The body of the late Dr. Joseph Wayas, former president of the Senate, will be interred on November 30, 2024, marking three years since his passing on November 30, 2021. This announcement was made during a press conference by Dr. Dorn-Cklaimz Enamhe, Secretary of the Central Planning Committee for the burial, in Calabar.
Wayas, who died at the age of 80 in a London hospital, was repatriated to Nigeria on July 10, 2024, after spending over two years in a UK morgue. Born in 1941 in Obanliku, he served as president of the Senate from 1979 to 1983 during Nigeria’s Second Republic.
Enamhe expressed gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu and others involved in repatriating Wayas’ body, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring that no elder statesman from Cross River who passes away abroad remains in a foreign land. He noted that the governor assured that all such leaders would be brought back to their ancestral homes for burial.
The committee faced challenges in confirming the authenticity of Wayas’ remains, which required collaboration with various authorities in Nigeria and the Nigerian High Commission in the UK. Enamhe stated that Wayas’ family, including his wife and children, assessed the body and confirmed it was indeed their father. Delays in burial were due to disagreements among family members, which have since been resolved.
The funeral service will take place at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar before proceeding to Wayas’ hometown in Bassang, Obanliku Local Government Area. The committee expressed appreciation for media support in keeping the public informed about the situation regarding Wayas’ burial.
