Labour and human rights activists from across the country are expected to gather in Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday, for a Solidarity March in honour of their departed colleague and former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Festus Iyayi, who was killed by the Kogi State Governor’s convoy three weeks ago.
The march would kick start the burial rites for the 66-year old renowned writer and Commonwealth Award Winner for Literature.
Organisers of the programme said it would begin at 9 a.m. from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Benin and would terminate at his residence on 11, Bello Street, Off Benin-Lagos Road, Isihor where tributes would paid to him at a lecture titled “Festus Iyayi: Hero of the Revolution”.
Other highlights of the programme would include cultural performances, literary rendition, dances and video documentary on the life and times of the departed activist.
A candle light procession is also slated for the deceased at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Benin, later in the evening at 7 p.m.
The burial programme by the family also showed that a Vigil Mass/Service of Songs would hold on Thursday at his residence between 4 and 6 p.m., to be followed by a Night of Readings and Tributes also at his residence from 7 to 9 p.m.
A lying in state would hold at his residence from 8am on Friday, while a Commendation Service is scheduled for Akin Deko (Main) Auditorium, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City at 10 a.m.
The corpse is expected to depart Benin at 12 noon for Ugbegun, Esan Central Local Government Area where another lying in state has been planned for 2 p.m. A vigil that would also feature readings and tributes is scheduled for the country home from 8 p.m.
A funeral mass is slated for 8 a.m. on Saturday, to be followed by internment. The burial events would be rounded off on Sunday, with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Ugbegun.
Late Iyayi was a first class graduate of Economics, a distinguished professor of Business Administration and a writer. He was also a former president, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR,
He was the winner of the Commonwealth Literary Prize for his novel ‘Heroes’ in 1988 and Winner, Silver Gong for Literature, National Festival of Arts, for his novel ‘Violence’ in 1983. The acclaimed radical activist also won the ANA Book of the Year Award in 1997 and the Pius Okigbo Prize for Literature in 1997 for his collection of short stories ‘Awaiting Court Martial.’
He was also winner, Kennedy National Essay Competition in 1968.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/150764-activists-set-heroic-march-festus-iyayi-begins-journey-home.html

Will that make them to call off the prolonged strike? If it is, am in total support of it.

LET THEM GO & DIE?
And not forget to collect their 2k. Nigerian k, not the Greek.

Invitation! Invitation! Invitation!

This is to inform and invite the general public to
an Afternoon of Tributes, Poetry recitation and Songs
in honour of the late Leader of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
COMRADE, PROFESSOR FESTUS IYAYI,
who lost his life in the course of the ongoing struggle to Save Public Education and guarantee a future for the Nigerian child.

DATE: Wednesday 4th December, 2013
VENUE: University of Ibadan
TIME: 10:30 am -12:30

ASUU Says: Do Not Mourn; Mobilise.
https://www.nairaland.com/1541004/tribute-festus-iyayiwho-lost-life

This Is Serious.