Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday described the late Prof. Festus Iyayi as a true and committed Nigerian who sacrificed personal comfort in the fight for a better society.
The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said, “Iyayi was a distinguished Nigerian who served not only ASUU, but the whole Nigerian academic community.
“He had a passion for education and I am proud that he came from Edo State. I found him so resourceful that I appointed him a member of the Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University.
“The history of popular struggles in Nigeria today will not be complete without a mention of Iyayi’s selfless sacrifices and intellectual contributions.
“He was a radical comrade, capable of interrogating power and facing those in authority eyeball-to-eyeball on critical matters that affect the people without calculating the political or economic consequences of his actions. Iyayi not only stood up and spoke out, but he inspired many to do same through his literary engagements and academic interventions in his quest for social justice, equity and fairness in the country.
“As comrades in the struggle, we had robust debates, and sometimes disagreements on the best methods to achieve the best results, but there was never a doubt of his patriotism, his unrepentant commitment that the country ought to be much better than it is.”
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi expressed shock over the death of the ex-ASUU president.
Fayemi, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described Iyayi’s death as “unfortunate and extremely devastating.”
The Pro-National Conference Organisation, in a statement by its spokesman, Wale Okunniyi, said Iyayi’s exit at this time, when the nation was desperately searching for national consensus and political cohesion through the initiative of a national dialogue, was “unfortunate and a great loss to the peoples of Nigeria.”
PRONACO said Iyayi was one of the very few scholars and advocates who possessed the understanding of the Nigerian national question.
