Ayade announces death of Wayas, he was a special breed, his death painful_Obasanjo

The Cross River state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has announced the death of a former Nigerian senate president in the Second Republic Dr. Joseph Wayas who passed on in the early hours of Thursday.

The octogenarian was reported to have been in a London hospital for months owing to protracted ailment.

In a statement credited to the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Christian Ita, Ayade described his death as “a monumental loss to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria as a whole”.

“He was a rare gem. Dr. Wayas’ demise is indeed a monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria.”

According to the governor, “as Senate President, Dr. Wayas contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership of the upper legislative chamber.

“And since his retirement from active politics, the former Senate President had been playing a fatherly and stabilising role in the politics and affairs of our state.”

Also, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the late Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas lived for the welfare and security of the common man.

Obasanjo, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Thursday, noted that the federal lawmaker who held sway during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in 1979, would “be sorely missed in view of his giant political strides and contributions to the building of the Nigerian nation, starting from his birthplace, Bassang, in Cross River State, to every nook and cranny of the country.

“Dr. Wayas was a special breed who contributed immensely to the development of the country and became a parliamentarian in the Second Republic.

“He was such a great patriot who had contributed his own quota to the legislative governance and overall development of Nigeria. He always pitched its tent with the truth. He maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues in the Senate and was well-groomed in legislative practices and procedures,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said.

His knowledge of practices and procedures of the Senate, according to Obasanjo “helped him greatly in running the affairs of the Senate. He demonstrated high level of maturity and level-headedness. His disposition towards effective nation-building remains unparalleled.

“He lived for the welfare and security of the common man. His passion for a better and safer society was exceptional. His steadfastness, commitment to the cause of one Nigeria, and optimistic spirit towards national development will continue to inspire us both now and in the future.”

Governor Ayade condoled with his family, assuring them that his demise is a collective loss and the pains a shared one, adding, “we are with you in this moment of grief.

Former President Obasanjo commiserated with his family, Governor Benedict Ayade, the entire people of Cross River State, as well as all associates of the late statesman across the country over the unfortunate incident saying they should be comforted by the fact that “the deceased left a worthy legacy of selfless service and a good name.”

Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on May 21, 1941, and had his secondary school education at Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha before proceeding to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London.

The former senate president also attended the West Bromwich College of Commerce, Science, and Technology, Birmingham, and Aston University, Birmingham.

He served as third Senate President from 1979 to 1983 before the Shagari led government was disrupted by a coup that ushered in the then General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s head of state.

He was a founding member of the now-defunct All People’s Party. He later joined the now opposition People’s Democratic Party in 2002.