Nigerian governors have expressed their heartfelt tribute over the death of prominent national Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark.
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 their tribute, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Yahaya, also noted that Clark was an upright and relentless advocate for fairness, and whose contributions to governance, democracy, and national discourse earned him admiration and respect.
“Chief Edwin Clark was an advocate for the rights of the downtrodden and a steadfast voice for the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. His commitment to justice and good governance distinguished him as a statesman of great repute. His demise is a profound loss, not just to the South-South but to the entire country,” the statement partly read.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, stated that Clark lived as a beacon of hope and conscience to leaders in government.
“He has left indelible footprints as a nationalist for the inspiring roles he played in the Middle-Belt Leaders Forum and as leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum,” Fubara said.
In his tribute, Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, lauded Clark as an unpretentious federalist who gave his all in service to God, country, and humanity at large.
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, stated the nation has lost one of the ‘last icons of a generation’ in Nigeria’s history.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, through his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, noted that Clark was a distinguished nationalist, an unwavering advocate for justice, and a pillar of wisdom whose immense contributions to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development will never be forgotten.
“Throughout his life, Chief Clark remained a voice of reason, a defender of equity, and a symbol of integrity in public service. His steadfast commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria inspired generations, and his legacy as an elder statesman will continue to guide us in the pursuit of national harmony and development,” Mohammed said.
Speaking, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri said the Ijaw nation has lost a father figure and an irrepressible voice.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
