Ex-Senate President Joseph Wayas Dies In London Hospital
The Second Republic Senate President who had been receiving medical attention for some time passed away at the age of 80.
FORMER Senate President, Joseph Wayas, has died in a London hospital, the Cross River State Government announced on Thursday.
The Second Republic Senate President who had been receiving medical attention for some time passed away at the age of 80.
Reacting, Governor Ben Ayade said Dr Wayas who died on November 30, left indelible footprints on the sands of time.
Ayade in a statement by his spokesman, Christian Ita, described Wayas’ death as a monumental loss to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
“As a state, Cross River is in pains 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 was quoted as saying in the statement.
“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.”
He commiserated with the Wayas’ family, noting that his demise is a collective loss and the pains a shared one.
“We are with you in this moment of grief. We have you in our hearts and prayers,” the governor assured the family.
A beneficiary of federal government scholarship, Wayas, who is fluent in several Nigerian languages, trained in the United States and United Kingdom.
After his doctorate degree, Wayas returned to Nigeria in 1973, and was at the airport appointed Commissioner by late Brigadier Jacob Esuene, military governor of the now defunct South-eastern state.
At the time Wayas was 26.
In 1977, aged 34, Wayas was elected into the Constituent Assembly. Two years later, at 36, Wayas, one of the biggest financiers of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was elected President of the Nigerian Senate.
A personal friend of boxing legend Muhammed Ali, and promoter Don King, Wayas, in 1977 caused a stir in the US when he bought off Elizabeth Taylor’s controversial choice home in Beverly Hills.
A very private man since General Muhammed Buhari sacked the Shehu Shagari government in 1983, President Goodluck Jonathan last year honoured Wayas with the rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
