The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Abbas Tajudeen, and the Deputy Speaker Mr. Benjamin Kalu have mourned the passing of the late leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
The Speaker described the late Edwin Clark as an elder statesman who fought for the interests of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Speaker Abbas noted that even after public service and politics, the nonagenarian Chief Clark continued to rally the Niger Delta, through PANDEM, and formed alliances with other regional and zonal bodies for the common good of the people.
While lamenting that the late Edwin Clark died shortly after his counterpart from the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, passed away, the Speaker lamented the great loss both were to Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas commiserated with the people and the government of Delta State and the Niger Delta by extension, while praying for the repose of the soul of Edwin Clark.
He prayed to God to give the family of the late Edwin Clark the fortitude to bear the loss.
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Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu also mourned the death of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a renowned Ijaw leader and elder statesman.
Describing Clark’s demise as a huge loss to the nation, the Deputy Speaker in a statement remarked that he was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in the Niger Delta region where he was also the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Kalu extolled Clark’s candour, saying that the late former Federal Commissioner of Information was widely known for his courage to bare his mind on issues of national significance without fear or favour.
The Deputy Speaker also applauded Clark’s modest contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large, noting his stance on critical issues like resource control and restructuring.
“Clark’s passing is a significant loss, not only for his family, immediate community and Ijaw nation in the Niger Delta but also for the nation.
“He was very outspoken on issues of his personal conviction and of national significance. For all I know about him, the late Elder Statesman impacted lives. He also impacted the Niger Delta region and the country at large.
“His legacy as a champion of justice, equity, and freedom will be remembered and honored. Indeed, he will be greatly missed.”
While commiserating with the late Edwin Clark’s family, the government, the people of Delta State and the Ijaw nation in general, Kalu also prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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