Pa Edwin Clark: Patriarch Of Conscience And Courage

For more than six decades, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark stood as a towering figure in Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural landscape, dedicating his life to the struggle for justice, equity, and national development. A nationalist, teacher, lawyer, administrator, and elder statesman, Pa Clark’s voice has echoed with conviction across Nigeria’s turbulent history, unwavering in the face of adversity and resolute in the pursuit of truth.
Born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, a serene community in Delta State, Edwin Clark began his career as a schoolteacher. His early years in the classroom imbued him with a deep sense of discipline and public service. He went on to become a lawyer. But it was in politics and activism that his passion for justice found full expression. With a mind sharpened by education and a heart fueled by patriotism, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a commissioner in the defunct Midwest Region during the administration of Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia.
As Commissioner for Education, Clark played a historic role in the founding of the University of Benin, one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions of higher learning. This singular act alone secured him a place in the annals of national development. But for Pa Clark, this was merely the beginning.
He went on to serve in various capacities in the federal government, including as Federal Commissioner for Information under General Yakubu Gowon’s regime. Throughout his public service career, Pa Clark consistently stood for the marginalized and gave voice to the voiceless, particularly advocating for the rights and development of the Niger Delta region, which had long been neglected despite its vast contribution to the national economy.
In his twilight years, he emerged as a respected voice of reason, often speaking out on national issues with rare candour. Whether it was on matters of federalism, restructuring, corruption, or the environment, his views were not only heard but respected sometimes even feared. His activism, especially through the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), reinforced his status as a moral compass for a nation in search of direction.
To many, he represented the conscience of the nation an elder whose interventions were often timely, truthful, and tinged with the wisdom of age and experience.
His love for education led him to establish Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, where he sponsored the first set of students on his personal scholarship. He made sure that all his younger siblings acquired education to the fullest with some of them becoming professors in their respective disciplines. He left in his wake significant legacies. At his burial three state governments offered to rebuild St. Paul’s Anglican Church, which was the church he grew up in.
His home in Abuja was a rallying point for politicians, journalists, activists, and statesmen who sought counsel and clarity in an increasingly uncertain Nigeria.
When the time came for his burial, the world stood still. Pa Clark was laid to rest amidst an outpouring of emotion, reverence, and gratitude that cut across ethnic, religious, and political lines.
From Abuja to Port Harcourt, to Yenagoa, to Warri, and Kiagbodo where his remains were laid in-state, the mood was solemn but dignified. His final journey was not merely a funeral it was a celebration of a life that spanned nearly a century of passionate service to Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who paid glowing tribute to the fallen icon, describing him as “a patriot who spoke truth to power with courage and clarity.”
“Chief Clark was never afraid to stand alone,” President Tinubu remarked. “He was a moral compass in our national discourse an unwavering advocate for the marginalized and a champion of the oppressed.”
From Abuja, the funeral procession moved to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which Pa Clark founded and led with conviction, organized a solemn memorial to reflect on his immeasurable contributions to the development and unity of the Niger Delta region. In Warri, the atmosphere was a blend of tradition and national mourning. Drumming, prayers, tributes, and solemn processions filled the air. His people the Ijaw nation honoured him as a son of the soil, an oracle of truth, and a beacon of their collective struggles and dreams.
A multitude of Nigerian leaders and personalities were in attendance, including former presidents, governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, activists, and representatives of civil society. International diplomats and regional leaders also paid their respects, acknowledging Chief Clark’s role in fostering peace and advocating for resource control and true federalism.
His death leaves a vacuum not easily filled, but his legacy will endure in the institutions he built, the lives he touched, and the principles he upheld. He reminded Nigeria that leadership is not about position but about service, conscience, and speaking out, even when it is inconvenient.
As the sun set over Kiagbodo, where he was the most illustrious son, and the earth received one of Nigeria’s brightest sons, it was clear: Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark did not die. He transcended into history, into legend, and into the soul of a grateful nation.