7th December, 2013
JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), civil society groups and sympathizers on Saturday attended the funeral of Prof Festus Iyayi, in his residence at his home town of Eguare-Ugbegun, Esan Central Local Council area of Edo State, Nigeria.
True to the wish of Iyayi’s family and associates, neither the federal government or the Federal Ministry of Education, was represented at the burial.
The Senate was however represented by a member of its Committee on education, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.
The homily was delivered by Festus Iyayi’s nephew, Samson Omondia Iyayi, the first son of his eldest brother, Evangelist Macdonald Iyayi. He spoke on the theme: The Meaning of Life.
“We will on resurrection morning rejoice with him. Living our physical body is not the end of our lives,” he said.
The 52 branches of ASUU across the federation were represented at the burial ceremony that was solemn and devoid of fanfare.
The interment of the late Professor of Business Administration was preceded by songs offered by ASUU and civil society members who came from all parts of the country.
Among dignitaries present at the event were Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, INEC Chairman, himself a former President of ASUU, Prof. Attahiru Jega; two other former ASUU Presidents, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano and incumbent ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge Isa.
Others, who attended the burial, included a former vice chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Abhulimen Anao; Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Michael Ibadin; Mr. Odia Ofeimun, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and members of UNIBEN academic community.
The body of Prof Iyayi was laid to final rest at about 11:00 am in the presence of his immediate family members and others at the occasion after a short funeral talk that was delivered by a clergyman, Peter Omigie, of the Saint Matthew Catholic Church, Eguare-Ugbegun
Speaking to journalists after Iyayi’s interment, Chairman of the INEC, Prof. Atthiru Jega, said the death of Prof Iyayi was a big loss to the nation because of his tremendous sacrifice for the development of the country.
“I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi. He was like a brother to me. He was one of the few Nigerians that I have known, who had tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of our country. This country has lost a gem. One of the best and patriotic Nigerians,” Jega said.
Student bodies, who attended the burial expressed anger toward the Federal Government through numerous uncomplimentary songs.
They particularly condemned the duo of the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, and the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, and that of the Presidency over the ongoing ASUU strike.
Meanwhile, Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has announced plans by the state government to immortalise the late ASUU President.
Speaking at a reception held at the Ugbegun Grammar School, Governor Oshiomhole said the school will be rebuilt and renamed Festus Iyayi Memorial Grammar School. He also said a water scheme will come on stream at Ugbegun and named after the late Festus Iyayi to remind the people of who he was and what he fought for.
“Some of the things we can remember about the late Iyayi was his consistency, commitment and doggedness and he paid the ultimate sacrifice. He lived and died in the struggle and therefore we can in truth say that the struggle was his life.”
Oshiomhole who noted that Iyayi would sorely be missed, said, “how do we remember him, how do we immortalise his name? When I visited his family house this morning, I said since Iyayi was also a contributor on how a worker can become the governor of Edo State, now that a worker is now the governor of the State, this community of Ugbegun, by next Monday I will deploy one of our industrial rigs to provide a water scheme which will be named as Festus Iyayi water scheme for the benefit of the people of this community.
“I also want therefore that this school called Ugbegun secondary school beginning with the new budget which begins in January and by the special grace of God not later than February, we would have passed through all the processes and we will build this school to the new standard of Edo State. The school will be renamed Festus Iyayi Memorial Secondary School.
“That way, even after our death, the children yet unborn will know there was a man who was born to this community, who led national struggle, died in the struggle but his spirit and ideals never died,” he said.