A former Nigeria’s Senate President in the second republic, Dr Joseph Wayas, has died in the early hours of Tuesday, at a London hospital at the age of 80.
This is as the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has expressed regret at the death of Wayas, which he described as a monumental loss to the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, in which he said the Governor remarked that Wayas, who was the senate president between 1979 and 1983, left indelible footprints on the sands of time.
The statement reads;
As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. The demise of Dr Wayas 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.
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.
Ayade condoled with the Wayas family, assuring that his demise was a collective loss and the pains a shared one.
The Cross River State government also assured the family of the deceased that it is with them in this moment of grief and have them in its hearts and prayers.
