A faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) held yesterday a rally in honour of the late ex-president of the union, Prof Festus Iyayi. The faction, led by Prof Wahab Egbewole, is recognised by the university authorities but not the national body. When the national body got wind of the procession, it reportedly issued a statement banning any procession in honour of its ex- president. It added that it would not accept any attempt by the illegal group to desecrate Iyayi’s memory. But Egbewole argued that nobody could stop such a move to honour the memory of the departed. The lecturers marched from the union’s secretariat in the school premises to the university roundabout and back. Egbewole and other leaders addressed members and reporters. “Prof Festus Iyayi was president of ASUU in the thick of the military regime. He discharged his responsibilities selflessly; he did not take opportunity of that office as we have with some
leaders today. “He was not a representative of the caricature of leaders we have today. “Iyayi was a man, who cherished the rule of law; he was not someone to stay somewhere with a clique to say you have suspended or expelled someone. He also faced the persecutions of leadership. “At UNILORIN, we believe we are not against the leadership of ASUU, but it’s the one who does not want us. Articulate and progressive unionism is what we stand for and we shall continue to do this. “We are out in the sun today for Iyayi and we will do that for any other leader found worthy of such honour. Let them say whatever they like; they said we have been banned from organising this procession but we have just done it and that shows they don’t have our numbers.” Prof Albert Olayemi, ex-chairman of the union in the university, said: “We are today united in grief for the loss of our leader. Iyayi did not insist on continuing as president but here we have people who after 15 years want to continue. “This is the attitude we have here and which is against the position of the national leadership. It’s unfortunate that the national body is condoning such wrong attitude. “Unfortunately, what we have are mere cliques who have hijacked the union; no longer do we have the kind of selfless attitude that Iyayi had. “I do not think anybody has the right to deny us the right to do what we have done today. The directive that we should not hold the procession is senseless and illogical; you said you have expelled somebody and you are still sending directives to him." thenationonlineng.net/new/unilorin-ASUU-faction-holds-procession-iyayi-2/