Festus Iyayi Buried in Edo Amidst Tears

The former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, was buried in his country home at Ugbegun in Esan Central local government area of Edo State, on December 6, 2013, Saturday.

Reverend Father Peter Omijie, officiating Catholic priest, urged the late lecturer’s family members and associates not to cry over his death, as they have the hope of seeing him again.

“We will on resurrection morning rejoice with him. Leaving our physical body is not the end of our lives,” Rev. Omijie said.

He admonished the people to ponder over their spiritual destiny and where they will spend their eternity.

The interment of the late Prof. Festus Iyayi at exactly 10.42 a.m. was preceded by solidarity songs offered by the ASUU and civil society members, who came from all parts of the country.

The burial ceremony was solemn and devoid of fanfare.

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission and the former ASUU President, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who was among the personalities who attended the burial, described Iyayi, as one of the few Nigerians who have tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of Nigeria as “one united country”.

“I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi. He was like a brother to me.

”He made tremendous sacrifices for the development of this country and reforms that can help ordinary Nigerians. It is a very sad losses to us especially people who have known him for a long time,” Prof. Jega stated.

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

It would be recalled that Edo State government is to immortalise Iyayi by renaming the Ugbegun Grammar School to Festus Iyayi Memorial Grammar School and naming the water scheme, which will be constructed at Ugbegun, after him as well. 

Vanguard