Honour For Iyayi

University lecturers, activists and students stage a solidarity march in honour of the late Professor Iyayi 

Death may be inevitable, but some deaths are certainly avoidable and needless. When such needless and avoidable occurs, especially when it becomes so frequent, there’s cause for concern. That was the sentiment expressed by various speakers at the residence of late Prof. Festus Iyayi, where hundreds of members of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and other sympathisers converged last Wednesday after a solidarity march, to pay tribute to the fallen hero.

The mourners were not deterred by the long walk from the Faculty of Arts and Management Sciences in the University of Benin to the residence of the late former ASUU president, a journey of over five kilometres.

Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina, University of Benin ASUU chairman, led other states’ and national executive officers and members of ASUU to pour encomium on their late former president. They described the ultimatum given to ASUU to call off the strike as the lowest point of the Jonathan-led government, boasting that it will not yield result and insisting that their members will resist all forms of intimidation.

The procession sang solidarity songs as they marched, with some carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “Iyayi was murdered by the government”; “Festus killed to silence ASUU” and “Festus matyred for social justice.”

According to Monye-Emina, “I was in the same vehicle with Iyayi on that unfortunate day, he was full of life and expectation, he was in high spirit before that avoidable and reckless accident by the governor’s convoy.

“Iyayi gave his all to the emancipation of this country and education; he wanted a liberated Nigeria… His death must be investigated because it was avoidable. We will unite to fight it and no force on earth can come against us.”

Among notable dignitaries at the gathering were Prof. Asisi Asobie, a former ASUU national president; Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, Dr. Emmanuel Ogunjor, Comrade Promise Adewusi, NLC deputy president; Prof. Dele Fatunde, Comrade Biodun Aremu, Dr. Osahon Inabulele, NMA National Chairman, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, chairman, ASUU University of Ilorin branch. They all called for investigation into the real cause of Iyayi’s death, insisting that it was a clear case of murder and not accident.

Mr. Femi Falana, who called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the driver who caused the accident, announced that he has been mandated by the late Iyayi’s family and ASUU to challenge what he called the professor’s “murder” in court. He blamed the recklessness of Kogi State governor, Idris Wada’s convoy and the federal government for Iyayi’s death.

“That Iyayi was killed by the reckless driver here is not in doubt. Iyayi will not want us to mourn him but to organise to challenge the impunity and recklessness so that another persons will not be killed by those we pay to govern us.

“The Kogi Governor, his deputy and the speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly have been involved in reckless accident many times. The other time the governor’s convoy had accident and a mother of a three-year-old was killed.

“In Lagos nobody gives way to siren because it is the most congested city in the whole of Africa, the Governor of Lagos does not use siren so no provincial governor should use it to chase us away. So let us not run away from the road when they are coming because they don’t have two heads.

“We call on the Governor of Kogi State to take responsibility and also call for the arrest and conviction of that reckless driver and the other five drivers who had at different times had accident. I also join Wole Soyinka in saying that there should be investigation.”

Dr. Ifowodo did not mince words when he said, “I have said it before that we have to bring an end to this recklessness …They believe that they are above all laws or code of morality beyond any ethical value held dear by the common man. The office means to them that they own the whole world, country, roads, air, water and every public space and we can only use them when they allow us.

“We cannot travel on same road with them, it is such effort to chase Iyayi away that led to his death. This is what has led to the massive corruption, kleptomania, impulsive stealing which has led to looting the treasury…”

Prof. Asobie, in his speech revealed a statement made by Late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu to Iyayi while in detention: “Festus, my brother,” he said Aikhomu told Iyayi, “Nigeria is not worth dying for. Remember, we are a small people.”

“Today,” Asobie said, “Iyayi has died for Nigeria, we have to change that statement because Nigeria is worth dying for because we need a change. His death has left a lasting memory. I remember his statement to me about liberating Nigeria from external forces…When he talked about the role of external forces in governing Nigeria I now understand. He fought doggedly for us as he sacrificed his family. He went to prison and was sacked but he fought back and defeated the enemies of progress. Festus was not just a comrade but a hero. He has been immortalised, we will fight for the liberation of this country.”

Also paying tribute to Iyayi, President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Inabulele, noted that though his death was avoidable the consolation is that he did not die in vain. Urging that Iyayi’s legacy be built upon, Enabulele said: “Our task is not to mourn perpetually but to build on his legacy and fight to put an end to the callous action of government.”

Comrade Osifo Osasere, SUG president, UNIBEN chapter, said Iyayi has left an indelible mark by the choice he made to live courageously and forthrightly.

Comrade Biodun Aremu, secretary, Joint Action Front, JAF, eugolised Iyayi and challenged Nigerian students to demand for education autonomy and good governance. “We have lost the right of our independence, those calling the shots today are puppets of international forces. Shame on Nigerian students because you have failed to stand up…”

Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, chairman, University of Ilorin ASUU and member of the popular Ilorin 49 said, “Today, let me celebrate Iyayi who dedicated his entire life to the struggle. Nobody can forget him because he has cloned many Iyayis. The threat of sack on intelligentsia is demeaning because it does not show government in good light. Government should look at the history books: threat sack does not work because it will not work. Shifting the ultimatum is not respecting Iyayi because if they respect Iyayi then they will sign the agreement they had with him.”

Deputy President of NLC, Comrade Promise Adeusi, described Iyayi as a nationalist because he delivered on the battle against oppression. “He charted a course of truth and championed it. NLC is saying that this is not a lost battle, we are with you all the way,” he said.

A candle light procession was held in honour of Iyayi Wednesday night. The procession which took off at the Faculty of Arts and Management Sciences at about 8pm, drew members of ASUU from Uniben, Unilorin, Delsu, AAU and civil society groups. Other groups represented were NLC, Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOS), Joint Action Front (JAF) and Parents Consultative Association of Nigerian Universities (PCANU).

The procession took mourners through the university campus to the Law Faculty, where Iyayi had his office on the 4th floor, and back to the starting point after short speeches in front of his office.

Dr. Monye-Emina, who led the procession, paid glowing tribute to Iyayi for his commitment to the ASUU struggle. Recalling that Iyayi was billed to travel to Panama, via New York with the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, on a national assignment immediately after the meeting at Kano, Monye-Emina regretted that the journey never held, as death snatched Iyayi away in what he called avoidable accident.

Speaking to the students who joined in the procession he said: “I want you all to understand that Iyayi died for your cause. We are not happy with the strike. But we are tired of going on strike for the same reason all the time. We would be happy if there were no strike on the campuses in five years or more. For this cause, Prof. Iyayi has paid the supreme price.”

In his tribute to Iyayi, Prof. Eddy Eragbe urged his fellow lecturers to learn from the impeccable character of Iyayi, who was never involved in any form of malpractice or dishonest practice. “His conduct was exemplary. He was an easy-going and approachable man to both his colleagues and students alike [and] was never for once involved in any form of malpractice or indecent conduct. He is worthy of our emulation,” Eragbe said.

Prof. Idubor, a contemporary of Iyayi, in his tribute described the late professor as a courageous and dogged fighter who, “although dead, destroyed the power of death”.

—Jethro Ibileke