The passage of Chief Edwin Clark came as shock to many of us. This is because he was active, keeping his usual routine of work ethics, waking up early, observing his morning prayers, taking his bath and dressing up, going through daily newspapers, seeing visitors who came with one problem or the other, and attending to various local issues.

He also took keen interest in watching the television channels to keep abreast of current happenings, calling on his aides for one issue or the other. This is beside the fact that he made out time in writing books, especially the latest, The History of Warri, which is yet to be published.

Indeed, Edwin Clark’s daily routine was usually tight that he had little or no time to rest, as he was often occupied even to the wee hours of the next day. Throughout the day he was either at his office or talking to various ethnic, political, social and traditional leaders across the South-South on issues bordering on unity, understanding and common purpose affecting the region.

Papa Clark was 97 years old but in intellect and work ethics, he didn’t look that age; he looked like a young man on mission of redemption. Clark was a colossus who used his connections to benefit ordinary Nigerians rather than self or family. He was disciplined and abhored corruption, nepotism, tribalism and oppression. These attributes endeared him to the people; he was bold, courageous and firm; there can never be another Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

We may not see another Edwin Clark because we don’t have a strong national voice or regional voice in anyone in the South-South as we had in Chief E.K. Clark. When Rivers State was under crisis towards the end of the administrations of former Governors Peter Odili and Celestine Omehia, many were afraid to speak out. But Clark mobilised political leaders across the South-South, including Rivers State, to the Presidential Villa at the invitation of the late President Musa Yar’Adua. Chief Clark did not waste time to tell President Yar’Adua to declare a state of emergency in that state. He also went on to present a detailed evidence to Mr. President, including the names of the political leaders who were responsible for the political violence and killings in Rivers State. A shocked President Yar’Ardua was speechless, and while thanking Chief Clark promised to act on his recommendations.

Another incident was the Gbaramatu invasion from air, sea and land by the Nigerian military during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo which declared Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, wanted over killings of military personnel. It was a scenario where I saw a man’s love for his people and determination to save them. Apart from issuing press releases, he picked his phone to reach out to President Obasanjo, the Chief of Defense Staff and other top officers of the military, admonishing them not to destroy the community because of misdeeds of a few, insisting on the rule of law.

Clark was loved by ordinary Nigerians who are daily victims of bad governance that has become their lot. But he was hated by the corrupt political leaders and aristocrats who are beneficiary of the corrupt institution in Nigeria. Clark was a torn in their flesh and he spared no one when it came to corruption because he understood the danger corruption posed to our development.

Clark attributed poor family health system, falling standard of education, bad roads, communal crisis, among others, to corruption.

As a sage, he had his disciples in the South-South and beyond who would give him feedbacks on unfolding developments in the country.

He cherished his roots, both maternally and paternally, and was able to trace and tap his biological lineages in most communities in Delta State and beyond. His sharp intellect was always evident as he could state the facts, dates and events accurately. Clark attained Olympian height in all areas of life but relied heavily on relationship. On daily basis, he woud reach out to solve problems, and till he passed on many children were on his scholarship. He never discriminated and his residences in Abuja, Warri and Lagos were open for many he never knew.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/e-k-clark-the-passage-of-a-strong-cleansing-wind/