The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Chairman of South East Development Commission (SEDC), Emeka Wogu, yesterday, joined prominent Nigerians to commiserate with the family of Kiagbodo, in Burutu Local Council of Delta State, over the passing of their patriarch, Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at 97.

Azinge, in a condolence message made available to journalists in Asaba, described the transition of the sage, highly respected and influential nationalist, as a personal loss.

The monarch said he had known the late nonagenarian and prominent politician for over thirty years and learned a lot from him, especially his strong character and personality, courage and conviction.

Azinge noted that Clark had a distinguished public service career, having served under the military regime between 1966 and 1975, later became a member of an Advisory Committee set up by the then Military Governor of the defunct Mid-Western Region, the late Gen. David Ejoor before he was appointed a Federal Commissioner of Information.

He added that the late elder statesman was also a member of the defunct Mid-Western Region House of Assembly, and later a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stressing that he approached public service with every sense of responsibility and patriotism, which earned him the National Honours of OFR and CON, among other awards.

ON its part, Ohanaeze described the late Clark as a revered peace builder and an outstanding voice for regional cohesion and national unity.

It stated that Clark was a strong pillar in the political development of the country and a true compatriot.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, noted that the President General of the Igbo organisation, John Azuta-Mbata, and the entire Igbo nation received, with sadness, the news of the death of the leader of the Ijaw nation and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in Abuja, on Monday, February 17.

He stated that Mbata has extended his condolences to Clark’s family, PANDEF, Ijaw nation and Nigerians in general.

Also, paying tribute to the late elder statesman, the Chairman of SEDC and former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Wogu, called on Nigerians to honour the memory of the late Niger Delta leader by upholding the values he stood for, unity, justice and the relentless pursuit of a better Nigeria.

In a statement, Wogu described the late Clark as a “towering beacon of wisdom” and a “relentless advocate for justice,” emphasising his monumental contributions to Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

ALSO, the National Secretary of PANDEF, Beks Dagogo-Jack, has eulogised the late Clark, saying that no feet no feet no matter how wide, can fit into the shoes he has left behind.

In his tribute to the late elder statesman, Dagogo-Jack noted that Clark was a bold voice who spoke truth to power without fear or favour. “No voice so loud as can boldly sound the alarms you always raised and the unvarnished truths you constantly spoke to Power, in pursuit of fairness, equity and justice in our fatherland,” he said.

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), yesterday, expressed sadness over the passing of two revered elder statesmen, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of Afenifere, and Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Pa Adebanjo, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, passed away at the age of 96. Known for his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the unity of Nigeria, he was a tireless advocate for the interests of the Yoruba people and played a crucial role in the national discourse.

In a statement signed by CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group extended its condolences to the Afenifere socio-cultural organisation, the Yoruba nation, and the Adebanjo family, as well as to the people of the Niger Delta, mourning Clark’s demise.