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DIGNITARIES PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE ELDER STATESMAN, CHIEF EDWIN CLARK

The funeral service of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, was held on Tuesday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Kiagbodo, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. The service was attended by several dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described Chief Clark as a passionate advocate for resource control, economic and social justice. “Pa Clark was a beacon of courage who spoke for the Niger Delta and the nation. His views on national issues were distinct and patriotic. He believed in a united Nigeria,” Tinubu said. Former President Goodluck Jonathan described Pa Clark as a great nationalist who lived in full validation of human dignity. “He was a staunch advocate for freedom and national pride. Pa Clark was more than a father and leader; he was an ambassador, an audacious voice for the voiceless, and a steadfast preacher of justice and minority rights,” Jonathan said. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said Pa Clark was a pan-Nigerian and Pan-African who fought for all, including minorities. “He has left a legacy and a responsibility to his followers. He did well for Nigeria and for the Niger Delta. The Senate valued him, and his memory will remain a part of our national history,” Akpabio said. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described Pa Clark as fearless, vocal, bold, assertive, and unrelenting in speaking truth to power. “Pa Clark lived a fulfilled life and will be remembered for his legacy and contributions to nation-building. He was a teacher, educator, politician, and astute public servant, an example of a life dedicated to service,” Oborevwori said. The Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Cyril Odutemu, delivered a poignant homily, referencing Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is better than riches.” He lauded Pa Clark’s virtues, calling him a champion of integrity and a man of impeccable character. “His dedication to justice and integrity earned him the reputation of a true voice for the Niger Delta,” the Archbishop said.

PROMINENT IJAW LEADERS GATHER IN YENAGOA TO HONOUR LATE PA EDWIN CLARK

Distinguished leaders from Nigeria’s Ijaw nation converged on Monday at Ijaw House in Yenagoa to pay their respects to the late elder statesman and Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away in February at 97, Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa State Governor, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed in a statement. The solemn lying-in-state ceremony saw emotional tributes from former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, former governor Seriake Dickson, and other prominent figures who celebrated Clark’s lifelong dedication to the Ijaw cause and national unity. Daniel Alabrah noted that the event attracted dignitaries from across the Niger Delta and beyond, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan. In his tribute, former President Jonathan described the departed leader as “the face of the Niger Delta” whose advocacy transcended ethnic boundaries. “People from Middle Belt and other regions visited him more than Ijaws because he championed justice for all oppressed groups,” Jonathan stated. Governor Diri announced plans to immortalize Clark through state monuments, with Daniel Alabrah later clarifying that “the executive council has constituted a committee to name key infrastructure after Ijaw heroes including Pa Clark, Dr Jonathan and Senator Dickson.” Senator Dickson remembered Clark as “a voice respected nationwide for his selflessness,” while INC President Professor Benjamin Okaba praised him as “an irrepressible voice for the voiceless.” Daniel Alabrah reported that the ceremony concluded with traditional rites and a Bible reading from Ecclesiastes by Clark’s first son, Pinaowei Clark, as the late leader’s casket was draped in Ijaw national colors.

SUSPENDED RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR SIMINALAYI FUBARA SPEAKS ON REINSTATEMENT

Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed his indifference towards returning to office, stating that his “spirit has already left” the position. Fubara made this remark during a service of songs held in Port Harcourt on Sunday, May 11, in honor of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark. The event, organized by the Rivers Elders Forum, was attended by several prominent figures who referred to Fubara as “Governor” and condemned his suspension, urging for an immediate reversal of the decision. However, Fubara distanced himself from these sentiments, labeling them as personal opinions that may not contribute to peace in the state. “Not everything is by oshogbe,” Fubara said, suggesting a preference for calm and strategic action over confrontation. He added, “Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there.” Fubara also warned that some of his well-meaning supporters’ actions had unintentionally escalated tensions, making his situation more difficult. He urged the attendees to focus on celebrating Edwin Clark’s legacy rather than turning the event into a political congregation. Fubara praised Clark for living a selfless life and advocating for the Niger Delta region. The suspended governor’s comments come after President Bola Tinubu suspended him, his deputy, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly on March 18 amid political turmoil involving Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike.

AS THE CLASS OF TRUE PATRIOTS TO WHOM IT IS COUNTRYFIRST PREDICATED ON JUSTICE, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS THINS DOWN. WE SAY ADIEU PA AYO ADEBANJO AND GOOD NIGHT PA E.K CLARK

Waking up to the now common Valentine’s Day frenzy in modern Nigeria, just before the red and white, and the all red colours that define February 14th tore through the morning space; calls, messages and Breaking News of the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo tore through the Heavens validating Shakespeare’s age long quote, “when beggars die, there are no comets seen; the Heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes”. Pa Adebanjo loved his Country so much he fought for justice, for fairness, for equity and for an egalitarian society until he took a bow at the very ripe age of 96. He loved Nigeria so much his lifelong campaign was for a Society that works for all. He was a doyen of Justice, of Equity, of Fairness and of Inclusion. He loved us so much that our fault lines to him were manifest tapestry of the potentialities of a Rainbow coalition centred on the conquering and therapeutic force of True Love should our nation elect the egalitarian ideals of equity, of Justice and of fairness over our primordial fault lines and prejudices. He was so much a lover of Truth and the beloved Community that he took a bow on February 14 ditto Lovers Day. Fare Thee Well Pa Ayo Adebanjo, we love you, and your unassailable legacies shall remain indelible. Whilst we were yet processing the worthy words and trite refrain soothing the Iroko Pa Ayo Adebanjo, he called out from the yonder place to his friend and Comrade of several decades Pa E.K Clark, yes on the 17th of February, 2025 another doyen of the progressive left and leader of popular struggle heeded that call. Was it the conspiracy of the gods or a coup hatched by the Universe that the nonagenarian pillars of the struggle for a nation that works for all chose to depart the stage 3 days apart? February the 14th and February the 17th, 2025 tore through a nation’s womb leaving a void, now we must recruit newer and younger progressive elements to whom COUNTRYFIRST must be a creed and a commitment. Now we must grow more Pa Adebanjos and Pa Clarks, and now we must rededicate ourselves to the unalterable task of building a nation that works for all. I have read several tributes by several groups in honour of both paladins of popular struggle, and must I rehearse the nobility of their lives and the cause for which they stood tall? Must I preach about the preachments that kept them in the news until they passed at 96, and 97 respectively? Need I tell you that Pa Ayo Adebanjo was the living conscience of Afenifere speaking to a nation largely bereft of conscience, saying you must do right, you must imbibe the priceless ideals of equity and you must be JUST to all the peoples of the Republic. Need I remind you of the extremely versatile Pa Edwin Clark who fought until his death for Restructuring, for True Fiscal Federalism, for Resource Control, for Inclusion, for Justice, for Equity and for Fairness to all. Need I tell of the resilience of the High Chief from Kiagbodo in Delta State, who challenged his nation to justice for her marginalized Oil Producing Communities? What more should I tell you about him that is possibly not out there? Should I remind you of his many efforts and interventions to inspire national cohesion and unity? Have you forgotten the several vehicles of collaboration under his watch including PANDEF the one he led until his light went out on the 17th of February, 2025. Folks, at the core of this short tribute is the call for a new republic of Comrades, of Statesmen, of well-meaning citizens who will fill in the void, repopulate the vacuum they left behind, and commit to building a conscious mass to whom it will remain COUNTRYFIRST. If we fail to live by the values for which we have written great words in honour of the duo, then we have a nation doomed to the invidious politricks of soulless and conscienceless power grabbers to whom all that counts is ME, MYSELF AND I. If we fail to grow a stronger and wider class of Patriots, then we are doomed to dark nights of hopelessness. And we are doomed to a cycle of egocentric politicians who prey on our nation’s fault lines to and for political profit. This effort is a question mark on our collective conscience, if we ever truly love Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and Pa E.K Clark we must rise beyond the fine words of the season and the flowery tributes, and urge and nudge a massive surge in the ideas, ideals and ideologies of egalitarianism. We must put COUNTRYFIRST, and make the values of responsible and responsive leadership our collective minimum, such is the duty we owe our departed Titans. Fare Thee Well great Paladins of Right, Goodnight Pa Adebanjo, Adieu Pa Clark… We shall yet make Nigeria Great. Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.