Iyayi Laid To Rest In His Home Town

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Sunday, December 8th, 2013

Ruth Bamidele

Former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU)
Prof. Festus Iyayi was buried on Saturday in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

A brief funeral service was held at his residence after which he was
lowered into the grave at about 10:40am.

The service led by Catholic Catechist, Peter Omijie, was solemn. Omijie
told the gathering not to cry because there is hope of seeing him again.

Former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Festus Iyayi

Catechist Omijie added that the death of the physical body was not the end of life but the beginning of a new life and admonished the people to ponder over
their spiritual destiny and where they will spend their eternity.

ASUU President, Nasir Isa-Fagge at a lecture organized for late Iyayi urged ASUU members to move out and rescue the country by ensuring quality education for the average Nigerian.

He disclosed that the National Executive Committee of ASUU would decide how they would immortalize late Iyayi.

Fagge also promise to continue the struggle to salvage Nigeria Universities to keep the dreams of late Iyayi alive.

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Prof. Attahiru Jega described late Iyayi as someone who has tremendous
integrity and passion for progress and development of our country as one united country.

Jega said, “I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi. He was like a brother to me. He is one of the few Nigerians that I have known who has tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of our country as one united country.

“He made tremendous sacrifices for the development of this country and reforms that can help ordinary Nigerians. It is a very sad loss to us especially people who have know him for a long time. It is a sad loss for this country. This country has lost a gem. One of the best and patriotic Nigerian,” Jega said.

Dignitaries at the occasion includes: Governor Adams Oshiomhole; former Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and members of UNIBEN academic community; Senator Abubakar Bagudu who represented the Senate, ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, Professor Abhulimen Anao, Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Michael Ibadin, Dr. Dipo Fashina, former ASUU President, Ordia Ofeimu, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo.