Former Federal Commissioner for Information and elder statesman, Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has passed away at the age of 97. His family confirmed his death in a statement, announcing that he died on Monday night, February 17, 2025.
“The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on Monday 17th February 2025,” the statement read.
Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of present-day Delta State, Clark had a distinguished career in public service. He attended schools in Effurun, Okrika, and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, now Delta State University, Abraka. After a brief stint as a school teacher, he traveled abroad to obtain a law degree.
Clark played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s governance, serving as an adviser to military governor David Ejoor of the Mid-Western Region in 1966. He later worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and Nigeria’s head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, from 1966 to 1975. In 1975, he was appointed Federal Commissioner for Information.
Beyond his government service, Clark remained a key voice in the Niger Delta, championing the interests of the region. As the chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), he was a relentless advocate for resource control and the rights of the Niger Delta people.
His passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in the South-South region.
