Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, other dignitaries bid Edwin Clark farewell, as Govs Oborevwori, Diri, Udom pledge new memorial Church

Ogheneruona Tejiri, Kiagbodo

As the remains of Late Elder Statement, Chief Edwin K. Clark was laid to rest in his country home in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led a long list of dignitaries from all walks of life to pay their last respect to him

The late elder statesman and Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) Leader, Chief Clark died February 17, 2025 at the ripe age of 97 years.

In attendance to bid him farewell at the crowded funeral service held at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Kiagbodo were former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Bauchi States, Sheriff Oborevwori, Douye Diri, Umo Eno and Bala Mohammed respectively; former Governor of old Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George; former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson as well as many former and serving Federal and State legislators, among others.

President Tinubu who was represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Federal Government paid glowing tributes to late Pa. Clark, he described Late Pa Clark as, “a patriot and champion of his community and the country. His death saddens me.”

According to President Tinubu, “though he lived to the ripe age of 97, his departure leaves an irreplaceable void for me, for the Niger Delta, the Ijaw nation and our country as a whole. All will surely miss him”

President Tinubu acknowledged the late PANDEF Leader as one who “led an illustrious life of dedicated service at different times to the nation and his community”.

The President said, “a patriot has transitioned to the great beyond. His service and legacy will continue to inspire us. He was a beacon of courage who stood for whatever he believes in and frontally fought injustice and corruption.

“He was a passionate advocate for resource control and economic and environmental justice.

“Pa Clark believed in a united Nigeria and until his last breadth, he never stopped preaching up to the people in all parts of the country to work together and preserve national unity based on justice and equity”.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also spoke, stressing that the late Pa. Edwin Clark was “an extra ordinary human being and defender of justice, fairness and national cohesion”.

Dr. Jonathan while describing Pa. Clark as “a mentor, statesman and father” maintained that he had “unwavering love for Niger Delta and Nigeria”.

The former President emphasized that Pa. Clark was “a unifying force and a courageous and fearless advocate for unity, justice and equity.”

Dr. Jonathan urged Nigerians to immortalize the noble goals which Pa Clark lived and died for.

On his part, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate said that the good memories of Pa. Clark “will never cease” stressing that his life and times was “a great challenge for all to make Niger Delta what it should be in accordance with his dreams”.

Speaking of behalf of other Governors, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State concluded that the good deeds of Pa. Edwin Clark would be sustained for posterity.

As a testament to this, Governors Oborevwori, Diri and Udom pledged the construction of a new memorial Church to replace the aging Church so as to actualize an unfulfilled dream of Pa Edwin Clark who had vowed to build a state of the art sanctuary in Kiagbodo community.

Senator Akpabio donated N50 million towards the renovation of the existing Church and in support of the new Church building project while Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State similarly donated N50 million towards the new Church building just as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume pledged to do all the seats in the church to the tune of N10 million.

The officiating priest, Most Revd. Cyril Odutemu who is the Anglican Archbishop of Ughelli Diocese appreciated the kind gesture of the donors and promised to ensure judicious use of the donations which, according to him, was “not a charity”.

Earlier in his homily, the Archbishop acknowledged the life of service to humanity lived by Pa. Edwin Clark submitting that “a good name is better than riches”.

According to Rev. Odutemu, “the best thing we can do to immortalize Pa. Edwin Clark is to make Nigeria a better nation. Nigerians should make positive change and remember that the country’s name being destroyed now, some people built it”.