Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark: A Life of Service, Legacy of Courage

Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark: A Life of Service, Legacy of Courage

By Egbema Egberi Media special correspondent 

As Nigeria bids farewell to one of its most revered elder statesmen, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, we reflect on a life that spanned nearly a century—marked by unwavering advocacy, national service, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice.

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🕊️ A Nation Mourns

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the body of Pa Edwin Clark was laid to rest in his hometown of Kiagbodo, Delta State. The burial followed a series of tributes and ceremonies that began on May 7, including a valedictory session at the Senate Chamber and a Day of Tribute at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja .

Pa Clark passed away peacefully on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, surrounded by loved ones in Abuja .

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📜 Early Life and Education

Born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, Delta State, Clark hailed from the Ijaw ethnic group. He began his education at the African Church School, Effurun Otor, in 1938, and later attended the Government Teacher Training College in Abraka from 1949 to 1953 . After a stint as a schoolteacher, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study law at Holborn College, London, where he became active in the Zikist movement and the West African Students Union .

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🏛️ Political Career and National Service

Clark's political journey began in 1953 when he was elected as a councillor for Bomadi. He later joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) . During the military administration of Samuel Ogbemudia, he served as Commissioner for Education and later as Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Bendel State. In 1975, he was appointed Federal Commissioner for Information under General Yakubu Gowon .

In the Second Republic, Clark was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and briefly served as a senator in 1983. He was also appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council at the University of Minna .

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🌍 Champion of the Niger Delta and Minority Rights

A staunch advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta and minority groups, Clark was a founding leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and played significant roles in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) . He was instrumental in promoting true federalism, resource control, and environmental justice.

His fearless advocacy earned him respect across Nigeria. As former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar noted, “Chief Clark’s passing is not just a loss to his family but to the entire nation, as we have lost one of our most respected and influential leaders” 

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🏛️ Legacy and Honors

Clark's contributions to education and national development were recognized through various honors. He was awarded the national honors of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) . The Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, named a building after him—the E. K. Clark Students Centre—as a lasting tribute to his dedication to justice, peace, and development .

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🕯️ Final Farewell

As the nation lays Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark to rest, we celebrate a life devoted to the service of humanity, the pursuit of justice, and the unity of Nigeria. His legacy as a teacher, lawyer, politician, and elder statesman will continue to inspire generations to come.

Rest in peace, Pa Clark. Your voice may be silent, but your echoes will resonate through the annals of Nigerian history.