Edwin Clark: The Road To Kiagbodo

As I embarked on the journey to Kiagbodo, the hometown of the late Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, from Warri, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of somberness. The tranquil atmosphere of the Ijaw enclave of Ngbilebiri-mein Kingdom was palpable, but it was clear that something was amiss.

The atmosphere in Kiagbodo is heavy with grief, as if a dark cloud has descended upon the community. The usually vibrant town is now shrouded in mourning, with an air of sadness that hangs palpably in the air. The news of Chief Clark’s passing has cast a long shadow, leaving behind a sense of loss and bereavement that permeates every corner of the town.

The traditional ruler’s palace, usually bustling with socio-cultural activities, was eerily quiet. Upon arriving at the palace, I was met with a mix of sadness and celebration. The King had shut his palace to visitors for three days, a sign of respect for the departed leader. I was fortunate enough to gain an audience with HRM Prince Samuel Akpomiemie Fulubu Ogiogio III, the Pere of Ngbilebiri-mein Kingdom. His red eyes and somber demeanor spoke volumes about the loss they had suffered.

Kings don’t cry but I wept’, he said.

Kings don’t beg, they decree; they don’t cry, they conquer but when a king says he shed tears, despite his strong and powerful image, it is a display of humanity and great respect for the departed.

It shows that even those in positions of power and authority are not immune to the emotions that come with loss and bereavement.

So was the experience when the traditional ruler spoke to the Sun correspondent on the demise of late High Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark in the early hours of Tuesday.

Describing Clark as an “Iroko tree, an illustrious son”, he said that he was the Prime Minister (spokesman) of the kingdom. He was also a kingmaker and one among the 13 that crown the current king.

The king’s somber demeanor was profound by Chief Clark’s passing. The two shared a deep familial bond, being kindred and from the same family, and the king’s grief was palpable. Chief Clark’s identity was deeply intertwined with his hometown, Kiagbodo, which he proudly carried about wherever he went.

“He was one of the greatest sons, not only of Izon, Nigeria and outside Nigeria but greatest leader we have seen. He was the Bebeareowei of the Kingdom and a kingmaker before his demise. The kingdom has 13 kingmakers and he was one of them.

“He is a great son of the Kingdom, a great son of Ijaw and foremost Niger Delta leader and a father of the nation as a whole. He has served in the highest capacity in his life.

On his contribution to the development of the community, the traditional ruler said; “he even established a university in this community and the university is doing very well. Among the several universities in Nigeria, I hear his university is number 25 position so he has done well.

“He likes peace, he likes justice, he like fairness, and development in the regional areas. These are the things we know him for. He doesn’t like oppression, he is very truthful and trustworthy and when you work with him you will enjoy him because if you’re very truthful, honest and loyal to the details of government instrument of development you will become a friend of his. So, all of these things will make us to miss him a lot.

“Since his passing we have been crying that why must we miss such a great son of ours. Before you see a person like him again it will take about ten years. Before you can see a great person like Clark, 10 may have gone by. So we pray God for his soul to rest in the bosom of God so that all of us will continue to celebrate his demise.

“People have been coming for condolence but to be frank you are the only person I have not asked to go away. Some people who came earlier including journalists I asked them to go away because I was still crying; they say a king doesn’t cry but this one I cried”.

The monarch called for the immortalization of Chief Clark by the state and federal governments respectively. He appealed to the Federal government to create a local government headquarters or a federal High Court, in Kiagbodo in memory of the late sage.

Chief Clark’s passing have continued to sent shockwaves throughout the community. But some locals were unaware of his demise, while others were in mourning. However, amidst the sadness, there was also a sense of celebration.

The compound of Pa Clark’s country residence became a beehive of activities after the first three-day mourning ceremony, with canopies, chairs, and tables set up. Two giant cows were brought in, ready to be slaughtered for the guests who would come to pay their respects.

He was a man of immense influence and vision. Born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, he went on to become a renowned politician, lawyer, and economist . He served as a federal commissioner for information and was a key advisor to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

One of his most enduring legacies is the Edwin Clark University, which he established in his hometown in 2015. The university has become a beacon of hope for the community, providing access to quality education and opportunities for growth.

We need grace to survive his passage’ – Edwin Clark’s University

Upon entering Kiagabodo, the first thing that catches your attention is the sprawling campus of the university. In response to the passing of Chief Edwin Clark, the university management and staff opened a condolence register for visitors at the reception area outside the Vice Chancellor’s office.

Vice Chancellor of the institution, Engr Prof Samuel Tita Wara, who spoke to our correspondent, described Chief Clark as a voice for the minority, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

Prof Wara who was flanked by top management team of the institution including, the Registrar, Mr Daniel Urhibo, the Librarian, Dr Wisdom Anyim, Mrs Elizabeth Opara, the PRO, Mrs Esohe Clark, the Bursar, Chief Olori Magege and others, at the Senate chamber of the institution, said the institution would missed him greatly.

“We got phone call from the foundation, the council and other family members that our father, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, being the forerunner of PANDEF, a well known person in Niger Delta, a voice beyond Niger Delta and Nigeria, sadly at this time sadly for us human beings has gone to be with his maker.

“As a university and a people that has benefited from the largeness of our father’s benevolence and we pray that God grant all of us this lost but more specifically we need grace and strength to ensure that his legacy would stand forever in the times and seasons of present and future generations.

“So that when they also come there would be history to the effects that there was one’s a man, not just in Kiagbodo, Niger Delta and Nigeria but there was a man who cares about the less privileged.

“There was a man who gave his voice and credence to change the trajectory of destinies, especially that of young people and as they say charity begins at home but his was not just only at home.”

In his remark, Chairman of Parents Association of the the institution, Chief Olori Magege said, “A titan has fallen; we are parents of Edwin Clark University because Pa Edwin Clark established the university.

“We are here in that position, because he has the large heart to leave a mark, a giant steps on the sands of time in form of this university, a titan has fallen, an Iroko has fallen.

“We are trying to imagine a time again when someone closes to him will ever come again. It is a lost and we pray for God to grant every one of us the fortitude to bear the lost.

The Public Relation Officer of the institution, Mrs Esohe Clark who received our correspondent around 3:pm, said that Chief Clark’s death was a personal lost to her because he was not just a boss but also a father in-law.

She said that Clark has been a father to her since she lost her biological father when she was two years old.

“It was very sad news to us. We know he was old but we never saw it coming, a man of his age may probably be putting on diaper but he never worn diaper, he was strong and vibrant with good sound memory.

“He was very okay but like he always say he has taken his body pass and he was waiting for the plane to take off so it was just his time and the plane has just taken off.

“The institution will miss him a lot, the staff, student and management we missed him a lot. He was a great man, as a proprietor and a chancellor.

“He never fails to pay us salary, we heard of some institutions owing salaries and paying backlog but he never owe us, he pay as at when due and I think that’s what they are going to missed about him first of all.

“If you look behind you will see a cow, he always bring cow for us to celebrate even when we were ranked number 25th best University in Nigeria, we celebrated, he likes celebration. We all ate together on this campus, we had a party and we all merry. We are going to miss him a lot. He’s so kind, passionate and always ready to welcome anyone.

“The VC is heartbroken, he is new and has not known the proprietor enough but the little time he has met him he was like wow. So Papa death is the will of God, he’s old. He is 97 now and supposed to be 98 in May 25 but he just decided to board the plane finally and his plane has taken off.

“The proprietor was my father in-law and he was the best I could ever wish for and he was a father I never had. I lost my father when I was two years old so when I married into the family I never missed my father for one day. He was a lovely father in-law.

She said that the students have not been officially told but may have known from the social media. She disclosed that the institution is currently shut down and to resume 1st of March.

It’s just like midnight in Kiagbodo

According to Mr. Paul Erhiori Clark, Chairman of the Kiagbodo community and a relative of Chief Clark, the community is in mourning, as if night has fallen in the daytime. He described Chief Clark as a courageous leader who fought for justice, hated oppression, and stood up for the rights of his people.

“He was a great man not only to his children, brother and sister but the entire community, the local government, Burutu, Delta and Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. Today the town has been very calm. It is just like midnight in Kiagbodo. You know midnight you don’t see people talking; everywhere will be calm and quite so is the town now after the news of Pa Clark’s demise came.

“The town is crying. The people here are crying and they are crying for their leader and father and crying for the great man who has contributed to their lives.

“Nobody had ever spoken badly about daddy, he was a great mobilize”

He eulogise him for bringing the university to Kiagbodo instead of taking it to the big cities. “Bringing the university was his biggest legacy. Today the institution has developed the community and created jobs for our people so that they can have food to eat.

He did it so that people can be employed and today 90 percent of the people in the community are employed at the university and at the end of the month they receive their salaries. Nothing can be better than that!.

“The university has touched many lives since it was established. People from everywhere in Nigeria like the professors, lecturers and other staffs are from other places and daddy had given them food by their employment.

“The university have developed the community and today the name of Kiagbodo is in the map of the world because of the university”.

Asked if the community have been victimised or marginalised because of Clark’s social-crusading nature, he said that rather he has use “his advocacy to bring government closer to us. You know government listen to Daddy.

“He hates oppression and if government is doing well he will praise you but if you are not doing well, you are oppressing the people he will still tell you so we have no regret”.

The community would later hold a night wake keeping for him till dawn. Clark had instructed that anytime his plane decided to fly, “we should celebrate him and that is what we are doing today. He fought to unite the country, he fought for Niger Delta and he said we should celebrate him and allow people to eat, drink and merry”.

Engr. Omotoghene Tega, who was like an adopted son to Chief Clark, spoke glowingly of his passing. “He was a father to all. Anytime I called him, he always sent me on an errand. He had a fulfilled life at 97. He has children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of us are celebrating his death because he lives a fulfilled life.

Seleke-Owei Dubasuode, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ngbilebiri-mein Clan, echoed similar sentiments. “Personally I am pained because I still believe that Daddy has a lot to offer. I never knew at this particular time that he will leave us even though he was of ripe age of 97; I still feel he has a lot to offer. I am however consoled by the fact that he leaves a well fulfilled life. A life that will continue to inspire generation to generation and we are proud of him.

“We hope the vacuum he left behind though will be difficult to fill doesn’t affect us as Ijaw people.

“He was at the forefront of the Ijaw struggle for more than seven decades. He has always been the last resort whenever there is trouble in Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region.”

“But now that he is gone, I ask this question who will now be that person that will be our last resort when there is crisis in Ijaw nation? There is still no answer yet because he played a very key role in unity and peaceful coexistence in Ijaw nation, IYC and Ijaw National Council and Niger Delta States.

“The vacuum is too large and it will be very difficult to fill but we are hopeful that God in his infinite mercy will come to our aid now that Daddy is no more”.

Immediate younger sister of Clark, Mrs Koshare Clark-Omo-Udoyo was also at the compound to mourn. She revealed how her late elder brother ensured that she was educated to her master’s level against all odds. The 86 year old woman is the only female amongst the five children of their mother. She spoke with Chief Clark two days before his death in Abuja.

“My father didn’t prepare me for school because of their trade sojourn and as they were travelling to Umoru to buy their products, they asked me to drop at Okrika where my late brother, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was the headmaster.

“I reluctantly came down from their boat crying and my brother sent some students to pick me at the river bank and put me into school. My close relationship started when my father and mother left me and I started school while staying with him, we are of same father and mother and he was the oldest who was already working before I started staying with him.

“Right from his youthful days, my brother was very outspoken, he never feared anybody, though my father was a very harsh man, but I didn’t know where my late brother got his boldness.

“To him, I am a child and I will miss his scolding after which he will call you to do one or other things for him and you cannot refuse. My brother probably decided to stay put in Abuja after he returned from a major treatment.

On her part, Step sister to Pa Clark, Mrs Fine-Titi Ologbo-Clark disclosed that the vacuum left behind for the Bekederemo families by Pa Clark would be difficult to fill.

She said, “I don’t know what to say because our father ensured that we are all educated and employed, he trained me to become a Nurse.

“Am short of words to describe the type of man he was, he took his family issues personal despite the huge national issues that were before him, while we mourn his passage, I am confident that his legacies will be remembered.” she added.

The Otota of Ancient Olomu kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, in his condolence message describe Chief E.K Clark as a man who stood for his people and the Niger Delta region.

Akpomudje said, “The death of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark is a colossal lost, a very big one. He is one of the elders is so courageous and frank.

“His comment about the politics in Nigeria and actually very active to the extent that his bran was intact, he remembered all details concerning his life and historical facts of Nigeria.

In a condolence message, the Ijaw Journalists Association Worldwide, (IJAW), described the foremost Ijaw/South-South leader and Nigerian elderstatesman, as a colossus and a ‘mobile library’.

IJAW, in a statement in Warri, Delta State, endorsed by its National President, Bulou Kosin, and Secretary, Ezekiel Kagbala , said; “Chief E.K. Clark, was a colossus who swept through the socio-political landscape like a typhoon, in his glorious career in Nigeria as Teacher, Attorney, State and Federal Commissioner, Senator and Entrepreneur.

“A scion of the Clark-Ambakederemo dynasty, of Kiagbodo in Delta State, Chief E.K. Clark not only raised a formidable extended family that is arguably first-eleven in Nigeria.

“He was himself a towering personality that is the pride of the Ijaw nation where he hails from.

“With remarkable cerebral prowess, Chief Clark, was a mobile library and a treasure trove of socio-political history that both young and the older generations drew recalls”.

According to the group, “Chief Clark while a relentless advocate of rights of his Ijaw/Niger Delta people especially in the twilight of his life as PANDEF leader and a defender of the downtrodden everywhere, he was bold, fearless and dedicated to justice, national cohesion and development which earned him the prestigious titles of the Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)”.

“We are gladdened that Clark’s life and times constitute resource and research materials for scholars on the pathway to selflessness, nationalism and promotion of education for family and nation building. We are consoled that he has tutored a few persons, who, we hope, will gradually grow into the very big shoes that he left behind in the Ijaw nation”, the IJAW statement noted.

“We condole with the late Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark’s immediate family, the good people of Kiagbodo, his hometown, the government and people of Delta State, the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and indeed the Nigerian nation over the great loss.

“We urge the Niger Delta, especially the Ijaw nation to do justice to the memory of our colossus by remaining inspired to pursue the ideals Chief Clark represented till he passed on 17th February 2025 at–about 3 months shy of–98 years!”, the statement concluded.

As I left Kiagbodo, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the life and legacy of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. His passing may have left a void, but his impact on the community and the nation will be felt for generations to come.