Elder statesmen and eminent Nigerians will on May Day, this Thursday, converge on Lagos State to reflect on the life and times of late elder statesman and Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
Clark, a former federal commissioner of information in the First Republic, died in February aged 97.
Some of the dignitaries expected to attend the event are former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former chairman of the Commonwealth and leader of the Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a statement from the organising committee of the event signed by, Mrs Baroong Tony Uranta, stated.
“Ahead of the scheduled Obsequies for late Niger Delta Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, who passed on in February at 97 years, Associates, Friends and Relatives of the late Elderstatesman will be holding a major tribute and prayer ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, 1st of May, 2025 (May Day) to celebrate the life, times and legacies of the late Nonagenarian
“The event, being put together at the instance of Clark’s Widow, Dr (Mrs) Abisola Shodipo-Clark, in collaboration with associates of the Niger Delta Leader, is in recognition of the huge network of friends and associates of the former federal Commissioner of Information and second Republic Senator, who served the country from Lagos in the 70s and 80s respectively
“The event expected to host Eminent Nigerians, Statesmen and women, including Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities and the Civil Society from across Nigeria will hold at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja from 2pm on Thursday, 1st May, 2025.
“A short Tribute lecture on True “Federalism and Resource Control in Nigeria will be delivered on behalf of The Patriots by Prince Fafaa Dan-Princewill, JD, a Lawyer, businessman and experienced political Activist from Rivers State, while Songs of Praise and Prayers will be conducted by The Trinity House led by a renowned Christian Leader in Nigeria, Itua Ighodalo.”
Besides Gen Gowon, Obasanjo and Wife, Leader of the Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali, Acting Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, General Ike Nwachuckwu, Obong Victor Attah, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu.
Others are Sir (Dr) Kensington Adebutu, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, Chief (Mrs) Maiden Ibru, Chief Goodie Ibru, Chief Wale Babalakin, Governors of the six Southwest States, Key Traditional Rulers in the Southwest and prominent Niger Delta Leaders and Groups in Southwest, among others.
Some members of Organising Committee of the event include; Senator. Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, Chief Paxy Alakeme, High Chief John Odeyemi, Mrs Barong Uranta, Mr Olumide Ajayi and Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, among others, while Dr Abisola Shodipo Clark, Widow of late Chief Edwin Clark is the Chief Host of the Ceremony.
