Jonathan: He was a father figure who inspired generations of leaders
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed sadness at the death of the Ijaw national leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, describing him as a great brother and friend.
Obasanjo, in a message of condolence on the passing of Chief Clark barely four days after the demise of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the late former Federal Commissioner was a frontline lawyer, a seasoned economist, a tested administrator, an accomplished politician and a revered community leader.
The former president, however, bemoaned the depleting ranks of the nation’s patriotic leaders, particularly at this crucial state of the country when their wise counsel and rich experience were most needed.
In the message which was made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi on Tuesday, the former president noted that over the years, Chief Clark had been imbued with an undying love for his people and remained one of the more articulate and vocal champions of improved conditions for the oil-bearing States of the country.
According to the former President: “I received yet another shocking and sad news of the passing of a great brother and friend, a frontline lawyer, a seasoned economist, a tested administrator, an accomplished politician and a revered community leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
“It was shocking because we lost Chief Ayo Adebanjo, another prominent and illustrious son of Nigeria, just about four days ago. Indeed, the ranks of the nation’s patriotic leadership is fast depleting by the loss of our dedicated and resourceful patriots who served the nation in various capacities, particularly at this crucial state in our nation’s history when their wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Clark had an eventful service to the nation as Commissioner for Education and Finance in the former Midwestern State, at various times between 1968 to 1974, and his stint as the official spokesman of the Federal Government in 1975 cannot go unrecognised. I remember him as a close colleague in the Cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon.
“As Senator of the Federal Republic, representing Delta Senatorial zone in 1983, it is on record that he was in the vanguard of the advocacy for minority rights.”
“Over the years, Chief Clark was imbued with an undying love for his people and remained one of the more articulate and vocal champions of improved conditions for the oil-bearing States of the country. As one of the foremost leaders of not only the Ijaw people, but the South-South zone as a whole, he, until his death, exhorted his people on the imperative of peace and stability in the region.
“He acquitted himself as a peace-loving, unassuming, and committed patriot. He was a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance. Ever since, he built for himself an impressive profile of immense goodwill and affection among his people, as a frontline politician and community leader. Nevertheless, his thoughts, utterances, and deeds were completely devoid of political partisanship. He was a detribalized Nigerian and had friends from all over the country.
“Even at his prime age, Chief Clark never rested on his oars to continue to contribute to national development as a committed nationalist. I recall sometime in 2021, he, for the greater good of the nation, volunteered to be part of the Committee for Goodness of Nigeria (CGN) which was convened by me along with His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan and General Abdusalami Abubakar to look, at the time, into the pressing issues of national unity, security, peace, integration, economic revitalization and development, women and youth welfare and general progress. For all I knew about him since our paths crossed, Chief Clark never, for once, rested on his oars in exhibiting uncommon courage and commitment to progressive ideals in his contributions to the socio-political development of our country and national discourse.
“There is no doubt that just as his death must have, of necessity, elicited grief and confoundment in the family, in the Niger-Delta Region, it must have also in the good people of our great nation particularly at a time when the country still needed his wealth of experience, wisdom and counsel. We thank God, however, that Chief Clark lived a long and God-fearing life, full of service to Nigeria and its people and left behind the virtues of hard work and transparency in public life which are important lessons for both the present and future generations. We should also be consoled by the fact that he lived a life worthy of communal emulation, touched the soul of his community, and he is mourned by all.
“We pray to the Good Lord to grant the soul of Chief Clark a peaceful rest and the Clark family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
Jonathan: He was a father figure who inspired generations of leaders
Similarly, former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed deep sadness over the death of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who passed on to eternal glory on Monday at the age of 97 years.
Dr. Jonathan described the late nonagenarian as a father figure, peerless icon and a relentless crusader for justice who devoted his life to the betterment of our society.
In a condolence message to his immediate family, the former President also noted that late Chief Clark was a bridge-builder, and a patriot, stressing that he inspired different generations of leaders including himself.
He wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the immediate family, friends, and associates of the revered elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who has passed on to eternal glory. Chief E.K. Clark was not just a father figure to me but a peerless icon of Nigeria’s political landscape, a voice of reason, and a relentless advocate for justice, equity, and unity.
“His was a life of selfless service, unwavering courage, and an unyielding commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole. His wisdom, foresight, and dedication to the principles of fairness and good governance inspired generations of leaders, including myself.
“He was a man of integrity, a bridge-builder, and a patriot who devoted his life to the betterment of our society.
“I recall with deep gratitude his invaluable counsel and support during my tenure as President of Nigeria. His passion for the Niger Delta and his relentless pursuit of peace and progress, not only in the region but across the country, remain indelible marks of his legacy. Chief Clark’s passing is not just a loss to his family but to the entire nation, as we have lost one of our most respected and influential leaders.
“Chief E.K. Clark lived a fulfilled life, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and service to humanity. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may God grant his immediate family, the people of the Niger Delta, and all Nigerians the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
PANDEF grieves as Clark dies at 97
In its own condolence message, Pan Niger-Delta Elders’ Forum (PANDEF) joined other well meaning Nigerians to mourn the death of its founder, a prominent Ijaw leader and former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
According to a statement by the national publicity secretary/spokesman of PANDEF, Sir Obiuwevbi Ominimini, titled, “The mighty Iroko tree has fallen: Farewell to Chief Edwin Kaigbodo Clark, OFR, CON, 1927-2025,” the elder statesman died on Monday, February 17, surrounded by family members and loved ones at the age of 97.
The statement read: “With heavy hearts and shock, Prof College Clark of the Clark-Fuludu-Bakederemo family of Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State and the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Elders’ Forum (PANDEF), Dr Godknows Igali, OON, announce the death of the national elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON.
“Pa Clark died in Abuja, late in the evening of Monday, February 17, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones at the age of 97 years.
“A national patriarch, renowned lawyer, activist and politician, Chief Clark was also the leader of the people of the South-South region of Nigeria and the Ijaw ethnic nationality, in particular. He founded PANDEF, South and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBL), among many others.
“Pa Clark was, indeed, a towering figure in Nigeria for over 75 years of active public service known for his tireless advocacy for justice, equality, and human rights. His contributions to the legal profession, politics, community development and the educational sector, where he founded several universities, are immeasurable.
“As he quietly departs after a very active life that just eluded his 98 birthday, his standing as a passionate champion of the people, a brilliant mind and a generous spirit, will continue to inspire all Nigerians to work more towards a just, equitable and compassionate society.
“We are comforted by God’s word in Acts Chapter 13:36 – ‘After he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, he fell asleep and was allowed to rest.’
“A detailed programme for his obsequies will be announced in due course. Soon, Pa Clark has gone to join his friend, Pa Ayo Adebanjo. May their souls rest in peace.”
