The Senate yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late Joseph Wayas, who died on Nov. 30, 2021, at 80.

Wayas was Nigeria’s Senate President during the Second Republic. The former Senate president was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross-River State on May 21, 1941.

Leader of the Senate, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, while leading the valedictory session in honour of the late Wayas at plenary, gave an overview of his lifetime journey.

“He attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. 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.

“Returning to Nigeria, he worked as a manager from 1960-1969 for several companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom;

“He also joined the Federal Government in 1969-72. He was commissioner for Transport, South-Eastern State, now Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74.

“With the transition to civil rule in 1979, Sen. Wayas was elected to the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform and appointed Senate President.

“He represented the Ogoja Senatorial District alongside Sen. Joseph Ansa who represented Calabar Senatorial District.”

On his part, Senate minority leader, Sen. Abba Moro said, “Wayas was homely, amiable and was all smiles every time.

“He was a very committed Nigerian. He presided over the Senate when Nigeria was struggling to get her foothold on democracy and procedures of democracy.

“Aside the founding fathers of democracy in Nigeria, Wayas was the founding father of the new generation of democrats at that time.”

In his tribute, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said that Wayas brought glamour and candour to the legislature.

In his tribute, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP- Bayelsa) said Wayas gave his very best, adding “He had an opportunity to preside over the chamber in the second republic, an assignment he carried on with dignity to the best of his abilities.”

Recall that the corpse of Wayas, who died in a London hospital, was brought to Nigeria on July 10, 2024 after over two years in a United Kingdom morgue.

He is due for burial in Cross River State on Nov. 30, three years after his demise.