Bayelsa set to immortalise Clark amid tributes from Jonathan, Diri

Bayelsa set to immortalise Clark amid tributes from Jonathan, Diri

13th May 2025

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday led a host of dignitaries to pay tributes to the late Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark, at his lying-in-state and commendation service in Yenagoa.

Prominent Ijaw leaders, including former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson; President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; and traditional rulers, gathered to celebrate the legacy of the revered elders statesman who passed away on February 17, 2024, at the age of 97.

Jonathan described Clark as a selfless leader who lived a life of service, urging the Ijaw people to honour his memory by fostering unity across all Ijaw clans and communities.

“The key thing for us, the Ijaw people from Arogbo in Ondo State to Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State, is to unite and not discriminate among ourselves,” Jonathan said. “Clark was not just a face of the Ijaw nation, but also of the Niger Delta and other marginalised groups. He was vocal, courageous, and uncompromising in his philosophy.

Governor Diri hailed the late Clark’s unwavering commitment to justice, development, and the Ijaw cause.

He announced that the Bayelsa State Executive Council had set up a committee to consider naming iconic streets and structures after Clark and other Ijaw heroes, including Jonathan and Dickson, as part of efforts to immortalise their contributions.

“We are not mourning, but celebrating a man of great deeds,” Diri said. “Pa Clark always spoke of unity, progress, and the collective development of our people.”

Former Governor Dickson described Clark as a respected national voice whose influence went beyond ethnic boundaries.

“The Ijaw nation has lost one of its finest. He lived and died in service to his people,” Dickson said.

INC President, Okaba, extolled Clark as a fearless defender of the oppressed and a unifying symbol of the Niger Delta.

“His legacy transcends politics. He reminded us that we all share the responsibility of building a just and equitable Nigeria,” he said.

The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said Clark’s fearless voice and advocacy for justice would remain unmatched.

“He was Nigeria’s loudest voice for truth and equity,” Dakolo noted.

PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, revealed that in his final days, Clark urged Ijaws to remain united and resilient.

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, described Clark as an icon whose impact on the Ijaw struggle and national affairs will never be forgotten.

“He embodied the essence of the Ijaw man and never wavered in his convictions,” he said.

Clark’s first son, Pinaowei Clark, read the Bible lesson from Ecclesiastes 3:1-6 during the service.