By Patrick Obia
Three years after the demise of the former Senate President of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Wayas, and his corpse deposited at London Hospital, the United Kingdom, and three months after his body touched down, Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, all is set to commit his remains to mother earth.
According to ‘Who is Who forum of Northern Cross River’, the date for his eternal journey is November 30th, 2024 in his hometown in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Without shifting further date for his burial, it will put an end to the burial battle and public uproar since he was called yonder on December 2nd, 2021 after a brief illness in London hospital in England.
Mourning Rolls
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 defunct Second Republic Senate President, Joseph Wayas, who died three years ago.
The former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan in a statement by his then media office, mourned with the government and people of Cross River State, 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 to 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 with the deceased family, reiterating that his demise is a collective loss and the pain is shared.
Other political heavyweights who consoled include former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, and others.
READ: Lawan, Ayade, Mark, Others Mourn Late Senate President, Joseph Wayas
Body Arrives Nigeria After 36 Months Of Eyebrows
Following his demise on December 2nd, 2021, all roads were leading to Obudu LGA for his befitting burial but weeks, months, and years passed with no burial arrangements in sight. Tongues began to wangle and gave room for insinuations from quarters that attributed the delay to funds and internal family crises.
According to videos and reports, his body landed in Abuja from Heathrow Airport, London, on British Airways flight BA 083 at about 4:40 AM on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
Among those who received his body was the Senators representing Cross River Northern and Central senatorial districts, Sen. Jarigbe Agom and Sen. Eteng Williams, member representing Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency, Honorable Peter Akpanke; the Convener of ‘Who Is Who In Northern Cross River’, Dr. Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Wayas’s children, amongst others who were also at the airport as his body was rolled into National Hospital, Abuja.
READ ALSO: After 3 Years, Late Joseph Wayas Corpse Arrives Nigeria, Governor Otu In The Dark
Governor Otu Set Up Committee After Ayade Committee Failed
Following the demise, then Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, inaugurated a funeral committee immediately to plan for his burial.
The committee was chaired by a two-time Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi.
But arrangements for his burial failed as his remains remained in the UK until family sources complained there was no finance to fund the funeral.
The committee reportedly ran into troubles for lack of funds forcing a former executive secretary of the National Planning Commission, Ntufam Ugbo, to quit the committee.
Meanwhile, following his body’s arrival in the country in July this year, Governor Bassey Otu, set up a 9-man committee to begin preparation for his befitting burial.
RELATED: Governor Otu Sets Up 9-Man Committee For Late Joseph Wayas’ Burial
In a press release made available by Governor Otu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gill Nsa, the committee was constituted during a session of the State Executive Council meeting. It was preceded by a one-minute silence conducted by the Governor.
The Central Planning Committee has 22 members and is led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Honorable Peter Odey, as the Chairman.
Justice Maurice Eneji Rtd, former Chief Judge of the State, is the Alternate Chairman of the Committee, while Chief Dr. Dorncklàimz Enamhe is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Senator Kanu Agabi SAN, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, Mr. Johnny Agim SAN, Senator Mathew Mbu Jr. Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Senator Musa Adede, Senator John Owan-Enoh, Senator Stephen Odey, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, Hon. Godwin Offiono, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Barrister (Mrs.) Zainab Bio Ibrahim and Dr. Chris Ojikpong.
The committee was directed to commence preparations immediately and devise a proposed date that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu will confirm.
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