The service of songs put together by the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum was held on the 11th of may, 2025 at Royal House of Grace International Church, GRA Extension, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Rivers Elders and Leaders gathered to pay tribute, share memories, and celebrate the enduring legacy of an icon whose life impacted generations.
High Chief Anabs Saraigbe speaking on behalf of the forum read their tribute “Late Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark stood as a towering figure in Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape, particular as a vanguard of the Niger Delta’s quest for justice and e development. His life’s work was a continuous struggle t that the people of the oil-rich but long-marginalized region received not only a fair share of the national wealth but dignified voice in the federation’s affairs.
Through countless battles fought in legislative chambers, public discourse, and civil society platforms, Chief Clark carved a legacy rooted in principled resistance and transformative advocacy.
His early foray into public service laid the groundwork for a life devoted to national unity and regional empowerment. As Federal Commissioner for Information during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Clark wielded his office with a profound sense of national duty. In a period marked by complexities of post-war reconstruction, he became an emblem of credible governance and a rare voice of reason, advocating, inclusive policies that would bridge divides and heal national wounds.
Chief Clark’s unwavering stance on the principles of “resources control” became a rallying point for generations of Niger Deltans. Long before it became mainstream political discourse, he had articulated the injustice of a system where resource producing communities remained impoverished while others benefited disproportionately. His articulation of this imbalance often in bold and uncompromising terms, helped galvanize policy shifts, including the eventual establishment of interventionist agencies and the strengthening of derivation principles in the constitution.
The formation of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) under his leadership was one of Chief Clark’s most consequential contributions to the region. PANDEF emerged as a formidable platform for articulating the region’s collective aspirations in a constructive, organised, and dialogic manner. Under his chairmanship, PANDEF championed the 16-point demand to the Federal Government—a blueprint aimed at redressing longstanding grievances through developmental and institutional reforms. This initiative redefined Niger Delta agitation from militancy to diplomacy, signaling a maturity of regional politics.
In the realm of education, Chief Clark was a tireless advocate philanthropist. He believed that the liberation of the Niger Delta lay not just in political representation but in intellectual empowerment. To this end, he supported countless student, established educational empowerment, and was instrumental in the founding of institutions, including the Edwin Clark University. Through such efforts, he invested not only in the present of the region but in its future leadership and self-reliance.
His commitment to environmental justice was equally profound. As a son of the oil-bearing ljaw nation, Chief Clark bore firsthand witness to the ecological degradation that plagued communities. He brought the plight of polluted rivers, deforested lands and dispossessed peoples to national attention, forcing successive governments and international oil companies to confront their complicity in the region’s suffering. His voice became a moral force pushing for environmental remediation and accountability.
Beyond regional issues, Chief Clark was a staunch advocate for restructuring Nigeria into a true federation. He believed that only a system that recognised and respected the autonomy of its constituent units could guarantee peace and progress. In numerous public fora and constitutional conferences, he was unrelenting in pushing for constitutional reforms that would enshrine equity, decenralisation, and fairness in national governance— a vision he championed till the very end.
As a mentor and statesman, Chief Clark left an indelible impact on political leadership across Nigeria. Many of today’s key national figures, especially from the South-South geopolitical zone, trace their political tutelage and inspiration to him. His mentorship transcended political party lines; he sought to build a cadre of leaders whose allegiance lay with the people rather than parochial interests. His boldness in speaking truth to power earned him both reverence and notoriety, yet he remained unflinchingly consistent in his principles.
In cultural advocacy, Chief Clark was an exemplary cust aw heritage. He championed the preservation of indigenous languages, customs, and values. His contributions to the promotion of Ijaw identity helped instil pride among the people and fostered intercultural dialogue with other ethnic nationalities. His cultural diplomacy underscored his belief that national unity did not require culltural uniformity, but mutual respect.
Chief Clark was not only a leader in thought but also in action. A prolific writer and public intellectual, his writings offered profound insights into the dynamics of Nigerian politics, federalism, social justice. He used the written word as a tool to inform, provoke thought, and chart a path forward for a troubled nation. His speeches and public statements often carried the weight of moral clarity and strategic foresight, setting the tone for national debates.
To the people of Rivers State and to us in the Rivers Elders and leaders Forum, Chief Clark represented a unifying figure, a bridge between elders and the youth, between tradition and modernity between activism and diplomacy. He personified a rare blend udacity and wisdom, resilience and reflection. His alliances, both political and personal, were forged not out of convenience but out of shared conviction in the cause of justice and national progress.
In mourning his passing, we do not merely grieve the death of a man, we honour the life of a movement (Chief E. K. Clark Movement).
Chief Clark’s legacy is immortalised not just in the institutions built or the policies he influenced, but in the hearts and minds he emboldened. His voice, though stilled in death, continues to echo in the collective conscience of a nation still in search of equity, unity and peace. The Niger Delta, and indeed all of Nigeria, will forever be indebted to the labours of this great patriot.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest and give strength to all who mourn him.
Adieu, Great Eagle of the Niger Delta.
Rest in perfect peace.”
Some dignitaries who graced the night of tribute of late Pa Edwin Clark in Port Harcourt are Chief Rufus Ada George, Prof. Ben Birabi, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, Ann Kio Briggs, Suspended Rivers SSG Tammy Danagogo, Suspended chief of Staff to Gov. Sim Edison Ehie, Sir GTG Toby, PG Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Sen John Mbata, Fmr SSG Bayelsa State Prof Steve Azaiki, Amb Godknows Igali, Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Chief Anabs Saraigbe, Bishop Zilly Aggrey, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Prof Atuboyedia Obianeme, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, Leaders of ljaw National Congress, Leaders of ljaw Youths Council, Fmr RSHA members, Elders of Rivers State, Immediate past (ousted) LG chairman, Bishop Elkanah Hanson, High powered delegation of the RWUS.
