How Gov. Oshiomhole Immortalises Late Festus Iyayi

Governor Adams Oshiomhole orders to rename Ugbegun Grammar School for immortalising the late ex- President of the Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi.

As the remains of the late Prof. Iyayi were laid to rest in his country home in Ugbegun, on December 6, 2013, the Governor of Edo State has announced plans by the state government to immortalise the late activist and writer.

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 would be constructed at Ugbegun and named after the late Festus Iyayi to remind the people of who he was and what he fought for.

Gov. Oshiomhole announced these decisions thorough his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria:

“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.

“Iyayi struggled for the proper position of education and education is only about nations. The people of Edo state will agree with me is that one of the areas that government has tried to make a difference is rebuilding public schools that are as attractive as any private school in the State. When others are paying money to unidentified young men and women, in Edo, the Comrade President of ASUU, we decided to abolish school fees in both primary and secondary schools.

“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,” Governor Oshiomhole’s message said.

The occasion was graced by the President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, two other former Presidents of ASUU, Dr. Oladipo Fashina and Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano, Senator Odion Ugbesia, member of the House of Representatives Hon. Peter Akpattasson, ASUU Chairmen and members from across universities in the country, among others. 

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