajide, failing which by Monday, 7th June, 2021, the Union should be prepared to lead mass of the students in a series of protests to demand #JusticeforBlessing.

The Students' Union should also demand for the setting up of an Independent Panel of Inquiry with Representatives of the Staff Unions and Students' Union to look into the ingredients of cultism and reactionary killing in the murder of Blessing Olajide.

I also call on the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) which have declared June 12, 2021 as a National Day of Action against Students' Killings to demonstrate its resolve to provide leadership to the growing anger against killings and Kidnappings of students and pupils from Niger State to Ondo State and now to UNILORIN by moving its Secretariat to UNILORIN immediately. Series of mass actions on different campuses and press interventions can lay foundation for the June 12, 2021 National Day of Action.

However, to ensure that the NANS National leadership does not compromise the struggle and sell out students to management as it has become customary with the successive leaderships under its current degenerate state, Congresses of students need to be convened to discuss the struggle at each pace.

UNILORIN Students' Union need urgent solidarity of all fighting forces in the Students' Movement, the Alumni, the pro-working people's strata and the entire labour movement.

AYO ADEMILUYI ESQ.,

Lagos.

09097933015.