In a monumental loss to the nation, Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the revered leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has passed away at the age of 97. Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and a leading voice of the South-South region, passed on Monday, February 17, 2025, leaving the nation in deep mourning.
The news was confirmed by a family representative, Professor C.C. Clark, in a statement released on Tuesday. The statement, issued by the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, read: “The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”
This sorrowful news comes just days after the passing of another influential elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere. Adebanjo, who had lived a remarkable 96 years, passed away on February 14, 2025, further deepening the sense of loss felt across Nigeria.
Edwin Clark’s death marks the end of an era for the South-South region, where he had been a tireless advocate for the rights and development of the Niger Delta. His contributions to the political and socio-economic fabric of Nigeria remain etched in history. As an elder statesman, Clark played a pivotal role in advocating for equity and justice, especially in his unwavering fight for the betterment of the Niger Delta region.
The passing of such a figure, just days apart from another influential leader, is being felt deeply across Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta, where Clark was seen not just as a leader but as a father figure. As the nation reflects on his legacy, the loss is compounded by the death of Adebanjo, reminding many of the vanishing generation of leaders who shaped Nigeria’s history and politics.
The entire nation now looks to the family of Chief Edwin Clark as they navigate this difficult time, and further announcements on the arrangements will be awaited with bated breath. The legacy of this iconic figure, whose leadership spanned decades, will surely continue to resonate throughout the region and the country at large.