NDDC Chairman, Chiedu Ebie, Mourns Edwin Clark, Describes Him as a Colossal Loss
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Edwin Clark, describing him as a towering nationalist, statesman, and an unrelenting advocate for democracy, social justice, and national restructuring.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ebie extended condolences to the Clark family, acknowledging that while the elder statesman lived a fulfilled and glorious life, his demise remains a monumental loss to the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole.
Ebie, a former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and later Secretary to the State Government, extolled Pa Clark’s foresight and contributions to governance, education, and regional advocacy. He noted that Chief Clark’s enduring impact, especially through the institutions he established and the causes he championed, would remain a lasting legacy.
“As a teacher, lawyer, humanist, philanthropist, and Commissioner for Education in the Mid-Western Region from 1968 to 1971, and later as Commissioner for Finance and Establishment from 1972 to 1975, the Kiagbodo-born nationalist left his mark in the sands of history,” Ebie remarked. “During this period, he served with my late father, Professor John Ebie, who was Commissioner for Health in the same cabinet. It is with nostalgia that I recall how our families bonded during those years.”
Ebie highlighted Chief Clark’s unwavering commitment to the development of the Niger Delta, noting that even in retirement, he remained active in the struggle for national unity and regional progress. He recalled how Clark and his colleagues founded numerous organizations aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.
The NDDC chairman also acknowledged Clark’s philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Edwin Clark Foundation, which supported education and social development. In furtherance of his commitment to human capital development, Chief Clark established Edwin Clark University in Kiagbodo, Delta State, in 2015, to provide higher education opportunities for both his home state and the country at large.
“The entire Niger Delta region, alongside the Governing Board, Management, and staff of the NDDC, will greatly miss his fatherly guidance,” Ebie said. “On behalf of my family, the Governing Board, and the Management of the NDDC, I pray that God grants him eternal rest and gives his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
