BY UKANDI ODEY, JOS – Preparations have entered the last stage as Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State is set to host sympathisers and friends from all over the world who will be in the State to witness the final interment of the remains of Second Republic President of the Senate, Dr Joseph Wayas, on November 30, 2024.
As at press time, the various sub-committees were busy putting finishing touches to their assignments, as the chairman of the Central Planning Committee and deputy governor of the State, Dr Peter Odey, inspected progress of work at the Obanliku home and burial site of the deceased.
The deputy governor later presided over a meeting of the Central Planning Committee held at the Glass House, Government House, Calabar, where a comprehensive programme of the burial activities was announced.
Odey at the end of the meeting commended members of the committee for their unwavering support and cooperation to ensure that the burial plans proceed smoothly, culminating in a hitch-free well advertised funeral event.
He said that Cross River State is set to host dignitaries from all over the world in Calabar and in the home of the deceased former Senate President as the State is committed to according him a befitting burial.
According to the Committee, a service of songs at the Assemblies of God Church, Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki, Abuja, will commence the programme of interment activities on Saturday, November 23.
The outlook of the programme indicates further that on Thursday November 28, the body will depart the mortuary, make a brief stop at the late parliamentarian’s Abuja residence, before a valedictory session at the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
The programme also shows that there will be a brief reception at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, before lying-in-State and night of tributes at the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
The Central Planning Committee also approved as part of the programme that a night vigil at the deceased country home in Sankwala, Obanliku local government area, will take place on November 29, before his final interment after Church funeral service and traditional rites of passage, according to the statement signed by the Press Secretary to deputy governor, Fred Abua, who is also secretary of the publicity sub-committee for the burial.
The well-attended meeting at the Glass House, Government House, Calabar, last Monday, had the alternate chairman of the CPC, Justice Maurice Eneji, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Secretary of the CPC, Dr Don Cklaimz, among a cream of other committee members.
