By Efidhere Omamuzo
Prominent Nigeria elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, would be buried Tuesday, 13th May, 2025, at Kiagbodo Town,Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Penaowei Clark, stated this Today Saturday while addressing Journalists at the Kiagbodo country home of late Chief (Dr) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Penaowei Clark, first son of Pa E. k. Clark in the company of the Pere of Ngbilebiri-Mien Kingdom, Kiagbodo, HRM Prince Samuel Akpomiemie Fuludu, Ogiogio II, Prof. Collins Clark, Chief Ebikeme Clark, and other members of the family said that the seven day burial programme will commence with a Lecture at the NAF Conference Centre & Suite on Wednesday, 7th May, 2025, in Abuja and climax with the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 18th May, 2025.
“Today makes it exactly 48 days since the demise of our dear father, Chief (Dr) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. He was born on 25th May,1927 at Erhuwaren in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. He was many things to Nigeria and indeed the people of Niger Delta: a gift to their generation; a strong and fierce voice for the economically emasculated people of the Niger Delta; a Sage, a political enigma and colossus in our time: a dogged fighter who never gave up on a just struggle; a fastidious personality with humble mien; an advocate of fairness and equity for his people; and an elder statesman. Although Papa is gone, his legacies will linger on for generations to come. Venit vidit visit (he came , he saw, he conquered).
Penaowei Clark in a statement made available to newsmen, revealed that the burial ceremony will begin on Wednesday May 7 with a lecture at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites Abuja by 11am.
According to The statement made available to newsmen, ” there will be a valedictory session on Thursday May 8 in honour of Pa. Clark at the Senate Chamber by 11am. Day of tribute would be held at NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Abuja on Friday, 9th May, at 3pm.
The statement noted that on Saturday, 10th May, 2025, there will be a Wrestling Contest in Yenagoa as well as Service of Songs at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, No. 39, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja at 5pm.
Continuing, the statement said on Sunday, 11 May, 2025, there would be Boat Regatta and Port Harcourt Masquerade and also a Candlelight Memorial at Yenagoa, Kiagbodo while the one at Abuja would hold No. 43, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja from 7pm to 8pm.
It stated that Monday, 12 May, 2025 will be for Commendation Service by 8am
at National Christian Centre, Abuja as well as Valedictory Court Session to be held simultaneously High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State.
The body of the elder statesman will depart from Abuja to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by 10:30am for a Commendation Service at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
The body will thereafter, depart to Warri, Delta State for lying in state at No. 5, Swamp Road, Warri, Delta State from 6:30 to 7pm and then depart to Kiagbodo Town, Delta State for service of Songs and all-night vigil.
On Tuesday, 13 May, 2025, between 10am to 10:30am there will be lying in state at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo Town, and a Commendation Service at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State from 10:30 to 11am.
This will be followed by funeral service, reception, internment and all-night vigil.Sunday, 18 May, 2025 will be for thanksgiving Service.
Recall that the PANDEF and South South leader died on February 17, 2025, in Abuja.
