said that late Prof. Festus Iyayi will be missed for his
contributions to the academic community, workers movement
and Nigeria's pro-democracy movement.
In a condolence message signed by Maku and made available
to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the minister
condoled with the family, friends and relatives of the
deceased.
It stated that death had robbed Nigeria of one of Africa's most
fertile minds and a devoted advocate for Africa's renaissance.
"I received with utter shock and disbelief the sad news of the
sudden death in an auto crash of one of Nigeria's foremost
patriots and literary icons, Prof. Festus Iyayi.
" His death coming so close after the demise of Prof. Chinua
Achebe; the incidence has robbed Nigeria, Africa and indeed
the entire literary world of two outstanding giants, who made
distinctive contributions to Africa's literature,'' Maku said.
The statement extolled the qualities and exemplary life that
the late Iyayi, "who lived and died for particularly the cause
of democracy in Nigeria and in Africa".
It stated: "Festus Iyayi lived his life fighting for a better
Nigeria. In his entire academic and literary career, he was
totally and completely devoted to national service.
"He was never one of those scholars seen at the corridors of
power seeking favours; he devoted his life to scholarship and
active struggle for the democratisation and transformation of
Nigeria.''
The statement, which described Iyayi as a personal friend to
the Information Minister, said that Iyayi's interest and
devotion to Nigeria and Africa never waned for a moment.
It stated that the memory of Iyayi's contributions and ideas
would continue to guide those he left behind and future
generations in the service of the nation and humanity.
Prof. Festus Iyayi died in an auto crash in Lokoja on Monday.
He was on his way to attend a National Executive Council
(NEC) meeting of ASUU scheduled to take place in Kano.
Via: NAN
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