BY JOEL GRANDBALL
THE management and staff of Edwin Clark University and Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, have described the transition of their Chancellor and founder, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark as a monumental lost to the institution, Niger Delta, Nigeria’ and the globe.
The institution in statement by the Vice Chancellor, Engr Prof Samuel Tita Wara, said, “Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was a voice for the minority, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
This is just as the Otota of Ancient Olomu kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, described Chief E.K Clark as a man who stood for his people and the Niger Delta region.
Prof Samuel Tita Wara was flanked by top management team of the institution which include, the Registrar, Mr Daniel Urhibo, the Librarian, Dr Wisdom Anyim, Mrs Elizabeth Opara, the PRO Mrs Esohe Clark, the Bursar, Chief Olori Magege and others at the Senate chamber of the institution.
According to him, “We got phone call from the foundation, the council and other family members that our father, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark l, being the forerunner of PANDEF, a well known person in Niger Delta, a voice beyond Niger Delta and Nigeria, sadly at this time sadly for us human beings has gone to be with his maker.
The family has issued a statement that was signed by Prof CC Clark and his son.
“As a university and a people that has benefited from the largeness of our father’s benevolence and we pray that God grant all of us this lost but more specifically we need grace and strength to ensure that his legacy would stand forever in the times and seasons of present and future generations.
“So that when they also come there would be history to the effects that there was one’s a man, not just in Kiagbodo, Niger Delta and Nigeria but there was a man who cares about the less privileged.
“There was a man who gave his voice and credence to change the trajectory of destinies, especially that of young people and as they say charity begins at home but his was not just only at home.”
On his part, chairman parents association of the institution, Chief Olori Magege said, “A titan has fallen, we are parents of Edwin Clark University because Pa Edwin Clark established the university.
“We are here in that position, because he has the large heart to leave a mark , a giant steps on the sands of time in form of this university, a titan has fallen, am iroko has fallen.
“We are trying to imagine a time again when someone close to him will ever come again. It is a lost and we pray for God to give every one of us the fortitude to bear the lost.
In a related development, the Otota of the Ancient Olomu kingdom, Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN, said, The death of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark is a collosal lost, a very big one. He is one of the elders, he is so courageous and frank.
“His comment about the politics in Nigeria and actually very active to the extent that his bran was intact, he remembered all details concerning his life and historical facts of Nigeria.
“He can tell you how he attended a meeting 50 years ago, where it held and at what time all those who were present, his memory was one of the uncommon memories.
“He was a great politician, a man who was there for his people including the South South and the political zone, he was a rallying point for everybody.”
