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| Iyayi's son |
The University of Benin (UNIBEN)
wore a mournful mood yesterday. Many offices were shut.At Iyayi’s residence,
sympathisers gathered in groups to discuss his death.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Osayuki
Oshodin led the top management of the institution to pay a condolence visit to
the widow. Close family members and friends of the late activist received them.
Iyayi’s widow, Grace, was surrounded
by friends and relatives. She wept silently, occasionally wiping tears from her
face.
Oshodin was in a pensive mood. He
could not speak.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics)
Prof. Obehi Okojie spoke on his behalf, describing Iyayi’s death as a shock and
a great loss to the university.
He told the widow and family
members: “We know what Prof. Iyayi stood for. He was a dear friend to all of
us. God didn’t allow the accident to happen but it has happened.
“God will see you through. The
university is behind you. We pray God to strengthen you and help you to
entrench what he stood for.”
Omole, one of the sons of the late
Iyayi, said they did not anticipate receiving condolences.
He said the family was amazed at the
concern shown by members of the public on the death of their father.
“We know he was an ASUU warlord and
he was going for what he believed in. We are sure he will be in a better place.
We never expected it to be so soon,” Omole said.
A childhood friend of late Iyayi and
Dean of Postgraduate School of UNIBEN, Prof. Bob Osazee, described him as the
best in human capital development management.
He said: “He was committed to
activism and had deep concern for human welfare. When he was detained, he stuck
to his guns and never wavered. He believed in the welfare of his colleagues.”
Prof. Famous Izedonmi, who said he
was taught by the late Iyayi in 1980 described him as a rare gem and a hater of
oppression.
“Prof. Iyayi lived and died for
ASUU. He went beyond UNIBEN. We should immortalise his name in UNIBEN. We will
do something to immortalise him,” Izedonmi said.
Tags
Society