The outspoken elder-statesman and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader, Edwin Clark, is dead.
The death of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader’s death aged 97, was confirmed in a statement by a representative of the family, Prof. C. C. Clark, on Tuesday.
The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025.
“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”
Born 25 May 1927, Clark is an Ijaw leader and politician from Delta State who collaborated with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state General Yakubu Gowon from 1966 to 1975.
In 1966, he served on an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region, David Ejoor, and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.
Known for his philanthropy, he founded the Edwin Clark Foundation and established a university, Edwin Clark University in his hometown, Kiagbodo, Delta State.
Clark was born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State. He attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka. Thereafter, Clark worked briefly as a school teacher before travelling abroad to earn a law degree.
The notable Nigerian poet J. P. Clark was his younger brother.
