Joseph Wayas Turns 79 Today

Joseph Wayas (born 21 May 1941) served as Nigeria's third Senate President during the Nigerian Second Republic (1979–1983).

Background
Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on 21 May 1941 and attended the 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, Birmingham. Returning to Nigeria, he worked as a manager or controller from 1960-1969 for several companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Wayas is a member of the Society of International Affairs at the Lincoln University, United States.

Wayas joined the Federal Government in 1969-72. He was commissioner for Transport, South-Eastern State, now broken into Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74. He was a member of the constituent Assembly in 1977-78.

Senate President
When General Olusegun Obasanjo terminated military rule in 1979, Joseph Wayas was elected to the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform and appointed Senate President. Wayas had an excellent relationship with president Shehu Shagari, ensuring that bills were generally discussed and agreed before being introduced. Wayas used to play tennis with the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Thomas R. Pickering, afterwards taking Pickering to the State House at Ribadu Road to visit with President Shagari, a breach of protocol.

Under Wayas's leadership the Senate summoned Tony Momoh, 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 government accountable at all times.

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

In the lead-up to the 1983 elections, Wayas was the leader of the NPN party's "Lagos Group" that supported a change of governor in Cross River State, in opposition to the "Home Front" led by the incumbent governor Clement Isong. Wayas left office along with other members of the Shagari administration when General Muhammadu Buhari staged a coup on New Year's Eve 1983, and went into exile. He returned in 1987 and was held in political detention, 1987-1988.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Wayas

Happy Birthday Papa....

Even though I don't know you....

Damnnnnn niggarrr
Happy birthday

happy birthday sir

Former Senate President under Shagari!
His enthronement to the number 3 position was one of the exploits of the Igbo when in authority. An Ogoja minority got the number 3 seat in government position.

VP Alex Ekwueme and others ensured that the whole south got their due. But the reverse is the case under Yoruba headship. If it doesn’t go to Fulani, the remaining crumbs is thrown to the SW.

Southerners should compare and contrast.

South under Igbo leadership

Below were the positions the south got under Igbo leadership (1979 - 1983)

No. 2,3,4 and 5


1. President - NW - Shehu Shagari
2. VP - SE - Alex Ekwueme
3. Senate President - SS - Joseph Wayas
4. Speaker - SE - Edwin Umezuoke (NPN/NPP Alliance)
5. CJN - SW - Justice Atanda Fatai William

South under Yoruba leadership - (2015 - 2023)

1. President - NW - Muhammadu Buhari
2. VP - SW - Osibanjo
3. Senate President - NC/NE - Saraki/Lawan
4. Speaker - NE/SW - Dogara/Gbajabiamila
5. CJN - SS/NW - Onnoghen/Muhammed

NB: Under the Igbo headship, the south took part in government decisions and the country were united and prospered. No official among the top 5 were undemocratically removed as Buhari did to Onnoghen etc. However, under the Yoruba’s the south are treated like second class citizens.

Nope. Never heard of him

Happy birthday to him, my near birthday mate

Happy birthday to him...

The fact remains that he is one of the weakest political figures in the history of Nigeria.

This man was the Senate President in the Second Republic yet he has almost ZERO legacy neither in Cross River nor his Cross River North senatorial district.

He is hardly seen or heard.

What a wasted opportunity!

Happy birthday Sir, as we celebrate you today, so shall the whole world celebrate all the nairalanders..Amen!

Happy birthday to my classmate dad

Chai I don't wish to grow old ooo..
Lemme just look like 24 even when I am 80.

I need to go to China to find the immortality water to drink....

Damn nigerrrr! Las Las we go dey alright, after smoking weed and drinking beer

This baba still dey ? wow, congratulations 0.
Even though most if contemporaries are no longer around anymore.
If you you looked at his pix on those days you would have understood the meaning of person dey chop money. See oily face .
Enjoy the rest of your life sir

This great grandpa is still alive??

Sultty:
Nope. Never heard of him

HBD.
what is the chance of a minority tribe person being SP today? NIL
Nigeria has seriously polarised along ethnic lines.

lalasticlala:
Joseph Wayas Turns 79 Today



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Wayas

this mans community is the poorest in cross river,as a senate President then,he did nothing, no road,no water,poor infastructure,no school,infact he doesnt have a befiting home in his community he never visited his village,only lived abroad,lagos,abuja,and here he now can we call this man a veteran? No birthday wishes sir.continue to live

Bro Lala now move away from snake posts to birthdays posts ...good, why somebody go just have interest in anything concerning snakes

lalasticlala:
Joseph Wayas Turns 79 Today



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Wayas

This man was Senate president at the age of 38, our leaders abi na rulers nowadays won't allow the youths to lead. Help our country

maestroferddi:
Happy birthday to him...

The fact remains that he is one of the weakest political figures in the history of Nigeria.

This man was the Senate President in the Second Republic yet he has almost legacy neither in Cross River nor his Cross River North senatorial district.

He is hardly seen nor heard.

What a wasted opportunity!

the most clueless senate president in the history of nigeria,cross river is always caused by having weak,wicked politicians

Happy birthday sir

Rgade:

All of us here at Rgade says happy birthday sir.
God bless our darling daddy buhari.
And his faithful stooge osibanjo.
God bless the APC.
God bless Nigeria.

News reaching us is that your darling daddy is no longer aware of his surroundings. How true?

any Senate president have money likely eaten or money. but happy birthday to him

watch my latest cartoon here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHSvdtfF9AY

I cant wish him a happy birthday

One of the worse senator he couldent bring any development to his state talkless of his local government wicked man NHB

I heard much about him in my higher institution days late 90s. My school SIG Senate patterned our leadership after Wayas style of leadership .

happy birthday n may God add more numbers to your new age....

Oliver de Coque called his name in one of his songs.

I think the song he did to celebrate the return of Ojukwu from exile.

Dr. Wayas.