Nigeria’s political elite gathered in Kiagbodo, Delta State, to pay final respects to elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who was laid to rest over the weekend.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the late nationalist as a man who fought relentlessly for justice, equity, and the development of the Niger Delta.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other dignitaries attended the funeral service, each praising Clark’s lifelong advocacy for national unity and minority rights.
Jonathan hailed Clark as a “courageous voice of the Niger Delta,” whose influence shaped many aspects of Nigeria’s political landscape, while Akpabio called him “a symbol of truth and resilience.”
The funeral, held at the Clark family’s compound in Kiagbodo, attracted a cross-section of Nigerian society — from lawmakers and traditional rulers to youth leaders and international diplomats — all united in celebrating a life devoted to public service.
Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away at 97, was a former Federal Commissioner for Information and founder of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). He was widely respected for his outspoken stance on regional equity, restructuring, and environmental justice.
His burial marks the end of an era, but his legacy remains etched in Nigeria’s history.
