Jonathan, Diri, others pay tribute to late Edwin Clark

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria – Political leaders, traditional rulers, and prominent voices from the Ijaw ethnic nationality gathered in Yenagoa over the weekend to pay tribute to the late elder statesman and nationalist, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

At a solemn commendation service and lying-in-state ceremony held at the Ijaw House, dignitaries hailed the late Chief Clark as a fearless advocate for justice and the marginalized, a man who dedicated his life to national unity and the empowerment of minority groups.

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan described the late Clark as a natural leader and unwavering defender of minority rights, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

Senator Seriake Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, praised the elder statesman’s enduring legacy of service and urged young Nigerians to emulate his principled and courageous life.

Governor Douye Diri also paid tribute, highlighting Clark’s unwavering stance on justice and freedom. He announced that the Bayelsa State Government would establish an annual public lecture in his honour.

Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubraye Dakolo, remembered Clark as a bold and outspoken national voice, while Ijaw National Congress President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, referred to him as a moral compass for the Ijaw people and beyond.

Additional tributes were delivered by Dr. Godknows Igali, Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and Jonathan Lokpobiri, President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

During the service, Clark’s first son, Pianowei Clark, delivered a scripture reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1–6. Reverend Godspower Asingba, reading from Job 14:5, reflected on the inevitability of death and the importance of building lasting legacies.

Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, was a former Federal Commissioner for Information and one of the most influential voices from the Niger Delta region. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had described him as a “towering figure” in Nigerian politics whose influence spanned nearly six decades.

The family has announced that his final burial rites will take place on May 13, 2025, in his hometown of Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.

By Taiwo Olatinwo/ May 12, 2025