Edwin Clark rests, Tinubu, dignitaries  pay last respects

Pa Edwin Clark

Edwin Clark rests, Tinubu, dignitaries  pay last respects

Last respect – It was a gathering of dignitaries, including politicians, members of the clergy, family and friends at Kiagbodo, Delta State, over the week as the respected elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, was laid to rest in a week-long funeral.

From Abuja to the creeks of the Niger Delta, the 96-year-old nationalist and founder of Edwin Clark University was honoured with solemn tributes, in honour of his legacy.

The funeral was graced by prominent figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume who represented President Bola Tinubu; former President Goodluck Jonathan accompanied by his wife, Patience; and governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Bauchi states— Sheriff Oborevwori, Douye Diri, Umo Eno, and Bala Mohammed respectively.

Tinubu in his speech described Clark as a voice of clarity who never condoned or supported corruption.

“The nation has lost a conscience and a compass. Pa Clark was a voice of clarity, especially in turbulent times.”

In his tribute, Jonathan described Clark as a great man of wisdom.

“Pa Edwin Clark was an extraordinary human being and a builder of our nation.”

Governor Diri referred to the late statesman as the region’s “loudest and most dignified voice”.

Clark’s funeral rites had begun on May 7, and on May 8, the Nigerian Senate held a special valedictory session in his honour. A tributes ceremony was held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja on May 9, before his final burial on May 13 at the university he established in his hometown.

Several cultural events also took place before the funeral, including a wrestling bout in Yenagoa, and a boat regatta in Port Harcourt, honouring the rich heritage Clark defended throughout his life.

Another highlight of the occasion was when the final funeral service held at St. James’ Anglican Church, Kiagbodo, was turned into a fundraising event and leaders in attendance pledged to fulfil Clark’s dream of replacing the church with a modern sanctuary.

Oborevwori, Diri and former Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom pledged to rebuild the ageing structure, while Akpabio also made a N20m donation.