President Bola Tinubu has expressed his deep condolences following the death of Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and a world-renowned literary scholar, who passed away on Wednesday.
In a tribute released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the late scholar as a public intellectual whose absence will be felt across the fields of African literature, cultural theory, and postcolonial studies.
He specifically highlighted Jeyifo’s “masterful interpretation” of the works of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
President Tinubu praised the “temperance, foresight, and wisdom” that Jeyifo utilized while leading ASUU, noting his role in establishing negotiation frameworks with the government to better the Nigerian university system.
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He emphasized that the Professor’s commitment to social justice and academic freedom would serve as a lasting reference for future generations of activists and writers.
The President extended his sympathies to various institutions where Jeyifo left an indelible mark, including the University of Ibadan, Harvard University, Cornell University, and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Reflecting on their connection, the President stated: “Nigeria and the global academic community have lost a towering figure and outstanding global citizen. Professor Biodun Jeyifo was an intellectual giant who dedicated his entire life to knowledge production and the promotion of human dignity. I share a strong personal relationship with him. His contributions to the literary and cultural advancement and to society at large will be missed.”
Professor Jeyifo, a recipient of the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2019, was celebrated as one of Africa’s most formidable intellectuals. President Tinubu concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the scholar’s soul.
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