THE Senate, on Thursday, paid glowing tributes to the late leader of the Ijaw Nation, Chief Edwin Clark, and called on the Federal Government to name a National Monument in his honour.
The resolutions of the Senate followed a motion for a valedictory session in honour of Clark, presented by the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.
Bamidele moved that Order 12 of the Senate Standing Orders be suspended to allow visitors into the chambers, a motion seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Kamorudeen Olalere.
The family of Chief Clark, led by Prof. C. Clark, attended the session, accompanied by notable dignitaries.
They included Sen. James Manager, former Chairman of the NDDC, Sen. Bassey Henshaw, Sen. Florence Ita Giwa, and President of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Godknows Igali.
In his tribute, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, praised the late elder statesman for his monumental contributions to Nigeria’s political, social, and educational development.
He described Clark as “a lion in Nigeria’s political forest, a sentinel of justice, and a patriarch of uncommon courage.”
Akpabio noted that Clark was a man who “did not bow to the tides of fear or fashion” and stood firm when it was easier to bend, always speaking out when silence could have shielded him.
“He loved Nigeria, not for what she was, but for what she could become,” Akpabio said.
Senate Leader, Bamidele, also hailed Clark as a nationalist, lawyer, philanthropist, and a strong advocate for the Niger Delta’s rights.
He highlighted Clark’s establishment of the Edwin Clark Foundation and a University of Technology in his hometown, aimed at advancing education in Nigeria.
Bamidele also acknowledged Clark’s mediation efforts in uniting warring communities in the Niger Delta.
He noted that his absence would be profoundly felt due to his wise counsel on contentious national matters.
“It is our solemn prayer that God grants him eternal repose and comforts his family as we mourn the loss of this great man of honour and an Elder Statesman par excellence,” Bamidele said.
“Finally, it is my humble request that Pa Edwin Clark is immortalised by the Federal Government, by naming a major national monument after him.
“For his indelible and undeniable contribution to the sustenance of democracy and the development and unity of this country”
