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.