Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed shock at the death of the former National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi.
Governor Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described Iyayi’s death, in a fatal auto crash on Tuesday, as not only unfortunate but extremely devastating.
He expressed regret that Iyayi died while collaborating with other ASUU officials to find an amicable solution to the ongoing strike by university teachers.
The Governor described Iyayi as a great scholar, researcher, teacher and unionist who fought for the cause he believed in to the best of his ability.
Dr. Fayemi also recalled the roles played by Iyayi as an irrepressible human rights activist who campaigned relentlessly for the emancipation of the common man and for a better treatment of academics.
He said Iyayi was one of the patriots who stood to be counted and confronted the military to ensure the restoration of democracy.
The Governor said Iyayi has left indelible footprints in the sand of time through his remarkable contributions as a teacher, novelist, union leader and university administrator.
Dr. Fayemi said:”Prof. Iyayi’s death is a great loss and all of us shall continue to nurse the wound of his loss in our hearts.
“As a novelist, he won the 1987 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, he served diligently and meritoriously as Professor and Head of Department of Business Administration at the University of Benin and capped it all with his emergence as ASUU President.
“It was very unfortunate that he died on his way to attend the National Executive Council meeting of ASUU scheduled to hold in Kano on November 13, 2013 where the union plans to review the ongoing strike called to save Nigerian public universities.
“We pray God to grant the family, associates and friends of the deceased the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Last modified: November 13, 2013