Elder statesman, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, has passed on.
Aged 97, the Pan Niger Delta Forum leader died on Monday night, according to a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark for the family.
The statement read: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February 2025.
“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”
First to react was Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri who said the Ijaw nation has lost its father figure following the death of Chief Edwin Clark.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, Diri said he received the news of the passing of the Ijaw ethnic nationality’s foremost leader with sadness and equanimity.
“The Ijaw nation has lost its father figure and irrepressible voice.
“Chief Clark was an icon, a treasure of inestimable value and a nationalist par excellence.
“He was a distinguished patriot, who dedicated his whole life to the service of Nigeria,” he said.
The governor added that Clark was unrelenting until the very end.
“As the Ijaw nation reflects on the passage of this exceptional sage, we take solace in his matchless contributions to national development.
“On behalf of the Ijaw nation, the government and the people of Bayelsa State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Clark family of Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area and the Delta State Government.
“I pray the Lord grants the family and indeed the Ijaw nation the grace to bear this great loss,” he said.
Consequently, the governor said he had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for three days.
“Meanwhile, all our government’s fifth anniversary activities remain suspended for the same period,” he said.
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