The Pan Niger Delta Youth Empowerment Youth Forum(PANDYEF) has expressed its sorrow over the death of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, saying that the news of the “unfortunate transition of our dear founding father” was received with rude shock.
The elder statesman passed away Tuesday February 18, 2025 at the age of 96.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mazi Chika Art Adiele, the group, which is the youth wing of PANDEF, described the late Clark as “the last Trojan of democracy and resource control in the Niger Delta region”.
“We honour a man of excellence, virtue, diligence and integrity, whose life and times was profoundly examplary with rock solid dedication to justice, equity and fairness,” said PANDYEF.
Referencing the late foremost Ijaw leader’s contribution to national development, the youths said that he was a national icon and a selfless public servant.
PANDYEF also noted Pa Clark’s vigorous engagement in national discourse and the quest to make Nigeria a nation that works for its citizens irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.
According to the group, Clark was “a formidable force and a fearless elder statesman with unwavering commitment to changing our chequered narrative”.
“Like a seasoned administrator and skilled mariner navigating the Niger Delta ship through stormy waters, he stood in the gap as a beacon of hope and our region’s democratic stability,” PANDYEF stated.
The Niger Delta youths said that though a leadership lacuna has been created by Clark’s death, the late elder statesman has left indellible legacies that would keep his cherished memories alive
“The memory of his boldness remains deeply etched in our consciousness because of his Ideal communal disposition of shared prosperity and equitable distribution of resources to our people”.
PANDYEF particularly noted that death of Clark “is a great loss to the Niger Delta Youths”, adding that he would be sorely missed.
“We take solace in his outstanding sense of service aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing education and boosting economic development,” the youths said.