By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A socio-cultural organisation, the Basang Development Association, BDA, of the Basang nation, a political ward in Obanliku Local Government Area
of Cross River State, the homestead of former late President of the second Senate, Joseph Wayas, has lauded the intervention of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, in the interment of the former Senate President.
Speaking on behalf of the BDA, the President and leader of the 8th Executive Council of the BDA, in Cross River State, Hon Anyawho Sylvanus, appreciated the Senate for its intervention in ensuring a befitting interment for Wayas, who passed on Since November 30, 2021.
Wayas’ body had been laying at the morgue since November 2021, when he passed on. No one can really say or give reasons why his remains should be laying at the mortuary since his death over 16 months ago.
This development led to the lawmakers of the 9th Senate wading into the matter to enable the matter to be laid to rest, with the senator representing Cross River South senatorial district, Senator Gershom Bassey, who doubles as caucus Chairman, Cross River State Caucus at the National Assembly, leading two other senators from the state, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North senatorial district and Senator Sandy Onor, representing Cross River Central to rise up to the occasion to find a way to inter the late former Senate President’s remains.
Following this development, BDA lauded distinguished Senators Bassey, Onor and Jarigbe for taking the delay in Wayas’ burial to the National Assembly.
Hon Sylvanus said, “We received and watch in appreciation your motion as was presented at Senate plenary on Tuesday, the 4th of April, 2023, calling on the Federal Government to take-over the burial arrangements of our son and leader, late Senator Wayas.
“The entire Basang people, both at home and in the diaspora do appreciate your call for Federal Government’s intervention.
“The delayed internment of his remains have become an embarrassment to us, his community, kinsmen, local government, the state as well as the entire country.
“We also appreciate your call on the government to immortalise Senator Wayas by naming the Senate wing of the National Assembly after him.
“As his immediate community, we request through you, our representatives to the National Assembly, that a national library be built in Wayas’ compound; and that the College of Education campus in Bebi be converted to Wayas University of Agriculture and an educational foundation be set up to be headed by His family and Basang community.
“These to us, will be a more appreciable way of immortalizing Senator Wayas.”
Senator Wayas served as Senate President between 1979 to 1983. He died on the 30th of November 2021.
Although, the Cross River State government has set up a committee of eminent personalities to plan his burial, but that has yet to materialize.
