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Tag: Edwin Clark

  • Edwin Clark: Celebrating Nigeria’s encyclopedia of political anatomy @93

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    It was in November 2007 that I met Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at the Denis Osadebey Government House in Benin City for the first time as a career journalist.

    The news just filtered in that the voice of the South South was in government house to visit the then governor of the State, Senator Oserheimhen Osunbor.

    We all the then media aides to Governor Osunbor were in a meeting but had to cut the meeting short to see this enigma of a man.

    I had always read of him from my primary school days so I had the impression I was going to meet an old man clutching a walking stick.

    But to my greatest surprise I met a man standing straighter than us that were still in our late thirties and early forties.

    I was forced to ask Dr Tony Ikpasaja then SA Media and Publicity to Osunbor could this be EK Clark? He affirmed it.

    As if the former Federal Information Commissioner of the then Yakubu Gowon military administration read my lips.

    He asked me to just hazard a guess about his age and I said 60 sir and they all laughed.

    Chief Clark looked at me and he said I am 80years old to me it was difficult to believe.

    Thereafter the man gave us a brief lecture about the Niger Delta struggle before he was ushered in to see Gov Osunbor.

    Spotting a grey safari jacket no visible reading glasses in his breast pocket that afternoon jolted me that a man this age was looking 30years younger than his age was definitely the handiwork of God.

    Again, in 2015 I had the opportunity of accompanying Hon Ndudi Elumelu a guber aspirant then eyeing Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s job to his house in Abuja.

    As a Vanguard correspondent I was among the few journalists that sat with him to break the traditional kola.

    Chief Clark again dazzled me as he recalled virtually all Elumelu’s siblings, his mother and facts about his family.

    His memory for once was never faltered before he delved into Delta politics and Niger Delta at large.

    This politician of so many years experience told the gathering that his state, Delta has established a faultless rotational system without rancour.
    This is the position we have taken and it shall remain so unlike some other states in the Niger Delta where power is domiciled in just one zone.

    Today, like other Nigerians, Niger Deltans, the Ijaw nation corporate bodies,and other nationalities, we in ThenewsGuru.com, TNG, join to celebrate the encyclopedia of Nigeria’s political anatomy, a trail Blazer in his chosen legal profession, the voice of the South South, a patriot of many parts, an advocate of equity, justice and fairness as he marks 93years on planet Earth.

    We wish him more fruitful years of political activism laced with good health.

  • Okowa, Ijaw forum, others celebrate Edwin Clark at 93

    Okowa, Ijaw forum, others celebrate Edwin Clark at 93

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Lagos State chapter of Ijaw Elders’ Forum (IEF) have hailed foremost Niger Delta and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, for his contributions to the development of the country.

    Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, turns 93 today.

    In a statement on Sunday in Asaba, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor described the nonagenarian as “a fearless and patriotic leader” who cares for the interests of his people and the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

    “In the past 93 years of a life of outstanding accomplishments and great personal fulfilment, you have not only served our nation at different levels but with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication, to its peace and unity,” he said.

    In a joint statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Chief Bukazi Etete and Pastor Efiye Bribena, the IEF lauded Clark’s contributions to peace and unity of the country.

    Also, a former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Gbagi, described Chief Clark as a nationalist and an elder-statesman committed to the unity of Nigerian.

    In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Gbagi recalled that Clark, while serving as Minister of Information under Yakubu Gowon’s administration in 1975, spearheaded the drive to create the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to other countries in the West African region.

    “Without mincing words, he is a blessing to our nation, given his immense contributions as a nationalist and elder-statesman towards ensuring the unity of Nigeria,” he said.

  • Edwin Clark mourns younger brother

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has described the death of his younger brother, Major-Gen. Henry Clark (rtd), as devastating, shocking and heart breaking, especially for the very fact that the late brother was not sick.

    The late Clark reportedly died peacefully on Tuesday, two days to his 71st birthday at his Enerhen home, near Warri.

    He was a former Military Secretary (Nigerian Army), a one-time Registrar of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and until his death, was Chairman, GenClark Marine Limited.

    The senior Clark said the death of his younger sibling is a big loss to the family.

    Also, Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the news of his death came as a shock.

    Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred army officer, Gen. Henry Clark, who reportedly died peacefully on Tuesday.

    The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, people of Kiagbodo, the entire Ijaw nation and the Nigerian Army on the passing of the elder statesman and top-notch army general.

    Gen. Clark had an illustrious military career and served the nation with all his heart, with full dedication and commitment to duty and was reputed to have established the elite corps of paratroopers in the Nigerian Army.”

    The Middle Belt Forum led by former Military Governor of Plateau State, Commodore. Dan Suleiman, the Forum’s President, Bitrus Porgu, former governor of Kwara State, Cornelius Adebayo; former Minister of Aviation, Alabo Graham Douglas; former Minister of Education, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike and Amb. Godknows Igali, among others, have paid condolence visit to the elder statesman.

  • Edwin Clark loses 43-year-old son

    Chike, son of the convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, has reportedly died at the private hospital in Benin, Edo State.

    It was gathered that Chike, 43, died after a brief illness. He reportedly died on Monday December 17th, 2018 at the Edo State capital.

    According to a close family source, the deceased was the sixth son and eighth child of the Ijaw national leader.

    The family confirmed this in a statement signed by Dorothy Charles-Koko, and made available to newsmen on Friday.

    The statement reads, “With deep regrets, we announce the death of Mr. Chike Clark, whose demise took place at a private hospital in Benin, Ihenyen Medical Centre, Benin City, on Monday, 17th December, 2018, after a brief illness.

    “Mr. Chike Clark, one of the sons of National Leader and elder statesman, Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, was, until his death, a business man.

    “He was aged 43 years and is survived by his aged father, wife and three children.”

     

  • 2019: Dickson, Clark raise alarm, say security agencies now extension of APC

    Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, and the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, have raised the alarm over the increasing abuse of security agencies by the ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress, and the Federal Government.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Governor Dickson and the Elder Statesman as raising the concern when Pa Clark paid him a condolence visit on the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson, in Abuja, on Friday.

    The governor said Nigerians were deeply worried about the conduct of the security agencies across in the country.

    According to him, the security agencies were disturbingly metamorphosing into an extension of the ruling party, the APC, ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Governor Dickson condemned the recent assassination attempt on the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, and the police invasion of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

    He described the action of the police authorities, who sealed off the House òf Assembly, as an assault on the democratic order, which he said should not be encouraged.

    Dickson stated further that the recent posting of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa State within a shockingly short period of three months only showed a sinister plot to destabilize the peace, security and stability of the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He called on the relevant authorities and the security agencies to conduct themselves in a way that would promote the nation’s democracy rather than putting it in jeopardy.

    “We are all concerned about the conduct of security agencies ahead of the 2019 general elections. In fact, all lovers of Nigeria and democracy are concerned about the conduct of the security agencies.

    “The agencies have become an extension of the ruling party, which should not be. The abuse of the security forces constitute a threat to the security, democracy and stability of the country.

    “I condemn the recent assassination attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu. It is totally reprehensible.

    “I also condemn the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State House òf Assembly. It was a desecration of the democratic order.

    “In Bayelsa, we have had no fewer than eight police commissioners in the last three months. It won’t take you long to know that there is a sinister game going on to destabilize and create instability in the state that we have worked so hard to stabilize. We urge the security agencies to conduct themselves in a way that would stabilize democracy.

    “The greatest challenge we have ahead of the 2019 election is the conduct of the security agencies. That is the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians.
    Politicians and people in government need to know that there is a country to govern after elections.

    “Let us not in the quest for election, destroy these critical agencies of state and the career and reputation of these officials. When you politicize these agencies, you threaten the careers of these people who are professionals in their own right,” Governor Dickson said.

    Governor Dickson warned against subjecting control of security agencies to non-state actors in the country.

    Speaking also, Pa E.K Clark condemned the erratic transfer of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa State in three months.

    He said that he was not surprised at the conduct of the police as they recently invaded his house in Abuja even at his age of 91 in a purported search for arms.

    He cautioned a former governor of Bayelsa, who is a Chieftain òf the APC, who he accused of being behind the instigation of the politics in police postings to the state to stop making himself a laughing stock.

  • Buhari on rule of law: Buhari now rewriting constitution – Edwin Clark

    Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has condemned a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that his administration would continue to place national security and interests above the rule of law.

    Buhari made the comment at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday.

    Clark while speaking at the second Summit of Nigerian Elders and Leaders on ‘the State of Democracy, the Economy and National Security’ in Abuja, described Buhari’s statement as “an attempt to rewrite the constitution and a calculated assault on constitutional governance, the rule of law and democracy.”

    The Ijaw leader vowed to continue to oppose the President on issues that were against the rule of law, insisting that he should withdraw his statement.

    Clark said, “He (Buhari) is now rewriting the constitution; I think we have to remind our President that he did not stage a coup to become the president and he should know that we are guided by the law.

    “Buhari is taking steps each day to silence the opposition. We will not accept this impunity. We must take serious steps to let Buhari know that he is taking the wrong steps.

    “I want to reassure you that no one can intimidate us from discussing the progress of this country. At 91, I am old and I do not need anything from anybody. So we will be free to speak our minds, provided it is in the interest of this country.”

  • Why Buhari should sack Sports Minister, Dalung – Edwin Clark

    Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, for allegedly discrediting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for recognising Amaju Pinnick-led Board of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

    The elder statesman, who made the call in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said reports of “disloyalty and parochial utterances” credited to Dalung in various media reports were embarrassing.

    He further said there was no sense in the minister of sports discrediting a laudable action that saved Nigeria from ban by the world football governing body, FIFA.

    “This was an action taken by the Acting President at a very critical stage of our football history to avert FIFA’s ban on Nigeria.

    “Osibanjo restored to the global platform of honour, an action commended by all and sundry, locally and internationally.

    “If this action was not taken by the Acting President at the time he did, it will have been a disgrace and a setback for Nigerian football.

    “But here is Mr Dalung, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, who unfortunately, thinks and behaves differently,’’ he said.

    Clark added that the action of the vice president called for commendation and not condemnation.

    “Instead of rejoicing and towing the line of the government under which he is serving, he has unfortunately showed total disrespect and disloyalty for the Acting President and the government in his open show of ignorance and incompetence,’’ he said.

    Clark quoted Dalung as saying, “as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who took oath of office to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will prefer to stand with the Rule of Law, instead of the opinion of men.

    “We are a constitutional democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers is the foundation of democratic experience.

    “Therefore, the Rule of Law is the only mechanism that guarantees liberty and freedom of citizens.

    “This administration is elected on the change mantra, meaning that impunity has no accommodation anywhere.

    “So, Nigerians must learn to believe and practice the doctrine of the Rule of Law. I believe we shall overcome this if we remain within the confines and dictates of the laws of our country.’’

    Clark noted that the decision taken by Osibanjo was well informed, noting that he is a Professor of Law, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos State.

    He stressed that Osibanjo had for decades, taken the oath of Office to defend the same Constitution and the Rule of Law.

    “I also swore to the same oath when I qualified as a lawyer 53 years ago. What is the minister talking about defending the constitution and obeying the rule of law?

    “After reading what the Honourable Minister says, one is left to wonder in whose interest he is serving, because it is obviously not in the interest of government and the Nigerian people.

    “He never showed any concern whether Nigeria was banned by FIFA or not, except his own interest.

    “For instance, the minister knows that Mr Chris Giwa had been banned for five years by FIFA, yet, he put him on the list of a 15-man delegation to FIFA in Switzerland.

    “Another clear case is when Mr President directed the Department of State Services (DSS), to flush out Mr Chris Giwa and his subordinates from the Glass House, Dalung was not only believed to have encouraged Giwa’s return.

    “He is reported to have facilitated the resurrection of the leadership feud within the NFF, which undermines the great successes of the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF on the nation’s towering football engagements,’’ he said.

    According to Clark, in the overall interest of the future of football, and for Nigeria to maintain its position as the largest country in Africa, the Ministry of Sports is not the place for the likes of Dalung.

    He noted that given Nigeria’s present status, disloyalty, indiscipline, arrogance and mediocrity should not be condoned in any area of public service.

    “The legal profession which I have cherished and belong to investigate all my adult life cannot be ridiculed by certain persons who are bereft of character and honour required of public officers.

    “One should expect that the minister should strive to see how permanent peace will be restored to Nigerian Football administration, particularly now that he has set up a reconciliation committee.

    “He should not be personifying the disagreement within the NFF, but seek out of court settlement in Jos High Court, where the Supreme Court referred the matter to.

    “The Supreme Court did not give any definite judgment in favour of anybody and therefore, it was very improper of the minister to drag in the Supreme Court in his offensive statement.

    “It must be emphasised that, the unity of Nigeria is very paramount, and football is one of the contributory factors to this unity,’’ he said.

    Clark said, “as an elder statesman of 91, an incurable football enthusiast, and having remained so since my youth, and my days as a student in England, I was a strong supporter of Manchester United, until I returned to Nigeria in 1965.

    “I continued to show my interest in football and other sporting activities from primary to secondary school levels when I was appointed Commissioner for Education in the old Midwest State.

    “Then, football and other sporting activities were domiciled in the Youth Directorate which was directly under my supervision as Commissioner for Education.

    “It was our policy then to develop football and other sporting activities and our footballers and athletes excelled in all competitions.

    “In order to develop sporting activities, therefore, the School of Physical Education was established at Afuze, now Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education, Afuze in the then Owan Division, now Owan Local Government Area of Edo.

    “This is what I expected a Sports Minister who knows his onions to concentrate on.”

  • Edwin Clark condemns Rivers by-election violence, wants severe punishment for electoral offenders

    A former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on Wednesday called for severe sanctions for perpetrators of electoral offences in the country.

    Clark made the call in a telephone interview with a political correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the suspension of Saturday’s by-election in Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) owing to widespread violence.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, who announced the suspension, said that INEC also stopped the election owing to high cases of ballot snatching and attacks on its officials.

    NAN reports that the election was meant to fill the Port Harcourt Constituency 3 state assembly seat left by Mr Victor Ihunwo, now the Chairman, Port Harcourt Local Government.

    Clark, while condemning the violence, said the the situation was a recurring feature of elections in the country.

    He said there was a compelling need for government to come hard on electoral offenders, as they were a dent on the country’s democracy.

    “You see, what happened in Rivers has been going on in many places; and people perpetrate violence in elections and we have it over and over because there are no sanctions.

    “That is why Uwais report suggested that there should be special courts so that anybody who misbehaves during elections is arrested and dealt with.

    “We are yet to have that. But I learnt there is a bill on that at the National Assembly, and I believe once this bill is passed into law, it would reduce cases of violence in elections.

    “I mean when you send people to 10 years imprisonment for perpetrating violence in elections, they will not repeat it again and others will learn.

    “Severe punishment for offenders. That is what I believe will end the cycle of election violence in the country,” he said.

    Clark said the heavy security deployed during elections would have been needless if people obeyed electoral laws.

    The elder statesman said the high security vote for the 2019 elections by INEC could be better used for infrastructure, if violence was not part of elections.

    Clark urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all relevant laws to check electoral offences are ready ahead of 2019, to ensure the elections are free and fair.

     

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s agitations for Biafra is nonsense – Edwin Clark

    …condemns Arewa quit notice on Igbos

    Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark on Tuesday condemned the agitations for Biafra nation led by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    Clark spoke on the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Shehu Sani, visited him in Abuja.

    He also condemned the quit notice by the Arewa Group to the Igbo living in the North, saying it was worrisome.

    He warned that secession or agitation was not the way to go on restructuring the country, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said: “When Kanu talks about Biafra, he is talking nonsense. We do not want a second war.

    “America fought their civil war for a long time and they are not thinking of a second one. Kanu should drop the agitation.

    “At the same time, it is arrogant and foolish on the part of some Northern youths to issue quit notice. You do not own the North. It is part of Nigeria and anybody can live there.

    “The Igbo have been living in the North for over 100 years.”

    The elder statesman emphasised the need for restructuring for equity and balance in the country.

    He explained that though the call for restructuring had been loud in recent times, the country had been undergoing restructuring.

    “We have been living together since 1914 and from time to time, we have been changing the way of our lives.

    “In 1947, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe said the Richard Constitution was obnoxious; that it was anti-people. In 1950, we had the Macpherson Constitution, which created the three regions and in 1963, we had another constitution.

    “During all these constitutions, the issue of the fiscal federation was very prominent. So, we have been restructuring this country and nobody talked about breaking up the country.

    “The war between 1967 and 1970 was an unfortunate one.”

    Clark said making necessary changes to allow for social justice was the way to go and urged the National Assembly to re-visit the issue of devolution of power upon resumption from recess, saying it was one of the ways to properly restructure the country.

    According to him, the vote against devolution of power by the national assembly was borne out of the fear that it would whittle down the powers of legislators.

    “We have reached a stage where states are not paying salaries and something has to be done to gear their minds to see what they can do in their own area to generate money.

    “I am happy you believe in restructuring, which can be achieved within a short time but it may take up to 20 years if we do not agree among ourselves.

    “So, once more I want to say that when you resume, the issue of devolution of power should be re-visited so that Federal Government will deal with foreign affairs, prisons, customs and a few other things.

    On call to return to regionalism, Clark said “you cannot abolish the states now and say you want six regions. It is not going to be easy or possible now.

    “I feel we should use the same states as federating units and the local governments should remain with the states.”

    He called for the establishment of Revenue Mobilisation Commission to deal with funds that move between states and local governments to sustain them.

    Clark promised to convene a meeting of elder statesmen across the country to find a lasting solution to the problem of restructuring.

    Reacting, Sani said one of the reasons the devolution of power did not scale through in the National Assembly was the fear that state governments might abuse their powers.

    He said: “The problem we have with the devolution of power is how to tackle some of the problems that come with it.

    “For example, the present crop of governors might not be able to handle state police in a manner that people who disagree with them can be safe.

    “Secondly, the manner in which elections are conducted by state independent electoral commissions where the ruling party in the state wins all positions is worrisome.

    “So, if we devolve the police, we have to allay the fears of people on the implications. Those who are championing some of these issues need to make clarifications.”

    On derivation and resource control, the lawmaker said it was in the best interest of the country to stop thinking about oil because it was becoming non-attractive globally.

    Sani described the quit notice as “embarrassing”.

  • Niger Delta elders withdraw ultimatum to FG after meeting with Osinbajo

    Niger Delta elders withdraw ultimatum to FG after meeting with Osinbajo

    Leaders of the Niger Delta region under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), on Thursday night withdrew the November 1 ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement its 16-point agenda.

    Briefing journalists after the meeting with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu said all the contentious issues were resolved.

    According to him, “Several issues were discussed issues relating to University at Okerenkeko, issues related to development in Niger Delta generally, issues related to the amnesty program and how well it is working, issues related to NDDC operations in Niger Delta.

    “It was very exhaustive, we looked at the 16 point agenda how far we have gone.

    “Today was environment of peace, calm friendliness and mutual dialoguing of issues so that they will understand where we are coming from and some of the most pressing concerns that they have.

    “Obviously PANDEF as a very responsible organisation always alerts us where there is an alarm bell that is going on. I think I see the ultimatum more in terms of an alarm bell. The small urgency that is required to do certain things. It is not an alarm in the sense of we are going to pull off the top relationship.

    “They did, in fact, placed their loyalty and their willingness to work with us to find solutions to the problems and the Acting President took notes of them.

    “It wasn’t an ultimatum it was a warning for the needs of urgency. The alarm is that we need to hurry up with a lot of problems, people are frustrated, people are tired. People want to see positive action in all the problems.

    “They probably think that we are not fast as we should be.”