IBB Mourns Edwin Clark, Says Niger-Delta Iroko Has Fallen

WEDNESDAY February 19, 2025 | TheNewsDESK

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida has mourned the death of elder statesman Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, likening his passing to the giant Iroko tree falling in the forest.

The late Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), who served the nation as Federal Commissioner for Information in the First Republic and later as a Senator in the Second Republic, died on Monday at his residence at the age of 97.

In a condolence message on Wednesday, IBB said the renowned nationalist and Ijaw national leader had a significant influence on Nigeria’s national discourse spanning over six decades, particularly on issues of resource control and environmental justice in the Niger Delta region.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family, describing the late Chief Clark as a distinguished patriot and a fearless advocate for justice and equity.

IBB added that Clark’s voice was beyond his age; strong, viable, remarkable and loud enough for all to hear. He noted that Clark’s convictions remained the same for many years. “At 97, he never gave up. He was still his very idealistic self, driven by his convictions and soaked in his beliefs. He was fearless, courageous, resilient, and brutally frank.”