‘The Great Iroko Has Fallen’, VP Shettima Mourns Edwin Clark’s Passing
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the death of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, describing his passing as a significant loss to Nigeria, likening it to the fall of the giant Iroko tree in the forest.
The late Chief Clark, who was the chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a Federal Commissioner for Information, and a former Senator in the Second Republic, passed away on Monday at the age of 97 at his residence.
In a condolence message released on Wednesday, VP Shettima, through his spokesperson Stanley Nkwocha, praised the renowned nationalist and Ijaw leader for his influential role in Nigeria’s national discourse for over six decades. Shettima highlighted Clark’s steadfast advocacy on issues such as resource control and environmental justice, particularly for the Niger Delta region.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family and described the late Chief Clark as a distinguished patriot and a fearless champion for justice and equity.
“When the giant Iroko tree falls, the landscape itself is forever altered,” Shettima stated. “Today, our national horizon looks markedly different without Chief Clark’s commanding presence that has defined our political discourse for over six decades.”
VP Shettima also paid tribute to Chief Clark’s legacy, recalling his relentless advocacy for restructuring—an effort that frequently put him at odds with different administrations but earned him respect across political lines.
“Chief Clark embodied the resilient spirit of the Niger Delta—unbowed and unwavering in his pursuit of justice. He consistently demonstrated that true leadership flows from unwavering principle rather than political expediency,” Shettima said.
The Vice President emphasized that the Niger Delta had lost one of its most passionate defenders, the Ijaw nation its most prominent figure, and Nigeria a truth-teller whose contributions consistently steered the national conversation toward justice and inclusivity.
