‘Brutally Frank: Eulogies as Dignitaries Fete Edwin Clark at Lagos Book Launch. By Olawale Lamina

 

From the elder statesman and leader of Pro-National Conference, NADECO, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Professor Pat Utomi, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor and a host of others, it was a profusion of praise and admiration of the lifesyle of the autobiography launcher and formost Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark as all gathered to celebrate his worthy legacies.

Speaking at the occasion held in Lagos State on Tuesday, Nonegerian and NADECO chieftain, Pa Ayo Adebanjo recalled the worthy contributions of Pa Edwin Clark to the 2014 National Conference, towards achieving the restructuring of the country.

Adebanjo described Clark as a nationalist of no mean feat and regretted that the country is yet to implement the submissions of Nigerians towards changing the constitution. He warned that, ” Until Nigeria changes the present constitution, the country is going no where.”

In his remark, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi urged the formost Ijaw leader to continue to mentor those working in his footsteps to actualize a desired nation.

Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi also described Clark as an epitome knowledge who struggled through difficult situations in the country. He disclosed that the nationalists in the country want Nigerians to stick together, adding that, “we don’t want anyone to disunite us.

He also noted that despite the challenges posed by the stance of some forces in the north, there were nationalists among the northerners who believed in equality among Nigerians of different persuasions.

According to the former ambassador, the former administration of General Yakubu Gowon succeded based on the contributions of worthy Nigerians like Edwin Clark.

On his own part, Professor Pat Utomi, in his brief remarks said that the country remained the same because of the palpable silence by the elders, among which Pa Edwin Clark took exception.

Utomi called on Pa Clark to continue to be brutally frank according to the title of his autobiography.

Also, the former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor said Edwin Clark was among few Nigerians who led the vanguard of the nation’s restructure in an effort to have a better Nigeria. She said that, “You have been a hero, you have actually led the way.”

The former Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who is a son of the Niger Delta, referred to Pa Edwin Clark as a national icon, descibing him further as a great Nigerian of possibilities.

According to him , Clark brought a militant intellectual spirit to the Nigerian struggle. “He is more of a Nigerian leader than an Ijaw leader who fought the Nigerian cause.”

Dakuku pledged to be among the Nigerian youths who would carry on with the national struggle.

In similar vein, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, purchased an undisclosed number if the published autobiography for distribution in higer institutions in the Niger Delta.

He recalled that Pa Clark was his family friend whose path and that of his father’s crossed as they both served under Ugbemudia in the Old Bendel dispensation. He extolled the virtues of the elder statesman and wished him success in the journey ahead

Pa Edwin Clark, during his address via the zoom said that he maintained a moderate lifestyle and never pursued an extravagant living.

He added that he was out to ensure equality among Nigerians while condenming those who took it upon themselves to dominate other Nigerians.