…As Mulade, Other CSO Visit Clark’s Country Home For Condolence Visit
National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), and prominent Niger Delta Environmental Activists Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to take significant steps to honour the legacy of the revered Niger Delta Leader and Elder statesman, Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark by immortalizing his name with an Institution.
The late Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark passed on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Comrade Mulade who led various civil society organizations across the Niger Delta region in a condolence visit to the country home of the elder statesman at Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area on March 3, 2025, noted that the late PANDEL leader deserved to be honored. Mulade emphasized the importance of recognizing Clark’s contributions to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta region, stating that some roads and institutions should be named in his honour.
“Chief Edwin Clark was not just a father, leader or mentor, but he was a beacon of hope for the Ijaw people and a tireless advocate for justice and equity in the Niger Delta.
“To ensure that his legacy lives on, we urge Governor Oborevwori to consider naming key roads, educational institutions, and public facilities after him.”
Mulade and other CSO representatives across Niger Delta region shared stories of Clark’s impactful leadership and his relentless fight for the rights of the Niger Delta communities during the visit. They highlighted Clark’s role in advocating for environmental justice, social equity, and the protection of the region’s natural resources as well.
Mulade added, “We are very shocked but not disappointed over his sudden demise, he has been the voice and hope of the common people, less privileged, oppressed, a voice that speaks truth to power. Today he is no more, we are here to sympathize, console with the people despite the fact that we are here to celebrate the life and time of Pa. Edwin Clark.”
Recounting some of his contributions to the society, Mulade described his efforts as enormous and numerous that may not be able to count but said they could remember that he was instrumental to the establishment of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
“He was also the pioneer Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Mina in Niger State. He was an educationist, lover and encourager, he has contributed to the growth of Niger Delta, and much recently with the formation of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum PANDEF that has become the voice of the region. We are going to miss him greatly.
“He has left a legacy for us to emulate, his legacy must be sustained and those of us in the same constituency with Pa. Clark on advocacy as advocates must continue to sustain that legacy so that advocacy for the development of our region, communities and society must be sustained.
“I call on the Delta State government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take the lead in immortalizing him by renaming some institutions and roads after him”.
Notable Civil society Organizations and their leaders who joined Mulade on the visit included Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director, Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative; Comrade Taredei Okoh, Chairman NDOC Forum Bayelsa State; Chief Monday Ogheneruayitoobor, Environmental Rights Resource Center; Jennifer Okotie, Jenifer Okotie Initiative; Joy Omire Temile, Initiative for Peace and Stability; Samuel Ideh, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice; Comrade Benjamin Ajeromuna, Center for Human Rights and Public Complaints and host of others.