The family of the Late Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, have announced that the final internment of the late elder statesman will be held on the 13th of May 2025.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the eldest son of the family, Mr Penaowei Clark, during a press briefing, where he stated that the programme of events will run from Wednesday the 7th of May, 2025, to Sunday, the 18th of May 2025.
The PUNCH reports that Chief Edwin Clark died at his Abuja residence on the 17th of February 2025 aged 97, after a brief illness.
Until his death, Chief Clark, who was one time Federal Commissioner for Information in 1975 was an advocate for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta regions, and also founded the Southern and Middle-Belt Forum
In his address, Mr Clark said the program of events was put together with the collective effort and partnership of the Delta State Government, the Federal Government, PANDEF, and community leaders ‘to honour and celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of my father, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark’.
‘Today we are gathered to announce the date and full programme of events for his (Chief Clark’s) funeral, which will run from Wednesday 7th May 2025 through Sunday 18th May 2025.
‘On Wednesday, 7th May 2025, Memorial Lecture and Tributes at NAF Conference Centre and Suite Abuja at 11 am. Thursday, 8th May 2025, Valedictory Session at Senate Chambers, National Assembly Complex in Abuja at 11 am. Saturday, 10th May 2025, Wrestling Contest in Yenagoa. Service of Songs at St. James’s Anglican Church at Asokoro, Abuja at 5 pm. Candlelight Memorial at 43 Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja, 7 pm-8 pm’, he said.
On Sunday, 11th May 2024, a Service of Songs will be held at the Royal House of Grace International Church, Port Harcourt, at 4 pm. On Monday, the 12th of May 2025, a Commendation Service will be held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, at 8 am, while a Simultaneous Valedictory Court Session will be held at the High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State, at 10 am.
‘Following this, my father will depart Abuja for Yenagoa and Warri with lying in state and commendation services at key locations, Ijaw House at Yenagoa, 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm; Warri lying in state from 6.30 pm to 7 pm at No. 5 Swamp Road, GRA. The body will then proceed to Kiagola Town, Delta State.
‘Tuesday 13th May 2025, lying in state in Edwin Clark University in Kiagbodo, 10 am to 10.30 am. Commendation Service, 10.30 am to 11 am. Funeral Service, St Peter’s Anglican Church in Kiagola, 11 am. Reception and internment, 1 pm onward. All night vigil from 5 pm’z he added.
Mr Clark also disclosed that there will be a novelty match between Team Clark (Izon, Urhobo and Itsekiri) and the Rest of Nigeria on Saturday 17th May, 2025, at the Mein Grammar School Field in Kiagbodo, and the programme will culminate in a Thanksgiving Service on the 18th of May.
He thanked friends and well-wishers of the family for their support since the passing of his father, whom he described as ‘a relentless advocate for justice, equity, and unity of Nigeria’, who had left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
‘We are humbled by the immense support, prayers, and tributes we have received since the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, OFR, who peacefully passed away on the 17th of February 2025, dedicating his nearly century-long life to the service of Nigeria.
His contributions as a visionary leader, founding father of PANDEF, a founding father of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, (1:07) and a relentless advocate for justice, equity, and unity of Nigeria, have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history’, he said.
