Christian Ita, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade, has announced the passing away of the second Republic Senate President, Joseph Wayas, who died yesterday at 80.
Ita quoted Governor Ayade stating, Wayas’ death is a “monumental loss” to the state and Nigeria stressing that the deceased left “indelible footprints on the sands of time”.
Ayade said, ““As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. Dr Wayas’ demise is indeed a monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria. As Senate President, Dr Wayas contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership of the upper legislative chamber. And since his retirement from active politics, the former Senate President had been playing a fatherly and stabilising role in the politics and affairs of our state”.
Condoling with the family of the deceased, the governor said, “We are with you in this moment of grief. We have you in our hearts and prayers”.
Dr Wayas was born in May 21, 1941. He served as Nigeria’s senate president between 1979 and 1983.
He attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onisha. He went to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London, the West Bronwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology, Birmingham and Aston University, Birmingham. Returning to Nigeria, he worked as a manager or controller from 1960-1969 for several companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Wayas is a member of the Society of International Affairs at the Lincoln University, United States. Wayas joined the Federal Government in 1969-72. He was commissioner for Transport, South Eastern State, now broken into Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74. He was a member of the constituent Assembly in 1977-78.
Wayas was Deputy Chairman of the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference COMMISSION that organised and midwifed the National Conference itself. In 1998 Wayas was a founding member of the All People’s Party. He later joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2001.
Wayas was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA).
