By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has penned a heartfelt tribute, expressing deep sadness over the passing of Elder statesman, former Minister for Information during the regime of Gen Yakubu Gowon, Second Republic Senator and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
The New Diplomat reports that Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and frontline nationalist died at the age of 97.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Clark as a Nigerian dedicated to service to Nigeria, both at the state and federal levels.
Tinubu extended his condolences to Clark’s family, the Ijaw nation, the people of the Niger Delta, and the Delta State government, describing Clark’s death as a deeply sobering loss.
The statement reads in part: ”Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues were distinct and patriotic.
”Pa Clark, a lawyer and educationist, believed in a united Nigeria, and until his last breath, he never stopped reaching out to people from different parts of the country to work together to preserve national unity based on justice and equity.
”As an astute politician, his political opponents never doubted his words’ weight, confidence, and conviction when he spoke. Indeed, a patriot has transitioned to the great beyond.
”History will remember him as a man who fought gallantly for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, unity in diversity, and true federalism.
”I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability.”
Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of present-day Delta State, Edwin Clark’s early life was marked by an eagerness for education and service.
He attended primary and secondary schools in Effurun, Okrika, and Afugbene before furthering his education at the Government Teacher Training College, which later evolved into Delta State University, Abraka.
His educational journey did not end there; he pursued legal studies abroad, becoming a lawyer and returning to Nigeria to take on various roles in public service.
Clark’s political journey began in 1953 when he was elected as a councillor of Bomadi in Delta State.
His commitment to public service saw him ascending to various roles, from being a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region, David Ejoor, to serving as Federal Commissioner for Information under the military regime.
His tenure as a Commissioner for Education and later Finance in the Mid-Western Region highlighted his dedication to improving governance and public welfare.
In the Second Republic, Clark was involved with the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and was Senator Representing Warri and served as the party’s treasurer in Bendel State.
His political career was not just about positions but also about advocacy, particularly for the rights of the Niger Delta region. He was a vocal proponent of resource control, true federalism, and equitable distribution of national wealth, which resonated deeply within the South-South geopolitical zone.
One of his later significant roles was as the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), where he continued to champion the cause of the Niger Delta.
PANDEF, under his leadership, became a pivotal voice in national dialogues on restructuring Nigeria’s federal system, ensuring that the interests of the oil-rich but historically marginalized region were not overlooked.
His efforts were instrumental during the amnesty period for Niger Delta militants, advocating for peace and development rather than confrontation.
