Wayas: We Have Lost a Rare Gem, Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu yesterday joined fellow Nigerians in bidding farewell to former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, during his funeral at his hometown in Obanliko, Cross River State.

Dr. Joseph Wayas, a former Transport Commissioner of the Eastern Region and a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly, passed away on November 30, 2021.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Dr. George Akume, President Tinubu praised the late Wayas as a rare gem whose invaluable contributions to national development will be deeply missed.

The president prayed for God to console the Wayas family and grant the departed soul eternal rest, assuring the family of both governmental and public support during this challenging time.

The SGF also used the occasion to urge Nigerians to remain patient with the Tinubu administration, emphasising that the positive outcomes of its efforts would soon be felt by the people.

Speaking on behalf of the Second Republic Senators, Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Senator Jacob Tilley-Gyado, described Wayas’s passing as a tragic moment for the country’s minority ethnic groups.

He highlighted that Dr. Wayas had been instrumental in advocating for the recognition of minority rights during his tenure as Senate President from 1979 to 1983.

Senator Gyado also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, represented by Senator Akume, for the dignified funeral rites held in honor of the late senator.

On behalf of the Wayas family, Joseph Wayas Junior, son of the late Senate President, thanked President Tinubu, the members of the Second Republic Senate, and Nigerians for their support during their time of mourning.

The SGF was accompanied to the burial by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akuta, Executive Director of Finance at the Federal Housing Authority Dr. Mathias Byuan, and numerous other officials and dignitaries.