*Commiserate with deceased family, Cross River
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and his Deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have commiserated with the Wayas family and the Cross River State Government over the demise of the Second Republic Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas.
In separate statements on Thursday, the two Presiding officers of the Ninth Senate mourned the former Senate President who died on Thursday morning in London, the United Kingdom at age 80.
On his part, Senator Lawan commiserated with the family of Senator Wayas, the Government and People of Cross River State, friends and political associates of the late elder statesman.
Describing the death of Senator Wayas as a great loss for Nigeria, the ranking Senator said “Senator Joseph Wayas was a great lawmaker and political leader who served his country and people with dedication and integrity.
“As the Senate President in the Second Republic, Senator Wayas led the upper chamber with competence and passion. He was a great symbol of his political era.
“Senator Wayas continued to contribute to nation-building, democracy and socio-economic development of Nigeria even after he left public office in 1983.
“He played a significant role as Deputy Chairman of the 1994-95 National Constitutional Conference and took part in many other national assignments.
“Nigeria will sorely miss his wealth of experience,” Lawan said.
Also paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Senator Omo-Agege declared that the smooth Executive/Legislature working relationship that Nigeria’s third Senate President, Senator Joseph Wayas practicalised during the Second Republic is still being implemented to enhance good governance today.
In a statement expressing his shock and sadness over the transition of the former Presiding Officer in the Red Chamber from 1979 to 1983, Senator Omo-Agege also paid glowing tributes to the late politician for being consistently sensitive to issues of peace, progress and the sustenance of national unity.
The ranking Senator said: “As Senate President, Senator Wayas went to great lengths to ensure that, in the interest of their political party as well as the entire nation, both the Executive and Legislature were on the same page on critical issues before such were brought up at the Senate.
“He was also known for peaceful, patriotic compromise and a lifetime commitment towards working with Nigerians from other parts of the Federation.
“He was an experienced private sector figure who distinguished himself in the public sector, utilising knowledge and experiences gathered abroad to enhance governance in Nigeria.
“As Commissioner for Transport in the old South Eastern state, as a Federal official and as a member of Nigeria’s Constituent Assembly in 1977 – 1979, he consistently worked with others towards resolving critical challenges that impact the lives of citizens.
“Indeed, as we mourn this strong believer in the principles of true Federalism as a mechanism for advancing Nigeria’s democratic growth and development. We must pause to thank God Almighty for his productive life, pray for the eternal repose of his soul and beseech God Almighty to bless the family that he left behind with His enduring grace and mercies”.
