February 18, 2025
To the Family of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON,
The People of the Niger Delta, and the Entire Nigerian Nation,
Condolence Message on the Passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON
With profound sorrow yet immense gratitude for a life supremely well-lived, we, the Ijaw Diaspora Council, extend our deepest condolences on the passing of our revered father, leader, and titan of justice, Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON. The loss of this extraordinary statesman, who embodied the spirit, dignity, and unwavering resolve of the Ijaw Nation and the South-South region, has left an immeasurable void that words can scarcely capture.
The mighty Iroko has fallen, yet its shadow lingers, cast long and firm over the annals of our collective memory. A colossus of justice, a custodian of truth, a resolute leader and a critical voice against oppression—his journey was one of relentless advocacy for equity and justice and self-determination. The corridors of power, the creeks of the Niger Delta, and the sacred soil of our ancestors bear testimony to a life consecrated to selfless service, a spirit unwavering in the face of adversity.
We recall with reverence our meeting with Chief Clark on August 20, 2024, at precisely 8:33 pm, when he graciously granted the Ijaw Diaspora Delegation, led by Dr. T. J. Bozimo, the esteemed approval to document the biography of Major Isaac Adaka Boro. This singular act of endorsement was a testament to his lifelong commitment to preserving the legacy of our heroes, ensuring that history remains an immutable force in shaping the consciousness of future generations. He had requested our return for further deliberations, but fate, in its indiscriminate passage, did not allow that moment to materialize. Nevertheless, his charge remains a clarion call that we, as custodians of his vision, must honor with unwavering dedication.
Today, the drums of the creeks are hushed in solemn reverence. The tides murmur his name in sorrowful tribute. The mangroves whisper his good deeds to the wind, for even the earth itself knows that a giant has departed. Oh, Nigeria mourns! The Niger Delta wails! For the beacon of justice has been extinguished, and an era of titanic statesmanship has drawn to a close.
Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark—Gogorogo! The Eagle whose wings spanned generations, the warrior robed in wisdom—Osuo! A custodian of conscience, a sentinel of truth, a nationalist whose heartbeat pulsed for justice, unyielding in the face of intimidation, unshaken by the winds of compromise in making his vocal voice known, no matter whose ox is gored.
The curtain may have fallen, but the chronicles of his valor remain inscribed upon the indelible scroll of time. His name shall echo through eternity, his legacy, a fortress for those who continue the fight for equity and fairness in the Nigerian State. The Niger Delta shall forever recount his exploits, and the children of tomorrow shall invoke his spirit when they speak of courage, audacity, resilience, and unbroken resolve to fight for the legitimate demands of the Ijaws, nay Niger Delta in the political, administrative and economic landscape of Nigeria.
Though his earthly voyage is now complete, the struggle endures. For those who tread the path of righteousness never truly depart—they become the constellations that guide both the silent and vocal architects of the new Nigeria in the making, where equity and justice prevail in the administration of our beloved country.
May the celestial tides bear him home with grace, and may our ancestors receive him in a chorus of honor.
Rest in power, Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON.
Rest well, our hero—rest in eternal glory.
Signed:
With deepest sympathy and solemn tribute, Professor Mondy Selle Gold, LFP, INHF, FCILG, FEBS, PhD, PhD President, Ijaw Diaspora Council, Amadabo of Ijaw Diaspora
