The South South Integrity Group for Good Governance, a renowned pressure group, has mourned the reported death of foremost Niger Delta activist and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Pa Edwin Clark.
Clark was announced to have died at the age of 97 on Tuesday.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the coordinator, High Chief Alex Alabo Nathan, the group described Clark’s death as a huge loss to Nigeria and particularly the Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation.
While decrying his death, the group said the people of the Niger Delta and indeed Ijaw people can take solace from the fact that the late Clark led an impactful and inimitable life which saw him sacrifice all for the progress and betterment of his people.
Nathan further described the deceased as a foremost Niger Delta leader, activist, patriot, and one of the last of the generation of persons who genuinely fought for the freedom and rights of Ijaw people.
He recalled how the late Clark during his time as Federal Commissioner in the military era in Nigeria worked for the betterment of his people.
“The late Pa Clark while working with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, between 1966 and 1975 and in 1966, as a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region province, David Ejoor as well as his time as Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975, worked tirelessly for the progress of Ijaw people and the South South region,” he said.
Nathan noted that Clark has written his name in gold and will be remembered as one of the greatest Ijaw sons whose contributions to his country, region and ethnic group will never be forgotten.
While stating that Clark will be sorely missed, Nathan prayed for God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal peace and rest.