Following the untimely
death of the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi through a ghastly motor accident on November 12, 2013, the union has called on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other law enforcement agencies to check the use and abuse of sirens on roads in the country.
The Chairman of ASUU, Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Dr. Beke Sese in a statement issued in memory of Prof. Festus Iyayi regretted that the use and abuse of sirens by the ruling class in the country had become a recurring decimal to the extent that, “they threaten and harass ordinary Nigerians while being escorted by intimidating armed security men racing dangerously at break-neck speed without regard to the safety of other road users”.
He further noted that the use of sirens has become so abused in the country that one can no longer tell  those duly authorised to use them anymore.
The ASUU chairman while lamenting the death of Prof. Iyayi said the erudite scholar lived and died fighting for equity and social justice, stressing that “he spent his life defending the rights of the ordinary Nigerians and fighting to ensure that quality tertiary education was not only available but also accessible to all Nigerians.
“He fought against policies driven by our neo-colonial masters who believe that we do not deserve to develop as a people and become self-reliant”, he said.
Sese, therefore, urged Nigerians to reflect on the lives of the late former ASUU President and the cause he died for, and stop fanning the embers of disunity across the country but strive to live peaceful and meaningful lives which could compel a change in the attitude of governance.
The union chairman also thanked God for sparing the lives of ASUU former National Welfare Secretary, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Ilo and the Chairman of University of Benin branch of the union, Dr. Anthony Monye-Eminah who were travelling with Prof. Iyayi in the same vehicle on the fateful day.

Donatus Ebi