Fmr. Nigeria’s Senate President Joe Wayas for burial on November 30
Three years after the demise of the former Nigeria’s Senate President Dr. Joseph Wayas when he died in a London Hospital in UK, and three months after his corpse arrived Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory, all is now set to commit his remains for burial.
According to the forum of Northern Cross River indigenes, November 30th, 2024 has been fixed for his burial in his hometown… in Obudu Local Government Area, Cross River State.
And baring any shift in the date of the burial, this will put an end to the burial intrigues and public discontent since his death on December 2nd, 2021 after a brief illness at a London hospital.
Several condolences were sent by high profile public figures particularly from the national assembly.
Earlier, in December 2021 around the period of his death, the then President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, former Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, and a former President of the Red Chamber, Senator David Mark, had commiserated with the family of the deceased second republic Senate President, Joseph Wayas.
The former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan in a statement by his media office at the time, mourned with the government and people of Cross River State as well as friends and political associates of the late elder statesman.
He said, “Senator Joseph Wayas was a great lawmaker and political leader who served his country and people with dedication and integrity.
“As the Senate President in the Second Republic, Senator Wayas led the upper chamber with competence and passion. He was a great symbol of his political era.
“Senator Wayas continued to contribute to nation-building, democracy, and socio-economic development of Nigeria even after he left public office in 1983.
“He played a significant role as Deputy Chairman of the 1994-95 National Constitutional Conference and took part in many other national assignments. Nigeria will surely miss his wealth of experience,” Lawan said.
He prayed God to grant Senator Wayas’ “gentle soul a sweet repose and to his loved ones the fortitude to bear his loss.”
On his part, former Governor Ben Ayade described his demise as a monumental loss to the State and Nigeria.
Sen. Ayade noted that the Obudu-born Wayas has left indelible footprints.
“As a State, Cross River is in pain as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. Dr. Wayas’ demise is indeed a monumental loss to our dear State and Nigeria,” Ayade said in a release by his former Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita.
He added that “as Senate President, Dr. Wayas contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy 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 stabilizing role in the politics and affairs of our State.”
He condoled the deceased family, reiterating that his demise is a collective loss and the pain is shared.
Other political heavyweights who issued condolences were the former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, among others.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
