Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Dignitaries bid Edwin Clark farewell in Kiagbodo, Gov. Oborevwori, Diri, Udom Made Pledge

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday led a retinue of dignitaries from all walks of life to Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, to pay their last respect to late elder statesman and Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, as his remains were intered in his country home. 

Pa Edwin Clark died on 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, 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 represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume paid glowing tributes to late Pa. Edwin Clark whom he described as "a patriot and champion of his community and the country".

He noted that his death saddened him.

"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", the President stated.

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 onfronted 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 in the same vein stressing that the late Pa. Edwin Clark was "an extra ordinary human being and defender of justice, fairness and national cohesion".

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" just as he urged Nigerians to immortalize the noble goals which he lived and died for.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio noted that the good memories of Pa. Edwin 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 dream".

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, spoke on behalf of his fellow Governors and 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 N50million 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 N50million 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 N10million.

The officiating priest, the 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".

"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",the Archbishop reiterated.