By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has mourned the passing of the Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, describing him as a patriot who served Nigeria with dedication until his final moments.
Chief Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and a prominent voice for the Niger Delta region, passed away on Monday at the age of 97.
Speaker Abbas hailed Chief Clark as a statesman who championed the interests of the oil-rich Niger Delta and consistently advocated for justice and equity in national discourse. He praised the late leader’s tireless efforts in uniting the Niger Delta through PANDEF and forging alliances with other regional bodies for the collective good of the people.
Reflecting on Clark’s passing, which came shortly after the death of Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Speaker Abbas lamented the loss of yet another national icon, noting that Nigeria has lost a powerful voice for unity and progress.
The Speaker extended his condolences to the Clark family, the government, and the people of Delta State, as well as the entire Niger Delta region. He prayed for the peaceful repose of Chief Clark’s soul and asked God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.