Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of Chief Edwin Clark as a monumental loss to the Ijaws, Delta State, Niger Delta, and the country at large.
Clark’s demise was announced in a statement released by his family on Tuesday morning.
The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON, on Monday, 17th February 2025.
“Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State, late Clark attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka. Thereafter, he worked briefly as a schoolteacher before traveling abroad to earn a law degree.
“He worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, between 1966 and 1975. In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Midwestern Region province, David Ejoor, and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.
“May his soul rest in peace, Amen.”
Rendering his tribute, Obasanjo lamented over the depleting ranks of the nation’s patriotic leaders, particularly at this crucial state of the country when their wise counsel and rich experience were greatly needed.
Obasanjo bemoaned that it was unfortunate that Clark’s death came barely four days after the demise of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the foremost Yoruba leader and Chairman of Afenifere.
In a statement by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Tuesday, Obasanjo noted that, over the years, Clark has been imbued with an undying love for his people and remained one of the more articulate and vocal champions of improved conditions for the oil-bearing states.
