By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NIGER Delta has announced it has lost one of its most vocal advocates with the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at the age of 97.
A statement from the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family in Kiagbodo, Delta State, confirmed that the elder statesman died on Monday, February 17, 2025.
It says: “The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family,” the statement, signed by Prof. C. C. Clark, read.
Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), was a towering figure in Nigerian politics and a lifelong champion for the rights of the Niger Delta people.
His career spanned decades, beginning in 1953 when he was elected as a councillor in Bomadi, Delta State.
He later joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), marking the start of his long political journey.
Between 1966 and 1975, Clark served as Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Finance in the Midwestern Region.
He was a key player in shaping educational policies in the region before transitioning to national politics.
During Nigeria’s Second Republic, he joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and held the position of treasurer in the old Bendel State.
In 1983, Clark briefly served as a senator during the administration of President Shehu Shagari.
Although his tenure in the Senate lasted only three months, he remained an outspoken voice on national issues, particularly those affecting the Niger Delta.
Until his passing, Clark was regarded as one of the most influential voices advocating for resource control, environmental justice, and equitable development in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
His leadership in PANDEF was noted to have cemented his legacy as a fierce defender of regional interests, often challenging successive governments on policies affecting the Niger Delta.
Also, his influence extended beyond politics.
The late Clark was also a respected elder statesman, regularly lending his voice to national discourse on governance, constitutional matters, and Nigeria’s unity.
His contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and his relentless advocacy for the Niger Delta earned him widespread recognition and several national honours, including the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
