Nigeria’s Ex-Senate President Joseph Wayas buried amid tributes
BY OLIVER UDEOGU
A cross section of notable dignitaries had gathered in Sankwala in Obanlika Local Government Area of Cross River State on Saturday November the 30th, to pay tribute to a foremost Statesman and Politician, Late Dr Joseph Wayas, who was Nigeria’s Senate President in the Second Republic.
The late Joseph Wayas died on the 30th day of November 2021, in a London hospital, at the age of 80.
Among the dignitaries present at the burial event, were the immediate past governor of Cross River State Professor Ben Ayade, Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, Senator John Owan Enih, as well as serving members of the National Assembly.
The three day funeral ceremony began with a Service of Songs held in honour of the deceased, at the U.J. Esuene Sports Stadium Calabar.
In his tribute, President Bola Tinubu described the late Wayas as a patriotic citizen who was committed to the unity of the country, and a peace builder with an indelible record of commitment to public service.
The President was represented at the event, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
He urged Nigerians, particularly, the political elites, to emulate the virtues of the late former Senate President.
The State Governor His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, noted that the deceased was committed to a united Cross River State and the country until his demise.
While describing his passage as a monumental loss both to the State and Country, he pledged to uphold the legacy of the late Senator.
The Nigerian Senate President in his remarks during the Service of Songs held in honour of the deceased, consoled with the bereaved family while urging them to embrace peace, love and unity, in order to sustain the legacies of their late Patriarch.
“Wayas sterling qualities would continue to inspire generations yet to come” Senate President Godswill Akpabio added.
Amid grief, eulogies and funeral farewell songs by dignitaries, friends and well wishers of the Wayas’, the remains of the elderstatesman was taken to his grave by the Apams Funeral, where it was laid to rest.
The late former Senate President Joseph Wayas, was Nigeria’s Senate President, in the late President Shehu Shagari administration, between 1979 to 1983, under the then platform of the defunct National Party Of Nigeria (NPN).
He was Commissioner for Transport in the then East Central State region of the country, from 1972 to 1974.
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Ex-Senate President, Joseph Wayas for burial Saturday Nov 30