Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has directed that the remains of a former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas, should be repatriated from the United Kingdom to Nigeria.
Wayas died three years ago in a UK hospital after a lingering old age related ailment and his remains have been in a London morgue ever since.
A concerned group known as ‘Who Is Who in Cross River North Senatorial District’ convened by Dr Dorm Clemz Ehamhe decided to raise funds so as to clear accumulated mortuary and allied fees, and repatriate the body of the Nigerian former number three man back home for burial.
Wayas was Senate President during late President Shehu Shagari’s government from October 1979 to December 1983.
The Who Is Who and another Think Tank met with Gov Otu on Friday.
Otu directed that the funds they have raised so far for same purpose be collapsed, commending them for uniting to give Wayas a befitting burial in his home town.
Expressing gratitude to the governor for his interest and intervention in Wayss’ burial, Ehamhe expressed hope that the funeral will soon hold in his native Bassang community in Obanliku LGA of the state.
“Let me authoritatively confirm that after the meetings of both committees with the governor, he has directed that both committees should harmonize their accounts and mobilize to repatriate the body of our late distinguished leader back home.
“Since then efforts have been ongoing and as at today, I can confirm that it is just a matter of days and weeks that we would return to inform the actual date that the governor, working with the relevant stakeholders in the country, will announce to all as the arrival date of the body back to Nigeria.”
He appealed for all to be patient and accommodating as they work together to achieve the purpose.
According to him, former governors, members of Who Is Who in northern Cross River as well as well meaning persons in the state have been of immense help towards the repatriation of Wayas’ body to Nigeria.
However, he noted that members of Wayas’ family were now very supportive and understanding.
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