Iyayi’s kinsmen demand N50bn compensation from Kogi gov

 

THE Onojie of Ugbegunland, hometown of former President of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor. Festus Iyayi, in Edo State, HRM, Samuel Obade I, and his people, are demanding a compensation of N50 billion to be paid to the immediate family of the late professor by the Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada.

The community in a letter dated November 13, to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, on the death of its son in an automobile accident with the governor’s security details, called for a thorough investigation for Nigerians to know the actual cause of Iyayi’s death.
This came as eminent Nigerians, including the supervising Minister of Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, continued to lament the untimely and tragic death of Professor Festus Iyayi
Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, described late Professor Iyayi as “a man who gave his all in the struggle and led by example.”
Iyayi led by example —Oshiomhole's words to late Iyayi.

Condoling members of the immediate family at their residence in Benin City, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who noted that Iyayi’s death was a rude shock to him, said: “I am here on behalf of the good people of Edo State to condole with you and members of your family on the death of Professor Festus Iyayi. The Iyayi family cannot be defined in terms of the wife, the immediate children, as well as family members.

“Iyayi was a member of a much larger family that cuts across the length and breadth of Nigeria. For me, and I believe for all those who knew him, it was a rude shock. In fact, I was extremely shocked. It was extremely shocking when somebody showed me a text message and suggested in that message that Iyayi might not have survived that accident. I told the man not to spread false rumour.
“A week before then, I saw him on television along with his colleagues providing intellectual backing as to why the Federal Government should deliver on its commitment to ASUU as per the agreement signed in 2009. I played a part in the signing of that agreement after both parties shifted ground.

“When I learnt that our comrade died in such gruesome manner, only a stone hearted person would not be moved. I do not know how to convey, not just my feeling, but the feelings of those who have known him.

“I had known him when I was in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and ASUU at that time was not part of the NLC. Iyayi along with his colleagues provided intellectual backing to support and encourage the NLC to articulate its position on a variety of socio-economic and political issues. So he was always there”, he said.