The remains of Wayas were on board from Heathrow Airport London in the United Kingdom through the British Airways 083 and were received by the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom, a member of the House of Representatives, Peter Akpanke, family members and other stakeholders.
The body was from Heathrow Airport London in the United Kingdom aboard the British Airways 083 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, at 4:40 am, on Wednesday 10th July, 2024.
Born May 21, 1941, he died on November 30, 2021, in a London hospital, following a protracted illness.
While addressing journalists after receiving the body, Senator Jarigbe expressed appreciation, and thanked the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, for facilitating the return of the body of Wayas from London, adding that he was confident that the governor would give the former elder statesman a befitting burial.
He said: “We have come to receive the body of late Senate President, Joseph Wayas, who died two and half years ago, and we just succeeded in bringing the body back to the country through the efforts of the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu.
“We are going to prepare for the funeral, report back to the Governor, and the Governor is going to take it up from there because the late statesman is the responsibility of the government and he will be accorded a state burial.”
However, he said the issues that caused the delay in flying in the body of the late Senate president have been sorted out finally.
The lawmaker also thanked the stakeholders in Cross River North led by the Convener, Dr. Doncklaimz Enamhe, for their collaborative effort and support as he proceeded to sign the condolence register at the Wayas’ Asokoro residence in Abuja.
Also speaking, the member representing Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu federal constituency, Peter Akpanke, said: “We are here to deposit the corpse of our political father, mentor, and former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas. His body was flown into Abuja today from the United Kingdom, UK, and was received by the distinguished senator and all of us. So, we came to the mortuary and the corpse has been deposited.”
On the contributions of the late Senate president to his people and national development, Akpanke noted: “He was a two term Senate President without impeachment. He impacted the lives of most people today, and he brought them up. Like FC Obudu, he brought that school, and built a lot of leaders today, and he was our political leader.”
