The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin branch, has called on the Federal Government to ban the use of sirens by public office holders in Nigeria.
The union made the call in Ilorin on Monday in a release signed by its Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, on the death of former ASUU president, Prof. Festus Iyayi.
It called on the Federal Government to see the tragic death of Iyayi as a wake-up call on the use of convoys and sirens by government functionaries.
“We call for a declaration of emergency to tackle the death traps that we call roads in this country. The carnage must stop,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Dr. Oloruntoba-Oju as saying in the statement.
According to him, convoys of governors are not meant to terrorise the governed whose taxes are used to buy the cars, pay drivers and ensure their maintenance.
ASUU chairman said that convoys should not convey or deliver death to the masses of the country.
“We join our voices to that of the governor of Lagos State who has clamoured incessantly for a stop to the use of sirens to terrorise citizens,” he added.
Oloruntoba-Oju said that ASUU had declared seven days mourning period for the late former ASUU president.
According to him, November 13 to November 19, had been declared mourning period by ASUU members, adding that flags at all secretariats of the union are to be flown at half-mast.
He also enjoined all ASUU members to wear the symbolic black arm bands or dress in black during the mourning period.