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Two Years After, Ex-Senate President Wayas’s Burial Stalled
Over one year after a funeral committee was set up by former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade to prepare for the burial of late Dr Joseph Wayas, a former Senate President, there seems to be no headway in resolving the dispute among the family members.
The committee, inaugurated in August 2022, has for the umpteenth time appealed to the late Senator’s family members to sheath their swords and enable the remains of their father to be laid to rest.
DAILY POST reports that Wayas, who served under late former President Shehu Shagari, has not been buried after two years.
He died in a London hospital on 30th November, 2021, after a lingering sickness, and his body has since been embalmed in that city under the care of one of the daughters.
Former governor Ben Ayade had raised a committee headed by former attorney general of the federation, Kanu Agabi to plan for the state burial.
He released N200m to support the funeral.
But controversies, including allegations of misapplication of funds, overwhelmed all the processes.
The first son, Joe Wayas was accused of misappropriating money but he stoutly denied it, insisting that the committee must give accounts.
Findings showed that Joe also sued the father’s second wife, whom he said was never recognized as wife.
He had through his lawyers, written to the Registrar of Grade A Customary Court, Nyanya, Judicial Division, to bar one Catherine Ishiaka Ayim from parading herself either as a widow of late Joseph Wayas or representative of his father’s estate.
He claimed in the letter that the said Catherine, whom he insisted was not married to his late father, has presented herself as representative of the late Wayas’ estate to the Secretary to the Government of Federation and Secretary to Government of Cross River State, collecting humongous amounts towards the funeral of the late Senate President.
His lawyers, Shittu Saheed Danshitta, Esq and Awal Nasir of Lawseed and Partners, signed the letter on his behalf.
Joe had expressed anger at the funeral committee, cautioning them to stop spoiling his name with lies.
He challenged them to mention how much he collected from them.
He also challenged them to render an account and point to whatever they have expended from the funeral fund.
“It is a complete lie that I asked for or that I have spent the funeral fund released by the state government. Was I in charge of the fund? How much did I collect from them?
“Let me clarify that I never accessed the fund. Why should they peddle my name, directing focus on me? I am a private person. They spent the money, not me.
“Let them stop denting my name. I have had a good name bequeathed to me by my father, which I will strive hard to maintain.
“If I had my money I would have buried my late father, but he was a national figure,” he said.
In an earlier interview, former executive secretary of the National Planning Commission, Fidelis Ugbo, a key member of the committee had said, “probe the first son to tell you what the situation surrounding the burial is. The responsibilities lie with him.
“He needs to open up on what the issues are on why the burial is delayed.”
Meanwhile, a critical stakeholder, Chief Ojong Amos insisted that Joe Wayas should be blamed for the controversies.
“The allegations by the first son are baseless. He has refused to follow up the actions taken nor assist the committee in view of the challenge of getting the body brought home from the UK.
“Nevertheless, we appeal that all hands should be on deck to overcome the teething challenges and give our Patriarch, Dr. Wayas a befitting burial so that he may rest in perfect peace.
“If he alleges that some committee members are tilting towards the father’s 2nd wife, that is just an imagination. If his mother was around in Nigeria, the same people would support her.
“Customarily, all visitors to his father’s house had to relate with the wife in the house. He also has lived together with her both in America and here at home/Abuja, eating from the same kitchen for over 40 years. They had a cordial relationship and she stood in for his mother when he got married in Abuja.
“Why on the demise of his father, he wouldn’t see her eye to eye is a big surprise. He went to court declaring her the father’s concubine and not recognized as a bonafide wife of his father.
“He has by his actions got many sympathizers to her side, even the family at home is not happy with him,” he told DAILY POST.
Ojong added that the committee had been desirous to meet and brief the new Governor, Senator Bassey Otu “and we believe he will like to hear from the committee as the burial has been over delayed.”
He denied knowledge that Governor Otu had inaugurated another burial committee for the former Senate President.
According to Ojong, “for whatever reasons the first son had declined membership of his father’s funeral committee.
“And it was with much pleading that he attended the inaugural meeting held in his father’s residence in Abuja.”
Explaining how far the committee has gone, Ojong said that “everything was set and we were waiting for them to bring home the body.
“Money for repatriation of the remains, including that of the first wife, the mother to Joe Wayas jr, who also died in the UK, were provided from the funds released by the former Governor for burial arrangements.
“We got stuck at the point where the senior daughter in the UK, who is the custodian of the body, cut off communication with the committee.
“Renovation work on their home residence was done, while completion of Dr. Wayas’s new house had reached 90 per cent.
“This was to ensure that the children coming home from abroad had enough accommodation during the burial. Since it is customary to have the body brought home before execution of actual plans and dates fixed for burial activities, the committee has tried to manage the family differences but without getting a headway.
“We met with the traditional rulers and stakeholders of Obanliku LGA asking them to intervene.”
He disclosed that the community has reached out to the leadership of the National Assembly to connect with the UK government and repatriate the remains of the late politician.
Paramount ruler of Obanliku LGA of the State, HRM Amos Item and the President of Basang Nation where late Wayas hailed, Mr Sylvanus Anyawho, said the delay to bury their son had become very embarrassing to them.
“This accounts for the reason the Paramount ruler had to summon us, including the first son, to a critical meeting sometime ago,” Anyawho said.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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