10 Things To Know About Late Ex-Senate President, Joseph Wayas

Former Second Republic Senate President, Joseph Wayas, was reported dead early Thursday morning. Here are 10 details you probably don’t know about the late senator.

1. Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on 21 May 1941.

2. He attended the famous Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha.

3. Young Wayas was trained in the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London; West Bromwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology as well as Birmingham and Aston University, Birmingham.

4. The young technocrat joined the civil service in 1969-72 and was made commissioner for Transport in the defunct South-Eastern State, now broken into Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74.

5. He became a member of the constituent Assembly in 1977-78.

6. When General Olusegun Obasanjo terminated military rule in 1979, a vibrant Joseph Wayas was elected to the Senate on the platform of National Party of Nigeria and made the Senate President.

7. He represented the Ogoja senatorial district alongside senator Joseph Oqua Ansa who represented calabar senatorial district Wayas had an excellent relationship with president Shehu Shagari, ensuring that bills were generally discussed and agreed before being introduced.

8. Under his leadership, the Senate summoned Tony Momoh, who was editor of the Daily Times, for contempt. This caused a major legal battle in which Momoh successfully argued that as a journalist he was empowered by the constitution to hold the government accountable at all times.

9. While visiting the United States in September 1981, Wayas was entertained by boxer Muhammad Ali, who threw a spectacular party in his honour. Ali had previously visited Nigeria and received red-carpet treatment.

10. Wayas last major appearance on the political scene was in 2010 when he was honoured with the rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger by former President Goodluck Jonathan.