FG Plans State Burial For Ex-Senate President Wayas Nov 30

• Funeral rites slated for UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar
• Final resting place family compound in Bassang community, Obanliku 

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Finally, it has been confirmed that the remains of former President of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Dr Joseph Wayas will now be laid to rest in his hometown of Obanlikwu Local Government Area of Cross River on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

The Secretary of the Burial Central Planning Committee, Dr Dorn Clemenz Enambhe told newsmen in Calabar, the Cross River State capital that following the intervention of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, preparations for the burial have now reached an advanced stage.

According to Enambhe, all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the former senate president is granted a State burial befitting his status with the Office of the Senate President confirming Wayas’s body will be evacuated from the National Hospital Abuja to UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar

He said confirmation has also come from some past Heads of state and former Senate Presidents of their readiness to grace the public funeral slated for UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar before the body is finally moved by road to the final resting place in his Bassang community in Obanliku LGA, Cross River State.

Dr Enambhe praised Governor Otu, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and other well-meaning individuals for their invaluable contributions toward ensuring that the late Dr. Joseph Wayas receives a remarkable national burial befitting his status as a former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He quoted Senator Akpabio as expressing deep commitments toward honouring one of his predecessors at a state funeral and also saying that Wayas’ legacies and dedication to the cause of national unity deserved much respect from all, especially Senate leadership.

“Akpabio’s willingness to honour Dr Wayas by arranging transportation of the remains from Abuja to Calabar and then onward to Bassang community of Obanliku LGA  speaks volumes about his respect for the legacy of this great national icon,” Enambhe said

Further highlighting activities for the funeral rites, the Committee Scribe said after the late elder statesman is paid the last respect openly at the Calabar Stadium, he would then be flown home to his final resting place in the family compound in Obanlikwu local government area

For him, the media deserved commendation for consistently drawing public attention to the fact that the former Senate President’s remains may have been forgotten in the United Kingdom (UK).

Senator Wayas died in the United Kingdom in November 2021 after a protracted illness and his body was eventually flown to Abuja National Hospital on July 10, 2024, through the efforts of Who Is Who In Northern Cross River Forum and Governor Bassey Otu.

Also speaking on the burial plans, Gill Nsa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu, explained the reason for having the funeral ceremony mainly in Calabar instead of the faraway Bassang community in Obanliku.

Gill said; “Several very senior citizens, including past presidents and governors who are elderly, have indicated that they will personally attend and that the stress of traveling to the Bassang community would tell on their health. We have to respect their position and hold the funeral in Calabar”