Former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Prof. Festus Iyayi was on Saturday interred at his Ugbegun country in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.He was lowered into the grave at about 10:40am after a brief funeral service at his residence.



ASUU leaders from different branches across the country were present.

The service was solemn.

Catholic Catechist, Peter Omijie, who led the service urged the family to hope in God to provide for their needs.

Omijie told the gathering not to cry because there is hope of seeing him again.

He said the death of the physical body was not the end of life but the beginning of a new life and admonished the people to ponder over their spiritual destiny and where they will spend their eternity.

A former President of ASUU and Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and other ASUU leaders witnessed the interment.

Prof. Jega described Iyayi as someone who has tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of our country as one united country.He said, “I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi. He was like a brother to me. He is one of the few Nigerians that I have known who has tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of our country as one united country.





“He made tremendous sacrifices for the development of this country and reforms that can help ordinary Nigerians. It is a very sad loss to us especially people who have know him for a long time. It is a sad loss for this country. This country has lost a gem. One of the best and patriotic Nigerian,” Jega said.

President of ASUU, Nasir Isa-Fagge at a lecture organised for late Iyayi said it was time ASUU members move out to rescue country by ensuring quality education for the average Nigerian.

Fagge said the National Executive Committee of ASUU would decide how they would immortalise late Iyayi.

He said they would continue the struggle to salvage Nigeria universities to keep the dreams of late Iyayi alive.



Other dignitaries at the occasion were Governor Adams Oshiomhole, 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, Ordia Ofeimu, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, former Attorney-General of Eo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and members of UNIBEN academic community.

Source[color=#990000][/color]: http://www.unibenblog.com/2013/12/prof-iyayi-buried-in-hometown.html?m=1