The remains of the late former Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Joseph Wayas has, today, at 4.40am, arrived the International Airport Abuja, Nigeria, from Heathrow Airport London, United Kingdom, onboard British Airways BA O83.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Taking custody of the corps of the elder Statesman, Dr. Joseph Wayas, former Senate President and one-time Acting President of Nigeria, from the British Airway hangar in Abuja, Who’s Who Forum of Northern Cross River, an elite body of northern extraction facilitating his funeral arrangement, said Wayas’ arrival into the country marks the first remarkable step to giving him a befitting burial and bringing the avoidable endless squabbles over his burial to an end.
In a release by Convener of Who’s Who Forum of Northern Cross River, Papa Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, stated that “All that this group has done was borne out of a patriotic zeal to intervene and assist in the burial processes.
“The same goodwill that saw us intervene in the Belegete crisis and the recent one in Yala is what has spurred us on.
“We had no intention whatsoever to usurp any role that should be played by the family.
“Therefore, our intervention should not be misconstrued as interlopers whose intention is to hijack the burial of the Second Republic’s number three citizen, the late Joseph Wayas.”
The elite body maintained that it could not sit back and watch the world make mockery at the abandoned corpse of the late sage abroad for whatever reason(s), hence the involvement of the group.
“However, if in the process of our intervention any untoward action or statement was made that is injurious to the family, we sincerely apologize.
“At this point, we are calling on all of us including the family to close ranks let us collaborate with the federal, state, local governments including the traditional council to commence and bring the final burial rites to a closure.
“It is a win-win situation for everyone.
“Our Hero will be laid to rest befittingly beside his ancestors and we will have a place to point to and say here lies our Hero.
“We wish to say a big thank you to President Bola Tinubu GCFR, Senate President Godswil Akpabio CON, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Senator Jarigbe Agom, and Rt Hon Abike Dabri Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for their immense contribution to this course.
“Our gratitude goes to the office of the Nigeria High Commission especially to Ambassador Sarafat Tunji Isola the High Commissioner, the London team led by Aunty Echiko Odey, Capt. Afen Idagu, Chief Okom John Okom, and co-Convener, Johnny Agim SAN, who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to service.
“May I use this medium to thank the chairman of the burial committee former Acting Chief Judge of Cross River State, His Lordship Justice Maurice Eneji, who had been relentless in his commitment to this course.
“We also thank our father, the legal icon and former attorney general of Nigeria, Mr philanthropist, Senator Kanu Agabi CON, and the people of Northern Cross River State for going all out to believe in community service and being our brother’s keepers,” the Who’s Who Forum concluded.
Late Wayas, born 21 May 1941, died on 30 November 2021 in a london hospital after a lingering sickness.
He was Senate President from 1979 to 1983.
Former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, first managed his health condition, and when he died, the state government released N200 million for repatriation of the body and burial.
However, soon after, a family crisis ensued which delayed the funeral.
In the report dated February 27, Justice Eneji said the committee has been very proactive, meeting regularly and is committed to ensuring that the body is repatriated for the burial.
However, he said they were still in need of a further £60,478, that is, N120,934,992, and have launched a passionate appeal towards raising the amount.