NIGER DELTA – The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, received the leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in a courtesy visit.
The delegation, led by PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, came to formally inform the Senate about the passing of their revered leader, Pa Edwin Clark, who died on Monday.
Acknowledging the gravity of the loss, Akpabio assured the PANDEF leadership that the Senate would be fully involved in honoring Clark’s memory.
“We agreed to send a strong delegation to come and condole with you, condole with the immediate family and the good people of Ijaw nation, Niger Delta as a whole and other Nigerians,” he stated.
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He emphasized that the Senate would participate in all burial activities, recognizing Clark’s immense contributions to the nation.
Expressing gratitude to PANDEF for their visit, Akpabio remarked, “We have received the news now formally, and I want to thank you for the honor that you have done to the National Assembly by coming as a delegation to let us know that yes indeed, our father is gone. The father of Nigeria. One of those who have made Nigeria what it is.”
Akpabio described the late elder statesman as a nationalist who transcended ethnic and regional interests. “Pa Edwin Clark was not just any Nigerian.
He was a Pan Africanist… an iconic leader… a detribalized Nigerian who fought particularly for the welfare of the minorities across Nigeria, not just in the Niger Delta.”
He highlighted Clark’s lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and national unity, emphasizing that his leadership left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Reflecting on Clark’s last moments, Akpabio shared a powerful anecdote: “And today, to hear that at the age of 97, almost 98, he lived with his principles intact and on his passage, all he could mutter was ‘I love Nigeria,’ ‘I am a Nigerian.’ I think one can write a PhD thesis out of that.”
He stressed that Clark’s final words serve as a lesson for all Nigerians, urging citizens to uphold the virtues of patriotism and unity.
In conclusion, Akpabio called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their love for the country despite its challenges.
“We must not lose faith no matter what is happening. No matter the travails that we are passing through today. We must love Nigeria. We must believe in Nigeria.”
Truth Live News reports that his message reinforced the importance of national unity and the enduring legacy of Pa Edwin Clark.