Iyayi: Unintended, biggest casualty of ASUU strike

While various stakeholders including students, parents, government count their losses regarding the needlessly prolonged strike, Prof Iyayi paid the supreme sacrifice, thus becoming the biggest casualty.His death is a big loss to the nation. His demise is a terrible blow to the academic community. Nigeria has carelessly lost an erudite scholar. Prof. Iyayi’s death has […]

While various stakeholders including students, parents, government count their losses regarding the needlessly prolonged strike, Prof Iyayi paid the supreme sacrifice, thus becoming the biggest casualty.
His death is a big loss to the nation. His demise is a terrible blow to the academic community. Nigeria has carelessly lost an erudite scholar. Prof. Iyayi’s death has not only diminished the nation, but has also farther eroded the already diseased academic system. Indeed, Nigeria has cavalierly allowed a library to be burnt down.
I encountered Prof. Iyayi in my final year in the University of Ibadan through one of his novels entitled Violence which satirically chro-nicles the societal injustice, precipitating violence in the country. The creative work is so socially gripping and vividly depicting the ills in our country to such an impressive level that I challenged political office holders to read the book in a write up entitled “Why leaders must read Iyayi’s Violence” published by many newspapers in June 1, 2011
Known for his radical and sometimes tough stance on social and political issues, the University of Bradford graduate gallantly  fought and died for the cause of common man as he was detained in 1986 on account of his quality leadership of ASUU, being the President of the union during the military era. It was the same ASUU meeting he was going to attend before meeting his untimely death on our death-trap called Nigerian road.
I think the only way to immortalize Prof. Iyayi is for government to give deserved attention to our gasping education sector. The likes of Iyayi should not have been allowed to die on the road fighting for laboratories to be equipped. Again, his death has brought to the fore, the condition of our roads. Some of our roads are dangerous, characterized by deep gullies and potholes. Must we continue to lose refined minds like Iyayi to bad roads? Enough of repetition of unfulfilled promises! Let those concerned rise to safe life.
   
Sunday Saanu, Media Relations Officer, Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan,
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