… We will remember his passion, love for Nigeria – Kukah
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the late Pa Edwin Clark as a man whose shoe is too big for him or anyone from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, to fill.
He stated this on Wednesday night when the group led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, paid the family of the elder statesman condolence visit in honour of Pa Clark, who passed away at the age of 97.
Various dignitaries present spoke passionately about Clark’s immense contributions to Nigeria and the profound impact he had on the Ijaw community and beyond.
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Jonathan: “A friend in Benue state called me and asked me to take over the leadership but I said the shoe he wore my feet are too tiny to fit in.
“He had the courage, boldness and could confront anybody even though he was from a minority group. He was not just a leader for Ijaw nationality, he was a leader for Nigeria.
“When he was a federal commissioner, I was in primary school, you cannot ask me to fit in his shoes.
“He spoke to presidents, he challenged them, he came out with fire and brime stone to challenge injustice”, he said.
Diri on his part said: “For us from his own ethnic nationality, Ijaw ethnic nationality, there are shoes that will difficult for anybody to fill. We all know the man, the character E. K Clark. His last book was brutality Frank, a man who tells you black is black and white is white. He gave leadership and for us it’s difficult to find who can step into those shoes. That is here we are now.”
He condoled with the immediate family saying: “Our message to the biological family is that we feel the pains they feel and we are sure he will be on the good side of the Lord. He died knowing God and so there’s nothing to fear.”
Diri assured that he will worked with his counterparts from Rivers and Delta State to give him a befitting burial.
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah said: “He meant a lot of things to different people. We will remember his passion and love for this country.
All we can pray is that Nigeria develops a greater sense of urgency in realizing the principles for which he lived and in which he died.”
Senator Seriake Dickson said: “We have lost an Iroko, father of fathers, mentor of mentors, his death has left a huge vacuum. Bayelsa must be kept safe for the Ijaw nation.”
