Basang Community Applauds NASS’ Motion On Wayas’ Burial
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Basang Community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State has applauded the National Assembly (NASS) for urging the Federal Government to take over the burial of Dr Joe Wayas, who was President of the Nigerian Senate between 1979 and 1983.
The President of Basang Community Development Association (BACDA), Hon Anyawho Sylvanus, who described the controversy surrounding the former Senate President’s remains as a national embarrassment, commended the lawmakers for their intervention.
Sylvanus said issue is not only giving the Community sleepless nights, but has equally put a serious dent on the Federal Government’s image abroad.
He stated that the Basang Community is ready to cooperate with the federal authorities in ensuring that their illustrious son is given a befitting state burial.
The BACDA President specially gave kudos to Senator Gershom Bassey for moving the motion urging the Federal Government to urgently take over the late Wayas’ funeral plans as well as accord his remains a State burial
Senator Bassey, who represents the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River in the upper legislative assembly, had on Tuesday April 4, 2023, moved a motion urging NASS to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the delay and controversy surrounding the burial of Dr Joe Wayas.
Intervening in the continuous stay of Wayas’ remains in the London mortuary, the Senate frowned at what it described as a very ugly incident for the late former number three citizen to remain unburied 14 months after he died in United Kingdom.
While moving the motion at the Senate plenary, Senator Bassey called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, evacuate the remains of the deceased from the London hospital mortuary for a befitting burial in Nigeria.
Also calling for his immortalization, the lawmaker reminded the Senators that it would be too sudden for them to forget the the candour, style and the high degree of knowledge the late Dr Joe Wayas brought to bear on legislative business while presiding over legislative sessions as the Senate president.
Bassey said: “It is very worrisome and embarrassing that 14 months after the death of the former Senate President, his remains still lies in the morgue in UK. The Senate needs to as a matter of urgency, intervene by taking over the burial plans of the deceased.”
Speaking on the motion, many senators expressed sadness over the development and called on the Senate to liaise with relevant authorities for a way out.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said; “The embarrassment at hand with the Joseph Wayas’ remains calls for reflection and I hope the 10th Assembly will do the needful.”
Dr Joe Wayas, who died in London hospital in 2021, is yet to be laid to rest with his burial arrangements not only raising dust within the nucleus family, but becoming a source of embarrassment to the Cross River State government that had intervened at various stages with the release of funds for the remains to be flown back home.
