By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Obanliku chapter of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has berated the Cross River State government for sharing images of the Senate President of the second republic, Joseph Wayas in his sick bed in London, the United Kingdom.
Wayas, 80, has been battling with an undisclosed health challenge since 2013. He was flown to London for treatment.
And, days ago, Betta Edu, the health commissioner, shared on Facebook, photographs of her with the elder statesman in London, which the NYCN says is “disrespectful.”
A statement issued by Akah, Pius Odey, the NYCN Chairman said it is, “strongly frowning at the distribution of private photos of him together with the Cross River State Commissioner for health Dr. Betta Edu all over social media.” The NYCN also averred that, Wayas, who served as the third President of the Nigerian Senate, “has since remained a paragon of excellence to Cross River State and as such deserves all the honour, dignity, and respect befitting him, especially on his sickbed in his old age.”
“We conclude that this circulation of his pictures on social media is disrespectful to his personality and if approved by the government, then it has ultimately destroyed the good intention otherwise, the Commissioner for health should immediately swing into action and insist on the perpetrators to take down such publications from the media space,” the statement read.
Aides of Governor Ayade had shared photographs of Dr. Edu and Mr. Wayas on social media with captions that suggested the commissioner represented the Governor. The statement published in some Newspapers said the Governor had taken keen interest in the health of the former Senate president.
“The Governor has been sending financial support to the family to nurse him back to good health as well as support to some of his personal welfare needs which would have otherwise put pressure on the family,” the sponsored story read.
“The family sent their immense gratitude to the Governor Sen Ben Ayade for his continuous support to the upkeep of their Father, noting that his support has gone a long way to elongate the life of their father. The further requested the state to assist their father get back to Nigeria upon discharge, which the Governor has graciously granted approval,” it further read.
It will be recalled that Governor Ayade had, in November 2020, “ordered” the Mrs. Edu to “visit the ailing statesman in London and oversee his treatment,” a statement, that drew public ire and authored by his spokesman, Christian Ita read at the time.
“Following information that former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas is ill in London, His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade has directed that the Cross River State Government takes over the management of his health immediately,” read a statement dated Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
“Consequently, His Excellency has ordered the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, to visit the ailing statesman in London and oversee his treatment.
“The governor further directs the Commissioner to ensure that no expense is spared in the effort to nurse Dr. Wayas back to health,” the statement had read.
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