Renowned African poet and playwright, Prof. John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo, popularly known as J.P. Clark took his exit, Tuesday, his family has announced in a statement.
He died at the age of 85.
The poet lectured for several years at the University of Lagos as a professor of English, where he retired in 1980.
J.P Clark is a towering literary figure on the African continent who had several works of literature to his name.
Read also: J.P. Clark: The Life And Times Of Africa’s Literary Icon and Statesman
Clark was born on 6 April, 1935 to an Ijaw father and Urhobo mother all in Delta State.
The poet is the younger brother of a South South leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
His family announced his passage in a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark and Mr. Ilaye Clark, Tuesday, said J.P. Clark died in the early hours of Tuesday.
“The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce that Emeritus Professor of Literature and Renowned Writer, Prof. John Pepper Clark, has finally dropped his pen in the early hours of today, Tuesday, 13 October, 2020.
“Prof. J. P. Clark has paddled on to the great beyond in comfort of his wife, children and sibbling, around him. The family appreciates your prayers at this time.
“Other details will be announced later by the family,” the statement read.
