Burial plans for the late elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark who died February 17, 2025, have been unveiled by the family.
At a press conference on Saturday at the deceased’s country home, the eldest son of the late leader of the Ijaw Nation, Penaowei Clark, announced that he will be buried on May 13, 2025 in his family compound in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Penaowei Clark, a United States-based industrialist, was joined at the press conference by his other siblings, including Chief Ebikeme Clark, who is the Delta State Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure Development, as well as their older sister and other notable family members.
He told journalists that the May 13, 2025, date scheduled for the burial of their patriarch was arrived at after due consultation with all stakeholders, including the government, political associates, and religious and sociocultural organisations.
Giving details of the burial programme, he disclosed that “On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, there will be a lecture at the NAF Conference Centre & Suite, Abuja, at 11 am. On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a Valedictory Session will be held at the Senate Chambers at 11 am.
“On Friday, May 9, 2025, there will be a Day of Tribute at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Abuja, at 3 pm, while on Saturday, May 10, 2025, a Wrestling Contest will take place in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, and a Service of Songs will be held at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, No. 39, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja at 5 pm.
“A Boat Regatta, Port Harcourt Masquerade and Candlelight Memorial will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Yenagoa, Kiagbodo in Delta, and in his Abuja residence, No. 43, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja from 7 pm to 8 pm.”
“On Monday, May 12, 2025, a Commendation Service will be held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, at 8 am, while a Valedictory Court Session will hold simultaneously at High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State by 10 am.”
Penaowei said his father’s body will depart Abuja to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at 10:30 am, and a Commendation Service will be held at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from 1:3opm to 2:30 pm.
According to him, “Chief Clark’s Body departs for Warri, Delta State by 2:30 pm and a lying-in-state at No. 5, Swamp Road, Warri, Delta State, will hold from 6:30 pm to 7 pm. At 7:30 pm, his body departs for Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, for a Service of Songs and an all-night vigil at Kiagbodo Town, Delta State.
“On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, lying-in-state will hold at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo Town, Delta State by 10 am to 10:30 amm and by 10:30 to11 am, a Commendation Service at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State. At 11 am, a Funeral service will be held, and a reception will be held by 1 pm, while internment and an all-night vigil will start by 5 pm. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, there will be a Thanksgiving Service.”
Late Edwin Clark, popularly called E. K Clark, was born on May 25, 1927. He was Nigeria’s former Federal Commissioner for Information during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
He was later elected a Senator during the Second Republic and remained very active and relevant in the national polity until recently, when he formally resigned from active politics.
At the community level, E. K. Clark founded the Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo and held several traditional titles. An advocate of good governance and accountability, Chief Clark was always adored and greeted by his people as “Gogorogo” New Power, a greeting that stemmed from his great-grandfather, Chief Bekederemo Ogbeni.