BY KELVIN ONYEKACHUKWU, ASABA
DELTA: The riverine town of Kiagbodo, nestled deep in the creeks of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, transformed into a national epicenter of mourning and reflection on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, as Nigeria laid to rest one of its most enduring voices for justice and equity, Senator Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. The death of the nonagenarian elder statesman in February cast a long shadow across Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural landscape. But as his remains were committed to mother earth in his hometown, a tide of tributes surged from across the country, acknowledging the indelible legacy of a man who fiercely defended his people and their right to dignity.
Draped in the Nigerian and Ijaw flags, the white casket bearing his remains arrived amid traditional Ijaw musical chants, blending solemnity with pride. Chiefs, youths, dignitaries, and traditional dancers accompanied the final procession, a fitting honor for a man whose voice had long echoed from creek to capital.
From his days as a colonial-era activist to his final years as an unyielding critic of national inequities, Pa Clark’s story was one of consistency in advocacy and fearless confrontation of injustice. He was a rare political figure whose relevance not only spanned decades but transcended generations.
Among those who converged on Kiagbodo for the funeral were prominent national leaders—former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom); and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Their presence underscored the gravity of the moment: the passing of not just a man, but an institution.
Born on May 25, 1927, Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was a statesman who had witnessed Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence, through military coups and civilian republics. His service to the country was diverse and rich. From his early days as a schoolteacher and lawyer, to becoming a federal commissioner under General Yakubu Gowon in 1975, Pa Clark exemplified what it meant to serve with conviction.
The Ijaw nation and the broader Niger Delta community consider him their patriarch, and not without reason. His role in establishing the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) gave political teeth to the long-standing grievances of the oil-rich but underdeveloped region. He was a firm believer in restructuring, resource control, and true federalism principles he championed with an unwavering voice.
“Today, we bid farewell to a titan of Nigerian history,” said Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, during the funeral. “Pa Clark was a man who embodied courage and conviction. As a fierce advocate for resource control and true federalism, he fearlessly spoke truth to power, challenging the status quo and pushing for a more just and equitable Nigeria.”
At a solemn evening service at his Warri residence, a microcosm of the Niger Delta elite gathered to honor him Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress; Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Paul Bebenimibo, Registrar of the Nigeria Maritime University; and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
“His voice was our shield, and his courage inspired generations,” Guwor said in his tribute. “Pa Clark was a fearless advocate who stood unshaken in the face of injustice.”
Through decades of activism, Clark evolved from an Ijaw defender to a national moral compass. His words spoken in measured tones and punctuated with passion often echoed across chambers, protest grounds, and international forums. From co-founding PANDEF to establishing the Edwin Clark Foundation and founding Edwin Clark University in Kiagbodo, his impact was not confined to politics alone.
He believed in education as a liberating force. The university that bears his name stands as one of his lasting legacies, a testament to his commitment to empowering the next generation through knowledge.
Comrade Mingo Meshach Saya Ogumaka, President of the Ajakurama Development Initiative, described Pa Clark as “a true son of Ijaw land, whose wisdom and leadership will continue to guide future generations.” Similarly, Comrade Austin Ozobo, President of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, recalled how Pa Clark inspired media professionals in the region to “use their voices for change and tell their own stories.”
The ceremonies in Warri and Kiagbodo were more than funeral rites they were a national affirmation of values Pa Clark represented: justice, equity, federalism, and the defense of marginalized communities. His death may have drawn the curtain on a life lived with purpose, but it also reopened conversations about the issues he spent decades fighting for.
Comrade Eric Omare, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, noted that “Pa Clark’s passing is not just a loss to the Ijaw people, but to Nigeria at large. He reminded us that the fight for equity in resource distribution is a national cause.”
From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the halls of Aso Rock, Clark’s name commanded attention. It was not merely because of his political positions, but because of the moral authority he wielded. Even as he aged, he remained vocal often issuing press statements, granting interviews, and mentoring younger leaders across the political and activist spectrum.
Ambassador Godknows Igali, one of his longtime associates, captured this sentiment succinctly: “Papa Clark was our conscience. He told us the bitter truths we needed to hear, even when they were unpopular.”
Beyond politics and advocacy, Pa Clark was a father figure to many, both biologically and symbolically. Those who worked closely with him often described him as firm but generous, traditional yet progressive. His ability to balance cultural identity with national relevance made him a unique bridge between Nigeria’s past and its evolving democratic future.
The emotional outpouring at the burial rites highlighted just how deeply his life had touched individuals and institutions alike. Ijaw traditional leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, students, and politicians—many dressed in cultural regalia—lined the streets of Kiagbodo to pay their last respects.
“Papa Clark was not just a leader; he was our compass,” said Comrade Mingo. “His legacy will continue to guide us as we push for a better Niger Delta.”
That compass pointed not just toward regional empowerment but national unity through justice. For years, Clark challenged the federal structure of Nigeria, arguing that states must be allowed greater control of their resources to drive local development. While some dismissed his rhetoric as regionalist, others understood it as a call for systemic fairness.
The sentiments expressed at the funeral made it clear that his advocacy had not gone unnoticed. Chief Vero Triple, one of the community leaders present, stated, “Pa Clark has handed us the baton. It’s time to run with it together.”
His call for unity, integrity in governance, and environmental justice remains as relevant today as it was decades ago when oil exploration began to degrade the creeks and farmlands of the Niger Delta.
As the sun set over Kiagbodo, one couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of closure but also responsibility. Clark’s passing marked the end of an era, but it also signaled a challenge to the living: to pick up the mantle, to speak truth to power, and to continue fighting for the ideals he held dear.
In that moment, among the chants, prayers, tears, and eulogies, the legacy of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was sealed not just as a man of Kiagbodo, or of the Niger Delta, but as a national figure whose courage, convictions, and counsel shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey.
For the Ijaw people, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large, Pa Clark was more than a statesman, he was a lighthouse in a stormy sea, showing the way toward equity, justice, and national rebirth. His memory will endure, not in marble statues or empty monuments, but in the continued struggle for a Nigeria where every voice, creek, and culture is valued and heard. His life has ended, but his vision lives on.