By Ademola Adeyemo Adibe Emenyonu
and Seriki Adinoyi
The hope of a final resolution of the
prolonged impasse in the ongoing strike by
members of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) was raised Wednesday by
the ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan
branch, Dr Segun Ajiboye when he stated
that the strike would soon come to end
especially as the federal government has
begun to shift grounds.
He did not give details and the extent of
ground shifting the federal government had
done.
The federal government had earlier given the
resume-or-be-sacked ultimatum which
should have ended yesterday, but later
extended it to December 9.
Some universities have either resumed or
announced their resumption dates, even as
some others like University of Jos have vowed
to continue the strike.
Ajiboye dropped the hint in Ibadan yesterday
during the session of tributes organised to
honour the late Professor Festus Iyayi, who
was killed in a motor accident while on his
way to attend a meeting on how to resolve
the ASUU crisis.
Ajiboye noted that the ceremony organised
by by ASUU was not only to mourn Iyayi but
also to mobilise ASUU members towards
pursuing the struggle to its logical conclusion.
The academic community in the university
staged a candle light procession in honour of
the late former National President of ASUU.
The ASUU members, including the Vice-
Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac
Adewole, and some other principal officers,
adorned in black gowns, commenced the
procession at the ASUU secretariat, Mellanby
Hall of the school and marched to the Faculty
of Arts enroute Kenneth Dike Road with
solidarity songs rendered in low mournful
tone.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.
Isaac Adewole, said the dreams of Iyayi
should be made to come true.
Adewole commended the courage and the
resilience of Iyayi, describing him as a
gentleman who was committed to not only the
development of education in Nigeria but
towards good living of Nigerians.
In his tribute, a former National President of
ASUU, Professor Sola Olukunle, described
Iyayi as a man of peace whose peace
mission is also based on reasonable
principles, therefore it would be a great
disservice if the current struggle is subdued
and disallowed to reach its logical conclusion
as intended by the late leader.
Speaker after speaker including the Dean of
Faculty of Arts, Professor Remi Raji, Dr Femi
Aborisade, Prof. Francis Egbokhare and
Professor John Anetor described the death
Iyayi as unfortunate, and needless, noting
that if the government had honoured the
agreement it reached with ASUU, the death
would have been avoided.
In the same way, the academic and civil
society communities in Benin City organised a
procession march in Iyayi’s honour.
During the procession, members of UNIBEN
branch of ASUU were joined by hundreds of
their colleagues from University of Ilorin,
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU), Delta
State University (DELSU), Abraka, etc.
Other groups also represent included Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC), Conference of Non-
Governmental Organisations (CONGOS), Joint
Action Front (JAF), the Parents Consultative
Association of Nigerian Universities (PCANU).
The march, which began at the Faculty of
Arts and. Social Sciences, University of Benin
at about 10a.m., took a long walk of about
five kilometres to the residence of the late
Professor of Business Administration, Bello
Street, off Benin/Lagos expressway.
Addressing the people at the residence of the
late former Chairman of ASUU, Chairman of
UNIBEN ASSU, Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina,
described Iyayi as one of Nigeria's number
one heroes that have fallen, and a hero of
ASUU struggles.
He said the march was the beginning of
activities to mark the exit of the late
Professor.
He recalled that the journey that claimed the
life of Iyayi, began on a pleasant note that
morning with Iyayi relieving the last meeting
with President Goodluck Jonathan and how he
urged them to show true commitment to the
struggle.
Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, urged
ASUU never to relent in the struggle, but to
continue from where Iyayi left. .
He disclosed that ASUU and Iyayi family
members have mandated him to challenge
the "murder" of Iyayi in the court.
Also addressing the crowd of sympatisers,
Chairman of ASUU, University of Ilorin
chapter, Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, said the
late Iyayi had cloned many other Iyayis while
alive, to carry on the fight, adding that the
only way to ensure that what Iyayi fought for
was not allowed to die with him is to sustain
the struggle.
Other speakers eulogised Iyayi, whom they
called a hero, adding that his death has
actually immortalised him.
Eldest son of Iyayi, Ehidiamen, who received
the mourners on behalf of the family,
thanked them for the support they have
given to the family since the demise of their
father.
He was later presented with signed copy of
the condolence register opened by the union.
Speaking on its resolve to continue with the
strike, University of Jos chapter of ASUU said
yesterday that it will not resume lectures until
it receives directives from its national officials
to that effect, adding that it will not go back
to class even after the expiration of the
extended deadline given by the federal
government.
The chairman of the ASUU Unijos chapter, Dr
David Jangkam said majority of the 1012
union members at Unijos were not bothered
by federal government's sack threats.
Jangkam said, “University of Jos chapter,
wants to categorically state that we cannot
be cowed or perturbed by the threat from
the Minister of Education and other agents of
government; we remain resolute and
committed to the struggle and shall not waver
from the strike until government does the
right thing."
Similarly, the Lagos State University (LASU)
chapter of ASUU, resolved to continue with
the strike until government meets the union’s
demands.
The Chairman of LASU branch Adekunle
Idris, described the threat to sack lecturers
who refused to resume work by Wednesday
as an outdated approach to solving issues
and a joke.
“I’m sure they will get their professors and
doctors from Alaba or Idumota market.
Maybe they will employ some from India or
Cuba to teach the students,” he said
sarcastically.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ASUU-promises-to-end-strike-as-fg-shifts-ground/165912/

bunch of fools

Ok

For real

Hmmmm.... ASUU looks more confused than dem dem , agameta, agbaworo ,freeglobe .......

The strike is old enough, it should be called off, I know ASUU is just waiting for a little response from the fg now. The strike is at its peak. Maybe the end is in sight

Boring ASUU

Pls where is the promise?

I-am-Winner:
Pls where is the promise?

abeg help me ask d op o, cos me sef stil dey find am

Only four days left, if they don't call it off, then maybe they've lost the game.

iyayi sef go don dey cry for heaven/hell...*abeg wiaz my xmas dress?

waiting for 9th dec...

rubbers

These ppl re foolish sha...they don't even care about d helpless students. They re bastards if they call it off anyday.