The Federal Government on Friday says it will implement the decisions reached in the course of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the letter.
The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike disclosed this in Benin when he visited the residence of the late ASUU leader, Prof. Festus Iyayi to condole with the family.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant, Media to the minister, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike led the Federal Government delegation including the National Universities Commission, NUC.
The statement quoted the minister to have assured the family that the ideals that the late scholar fought and died for “will never be forgotten’’.
“The Federal Government will diligently implement the decisions reached in the course of negotiations with ASUU.
“President Goodluck Jonathan and his entire administration were deeply pained by the sudden death of the former ASUU National President.
“The government and Nigerians in general appreciated the key part our late brother played in the negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government.
“The significant contributions of Professor Iyayi during the 13-hour negotiations between Mr President and ASUU, which led to headway in the discussions was still fresh in our memory.
“The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to be a part of the burial of this erudite scholar and we seek the permission of the family to participate in the burial.
“I pray to God to grant the family the strength to bear this unfortunate loss,’’ the statement quoted the minister as saying.
Responding, son of the late ASUU President, Oriabure Iyayi, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Education and all Nigerians for commiserating with the family at their moment of grief.
Also speaking, a relative of the deceased, Prof. Robert Ebiwele informed the minister that the burial would hold between Dec. 5 and 9.
Ebiwele assured the minister that the family would inform the Federal Ministry of Education of the burial arrangements.
According to the statement, it was an emotional meeting as everyone on the delegation publicly betrayed their emotions upon sighting Mrs Grace Iyayi, the widow of the former labour leader.
The delegation also visited the injured ASUU National Welfare Officer, Dr Ngozi Iloh at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where she is said to have stabilised.
