The chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANEF), Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, has joined the growing list of prominent Nigerians to pay tribute in memory of Chief Edwin Clark, the national leader of the Forum, who passed away on Monday, February, 17,2025.
Describing the late nationalist as a freedom fighter for the cause of Niger Delta and national developments, who could not shy away from speaking truth to power no matter whose ox is gored, Senator Essien said his wise counsels would be sorely missed.
Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the PANDEF chief recalled many of his interventions to address the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing the Niger Delta region, saying such bold records would remain evergreen in the anal of history.
He said: “We mourn the demise of our leader, this is very shocking to us because he was still very strong. It surprising that he has given up.
“It’s an unfortunate incident; we have lost a great Nigerian, a philanthropist, a man who was bold to say it as it is, a defender of Niger Delta people.
“We are not happy, but only God knows the best, and there’s nothing we can do. God had been graceful to him for 97 years, and we wish he would have stayed longer to continue to serve us, may his soul rest in peace.”
