Senate honours Wayas, holds valedictory session

The Senate on Thursday held a valedictory session in honour of its Second Republic President, the late Dr. Joseph Wayas.

Wayas, who served as Senate President from 1979 to 1983, will be buried this weekend, 41 years after leaving office. He held the position during the administration of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Wayas passed away on November 30, 2021, in London at the age of 80 after a period of ill health. He was born on May 21, 1941.

The valedictory session, held three years after his demise, was delayed due to burial arrangements, though not attributed to the Senate.

Most senators paid glowing tributes to Wayas, highlighting his contributions as a political leader. While many admitted they never met him, others recalled being in their early years or not yet born during his tenure.

Among those present, there were no contemporaries of Wayas, as many from his era had passed on.

Reflecting on his legacy, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Wayas as a “trailblazer who brought glamour and candour to the legislature after years of military rule.”

Akpabio noted the challenges faced by Second Republic legislators in rebuilding the system after years of military governance.

“He was a believer in one Nigeria, who said Nigeria must remain one to achieve long-term goals,” Akpabio added.

Deputy Senate President Sen. Barau Jibrin highlighted the lessons of contentment and selflessness from Wayas’ generation.

“Most of the politicians of that era served selflessly and didn’t see any need to amass wealth by soiling their names with corruption,” Jibrin said.

He emphasised that politicians of Wayas’ time held public office as a trust, which made anti-corruption agencies unnecessary.

“He was a pan-Nigerian who could speak all the major languages. He didn’t amass wealth by stealing public funds. He could have done so if he wished because there was no EFCC, ICPC or any other anti-graft agency to go after him,” Jibrin added.

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Seriake Dickson, lauded Wayas for promoting unity and advocating for the South-South region.

“He belonged to a generation that rendered selfless service to this country,” Dickson said.

“He was a great family man and servant of the people, who served man and God in his lifetime. He presided over this chamber and worked with dignity to the best of his abilities. He led the South-South Assembly, and we thank him for all that he did for the people of Nigeria and the South-South. There was no doubt that he stabilised the government of Shehu Shagari,” Dickson concluded.

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