The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has described Prof. Festus Iyayi who died last week in a motor accident on Abuja – Lokoja Road as a victim of executive recklessness.
In a condolence message to the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Nasir Faggae and members of university academic community, the ASUP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Clement Chairman, described Iyayi as an ardent believer of justice whose interest was in the common good of the country, adding that it would be difficult to find a replacement for him.
He said: "ASUP also believes that the death of Iyayi is enough sacrifice that should prompt the Federal Government to work towards the resolution of the impasse bedevilling the university education in Nigeria today and some other education sectors."
While lamenting the manner Iyayi met his painful death, ASUP sounded a note of caution against Padwhat it described as executive recklessness, warning that "it is a matter to be checked to forestall further carnages on our roads".
The union recalled that the same Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, whose convoy caused Iyayi's death, had been involved in a similar crash that claimed the life of his ADC and left the governor seriously injured and hospitalised in Abuja for weeks.
Chairman also extended his good wishes to the National Welfare Officer of ASUU, Dr. Ngozi Ilo, UNIBEN ASUU branch Chairman, Dr. Anthony Monye Emina, and other officials of the union in the ill-fated bus who are now recuperating in the hospital.
Meanwhile, activities at the secretariat of the Ibadan zone of ASUU, located at the University of Ibadan, have been grounded.
It was learnt that this was not unconnected with the one-week mourning period declared by the national leadership of the union to mourn Iyayi.
A visit to the ever-busy University of Ibadan secretariat of the union indicated that activities have been suspended.