Renowned scholar and former federal lawmaker, Professor Steve Azaiki, delivered a stirring keynote on Sunday at a Special Service of Songs and Night of Tribute held in honour of Niger Delta statesman, Chief (Sen.) Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CFR, CON.
Speaking at the event organized by the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum at the Royal House of Grace International Church, Port Harcourt, Azaiki described the late elder statesman as “a national conscience” whose 97-year life embodied “service, courage, and sacrifice.”
In his keynote titled “The Man E.K. Clark: A Life of Service, Courage & Sacrifice,” Azaiki traced the Ijaw leader’s journey from humble beginnings as a teacher to becoming a revered nationalist, legal luminary, and fearless advocate for true federalism and justice in Nigeria.
“Pa Clark stood at the confluence of resistance, reform, and reason. He was vir fortis—truly a man of courage—and sui generis in every sense,” Azaiki declared.
He called on political parties to make true federalism a central issue in the 2027 elections and urged that the South-South Development Commission headquarters be named in Clark’s honour. Azaiki also proposed an annual memorial lecture series to preserve Clark’s legacy of nation-building.
The evening drew leaders, clerics, and dignitaries from across the country to celebrate a man many hailed as the moral compass of Nigeria.
Full keynote address follows:
The Man E.K. Clark: A Life of Service, Courage & Sacrifice
A Keynote Address Delivered at the Rivers Elders & Leadership Forum Special Service of Songs & Night of Tribute in Honour of Chief (Sen.) Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Esq., CFR, CON Held on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at the Royal House of Grace International Church, 13, Graceland Avenue, Tombia Extension, GRA, Port Harcourt by Prof. Steve Azaiki, PhD., DSc., OON
PROTOCOL
Introduction
May I start by confessing that I am at a loss as to what to say and what to keep back, as my countless engagements with the national colossus we have all gathered to honor today, Chief, Dr., Barrister, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, were all-round enriching.
We are here to honor the memory of a man born ordinary but who left us as an extraordinary leader with indelible legacies. The journey started some 97 years ago, but the impact, I believe, will resonate for generations. It brings to mind the lines of that timeless hymn by Horatius Bonar: “Fading away like the stars of the morning… Only remembered by what we have done.”
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, it is therefore my distinct honor to present today’s keynote: “The Man E.K. Clark: A Life of Service, Courage & Sacrifice.”
In these moments, we’ll trace his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to national eminence, draw profound lessons from his unwavering commitment to our national cause, and crucially, prepare ourselves to make the 2027 polls a decisive mandate for the true federalism he so passionately championed.
I. Early Life & Formative Service
Born in Kiagbodo, in what is now Delta State, in 1927, Edwin Kiagbodo Clark began his professional life as a humble schoolteacher. His thirst for knowledge and dedication to empowerment led him to pursue and earn a law degree abroad, equipping him further for the significant roles he was destined to play.
His entry into public life was marked by an early commitment to grassroots service, evidenced when he took up the position of Councillor for Bomadi in 1953. This foundational experience undoubtedly shaped his understanding of the direct impact governance has on the lives of ordinary people.
To truly appreciate Pa E.K. Clark’s stature, one must place him alongside other towering Niger Delta figures—freedom fighters like Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, King Jaja of Opobo, and Chief Harold Dappa Biriye; and intellectual giants such as Ernest Ikoli, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nabo Graham-Douglas, Obi Wali, and Claude Ake. Like them, he stood firmly at the confluence of resistance, reform, and reason. Indeed Pa Clark was a man of courage (vir fortis), and in every sense of the word unique (sui generis).
At the critical juncture of the 1966 constitutional conference, a time of immense national strain, Pa Clark stood firmly against proposals for a loose confederation. His voice was unequivocal, insisting on the imperative of a united and indivisible Nigeria, laying an early marker for his nationalistic outlook.
Later, as the Commissioner of Education for the then Midwestern Region from 1966 to 1975, his visionary leadership was instrumental in spearheading the founding of the University of Benin. This was a monumental step in advancing regional capacity and providing educational opportunities, a testament to his belief in human capital development as a cornerstone of progress.
His early actions already painted the picture of a man dedicated to both his people and his nation.
II. A Voice for True Federalism
Chief E. K. Clark understood deeply that true federalism was not merely a political slogan but the bedrock of a just and prosperous Nigeria. In 2017, as the revered leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), he passionately articulated this vision, calling for states’ fiscal autonomy and resource control. His words then still resonate: “We will continue to demand true federalism—where states manage their God-given resources.”
I recall vividly, and with a sense of historical significance, when in 2005, while I was serving as the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, I suggested to my Governor at the time, the late Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha, the pressing need for a united South-South front ahead of the national political reform conference. Governor Alamieyeseigha graciously accepted the invitation to host a pre-confab summit in Yenagoa. We believed that the region needed to articulate her positions cohesively and build a critical negotiating bloc. This summit was designed to prepare the delegates from the South-South region for the broader conference in Abuja. At that pivotal Yenagoa meeting, the question of leadership arose, and both Governor Alamieyeseigha and I marveled at the unanimous nomination and enthusiastic acceptance of Chief Dr. Edwin Clark as the leader of the South-South delegates to the Abuja conference.
At the National Conference itself, Chief E. K. Clark demonstrated leadership in every conceivable sense. He commanded massive respect and fostered cooperation from other national leaders. He was remarkably articulate, unyieldingly bold, and refreshingly candid.
II. Challenging Federal Authorities
Pa Clark never shied away from speaking truth to power, regardless of who occupied the seat of authority. In 2021, he directly urged then-President Buhari to implement the ruling APC’s own committee report on restructuring, lamenting how delays in doing so only served to deepen inequity and frustration across the nation.
He consistently emphasized that the comprehensive recommendations from the 2014 National Confab on restructuring remained the most viable blueprint for achieving lasting peace, unity, and sustainable progress in Nigeria. He understood that addressing the structural imbalances was key to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.
Chief E. K. Clark had served Nigeria for over half a century and so, understood the complex issues of our nation with unparalleled clarity. He was exceptionally intelligent and, as a result, attracted friends, allies, and admirers from all parts of the country. He knew his roots intimately, fiercely protected the interests of his region, and profoundly loved his country.
III. Service, Courage & Sacrifice
Pa Edwin Clark was, unequivocally, a voice for the voiceless, a dedicated freedom fighter, and a relentless advocate for justice and fair play. He spoke truth to power in a manner that few could, consistently defending marginalized communities—be it the Ijaw nation, the often-neglected Niger Delta youths, or indeed, all those across Nigeria whose cries for equity went unheard.
READ ALSO: PANDEF Mourns Edwin Clark, Says ‘Mighty Iroko Has Fallen’
He was forged from the same moral steel as the Nelson Mandelas of this world. His Ijaw kinsmen proudly refer to him as their leader, but he was a great nationalist from the Niger Delta. Like all other zealots for justice, Pa Edwin Clark always stood for and with the people. He embodied a rare combination of moral clarity with astute strategic coalition-building, reaching across ethnic, religious, and political divides to forge common ground for the common good.
A true mark of his selflessness was his commitment to building enduring institutions rather than seeking personal acclaim. The establishment of Edwin Clark University in 2015 and his foundational role in PANDEF in 2016 stand as lasting platforms for regional development and empowerment, testaments to his vision of sacrifice over self-interest. He did live true to the tenets of the fabled Latin saying “non sibi, sed aliis” (not for self but for others)
His decades of distinguished public service—from ministerial posts to his revered position as an elder statesman—were always grounded in unwavering principle, not the pursuit of patronage or personal enrichment. He taught us, not just in words but more powerfully through his deeds, that our personal interests should always align with, and indeed be subservient to, the interests of the people.
These are values desperately needed in our national life today.
IV. 2027: A Referendum on True Federalism
As we look towards the future, Nigeria faces heightened and increasingly urgent calls for resource control, the establishment of state police, and a more equitable distribution of power and opportunities. These are precisely the tenets of the true federalism that Pa E.K. Clark championed throughout his life.
We have witnessed previous election cycles, notably in 2019 and 2023, where restructuring featured prominently in manifestos, yet meaningful implementation has largely stagnated. The upcoming 2027 general elections must represent a decisive break from this cycle of promise and inaction. The stakes are simply too high for complacency.
The responsibility to actualize this vision of a truly federal Nigeria now rests upon our shoulders.
Political Parties must move beyond rhetoric. They should adopt clear, unambiguous platforms on devolving power to the states, complete with concrete timelines for the necessary constitutional amendments.
Civil Society & Youth have a critical role. You must mobilize, educate, and drive voter awareness, ensuring that the demand for true federalism becomes the central, non-negotiable issue on the ballot.
Voters, ultimately, wield the ultimate leverage. Every citizen eligible to vote has the power to choose: to vote true federalism into effect, ushering in an era of empowered regions and equitable governance, or to tacitly endorse the maintenance of a centralized status quo that has, for too long, stifled our collective potential.
The choice, and the future, is in our hands.
Conclusion
As we honor Pa E.K. Clark’s monumental legacy today, let it be more than just an exercise in remembrance. Let us pledge, individually and collectively, that our own service, our courage in the face of adversity, and our willingness to sacrifice for the greater good will mirror his extraordinary example.
For all of us who knew him personally, we hold fond and cherished memories. For the Niger Delta, we mourn a father figure, a guide, and a protector. And for Nigeria, we have lost a national conscience, a moral compass.
It is our fervent prayer that the youths of this country can imbibe the remarkable traits and enduring virtues of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. And that our political class, across all divides, can find the strength to imitate his forthrightness, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to the people.
In 2027, let every ballot cast be a resounding clarion call for the Nigeria he envisioned and tirelessly worked for—a nation of empowered states, characterized by just governance, equitable resource distribution, and shared prosperity for all its citizens.
As we reflect on the life of this great father, teacher, and leader, we can only hope that his spirit inspires the emergence of many more like him. We sincerely thank God for his impactful life.
I respectfully call on the Federal Government to consider immortalizing Pa Clark by naming the newly established South-South Development Commission’s headquarters after him, as a lasting tribute to his tireless contributions to the development of the region.
I also urge the Ijaw National Congress, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government, to officially institute an annual memorial lecture in his honor—so that his ideals continue to educate, challenge, and uplift future generations.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church for graciously hosting this Special Service of Songs & Night of Tributes in their sacred worship center.
I also wish to thank the Rivers Elders & Leadership Forum for their wisdom and foresight in organizing this profound occasion to honor Pa Edwin Clark.
And to every distinguished guest present here today, I thank you most sincerely for your presence. Your attendance is a powerful testament to the legacy of a man who gave his all for his people, his region, and his country.
May God comfort the family he left behind, and we thank them for sharing this truly exceptional man with Nigeria and, indeed, with the world.