Leaders from across Nigeria gathered at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Kiagbodo, Delta State, to honor the life and legacy of Chief Edwin Clark, the elder statesman and fierce advocate for the Niger Delta, who passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described Clark as “a fearless voice for the Niger Delta and a unifying force in the nation.” He commended Clark’s unwavering patriotism and principled stance on national issues.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan remembered Clark as “a great nationalist” and “an audacious voice for the voiceless,” praising his enduring fight for justice, minority rights, and good governance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio paid tribute to Clark as a Pan-African and pan-Nigerian figure who championed freedom and equality. “He lived by conviction and stood firmly for what he believed was right,” he said.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described Clark as a bold and uncompromising defender of truth, urging Nigerians to uphold his legacy, especially in the Niger Delta.
In his sermon, Most Rev’d Cyril Odutemu, Archbishop of Bendel Province, drew on Proverbs 22:1—“A good name is better than riches”—to reflect on Clark’s selfless service. He praised the late leader’s commitment to justice, noting his pro bono legal work for the poor, and described him as “a man of purpose and integrity.”
The archbishop also decried the rise of false prophecies in Nigeria, calling for a return to the moral values of the nation’s founding fathers. Quoting Matthew 6:33, he urged Nigerians to seek righteousness and a life of service.
Chief Edwin Clark leaves behind a towering legacy of courage, integrity, and national devotion—a life that continues to inspire.
