Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri and Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, have joined other Nigerians and groups in mourning Niger Delta activist and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who died on Monday.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri and Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, have joined other Nigerians and groups in mourning Niger Delta activist and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who died on monday.
Afenifere said it received the news of Clark’s death with great shock. Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) died on Monday in Abuja at 97.
Reacting, Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday that Clark was passionate about Nigeria, just like the late Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
“We received the news of the demise of Pa Edwin Clark with shock the same way we received the news of the demise of our leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo,
READ ALSO:
Edwin Clark, Ayo Adebanjo last of the titans – David Mark
“Clark was very deep, and, of course, very fearless. He was a patriot par excellence. Nigeria meant so much to him.
“The issues that have to do with the people were of great concern to him. He will be greatly missed because he was a strong, influential voice” Ajayi said.
Ajayi, who conveyed the condolences of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said Clark would forever be remembered for his contributions to the country.
“Pa Edwin Clark was an active player in the Nigerian political scene, even when he was very old, he was still very active
“He (Clark) never shied away from commenting or expressing his opinion on any issue of national importance.
“So, we, in Afenifere, will also miss him, just like we know that other people in the South-South, in particular, in Nigeria, as a whole, will miss him,” Afenifere spokesman said.
NAN reports that Clark was a former federal commissioner for information and a prominent Ijaw leader.
A distinguished lawyer, activist, and politician, Clark was a formidable voice for the South-South region and the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
He founded PANDEF and co-led the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), advocating justice, equality, and human rights.
From Bayelsa, Governor Diri, equally said that he received the news of the passing of the Ijaw ethnic nationality’s foremost personage and leader, Clark, with sadness and equanimity.
In a statement by Daniel Alabrah, his Chief Press Secretary, the governor lamented that with the death of Clark, Ijaw nation has lost its father-figure and irrepressible voice.
The release added; “Chief Clark was an icon, a treasure of inestimable value and a nationalist par excellence.
He was a distinguished patriot, who dedicated his whole life to the service of Nigeria. Until the very end, he was unrelenting.
As the Ijaw nation reflects on the passage of this exceptional sage, we take solace in his matchless contributions to national development.
On behalf of the Ijaw nation, the government and people of Bayelsa State, I express heartfelt condolences to the Clark family of Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area and the Delta State government.
I pray the Lord grants the family and indeed the Ijaw nation the grace to bear this great loss”.
