Clark’s exit: Management of Edwin Clark University speaks

• Otota of Olomu Kingdom Akpomudje describes Clark’s death as a colossal loss

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

The management and staff of Edwin Clark University have reacted to the demise of the chancellor and founder, High Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who died on Monday night at 97.

Daily Sun correspondent, who was at the institution in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area to seek reactions from the indigenes of the area, reports that the institution was in a sombre state, though students were not on campus.

A condolence register has been opened for visitors at the reception room before the chancellor’s office.

Vice Chancellor of the institution, Engr. Prof. Samuel Tita Wara, who spoke to our correspondent, described Chief Clark as a voice for the minority, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large.

Prof. Wara, who was flanked by the institution’s top management team, including the Registrar, Mr Daniel Urhibo; the Librarian, Dr Wisdom Anyim; the PRO, Mrs Elizabeth Opara; the Bursar, Chief Olori Magege; and others at the Senate chamber of the institution, said the university would miss him greatly.

“We got a phone call from the foundation, the council, and other family members that our father, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, being the forerunner of PANDEF, a well-known person in the Niger Delta, and a voice beyond the Niger Delta and Nigeria, sadly, at this time for us human beings, has gone to be with his maker.

“As a university and a people that have benefited from the largeness of our father’s benevolence, we pray that God grants all of us comfort in this loss. More specifically, we need grace and strength to ensure that his legacy stands forever in the times and seasons of present and future generations.

“So that when they also come, there would be history to the effect that there was once a man—not just in Kiagbodo, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria—but a man who cared about the less privileged.

“There was a man who gave his voice and credence to change the trajectory of destinies, especially that of young people. And as they say, charity begins at home, but his was not just at home.”

Chairman of the Parents Association of the institution, Chief Olori Magege, said, “A titan has fallen. We are parents of Edwin Clark University because Pa Edwin Clark established the university.

“We are here in this position because he had the large heart to leave a mark—a giant step on the sands of time in the form of this university. A titan has fallen, an iroko has fallen.

“We are trying to imagine a time again when someone close to him will ever come again. It is a loss, and we pray for God to give every one of us the fortitude to bear this loss.”

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mrs Esohe Clark, who received our correspondent around 3:00 pm, said that Chief Clark’s death was a personal loss to her because he was not just a boss but also a father-in-law.

She said that Clark had been a father to her since she lost her biological father at the age of two.

“It was very sad news to us. We know he was old, but we never saw it coming. A man of his age may probably be putting on a diaper, but he never wore one. He was strong and vibrant with a good, sound memory. He was very okay, but like he always said, he had taken his body pass, and he was waiting for the plane to take off. So it was just his time, and the plane has just taken off.

“The institution will miss him a lot. The staff, students, and management will miss him greatly. He was a great man, as a proprietor and a chancellor.

“He never failed to pay our salaries. We hear of some institutions owing salaries and paying backlogs, but he never owed us. He paid as and when due, and I think that’s what they are going to miss about him first of all. If you look behind, you will see a cow—he always brought a cow for us to celebrate. Even when we were ranked the 25th-best university in Nigeria, we celebrated. He liked celebrations. We all ate together on this campus, we had a party, and we all married. We are going to miss him a lot. He was so kind, passionate, and always ready to welcome anyone.

“The VC is heartbroken. He is new and has not known the proprietor enough, but in the little time he met him, he was like, ‘Wow.’ So, Papa’s death is the will of God. He was old. He was 97 and supposed to be 98 on May 25, but he just decided to board the plane finally, and his plane has taken off.

“The proprietor was my father-in-law, and he was the best I could ever wish for. He was a friend, and I was kind of his favourite. He used to call me ‘one man, one mopol,’ and he was the father I never had. I lost my father when I was two years old, so when I married into the family, I never missed my father for one day. He was a lovely father-in-law.”

She said that the students had not been officially informed but might have known from social media. She added that the institution is currently shut down and will resume on 1st March.

Meanwhile, the Otota of Ancient Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, has described Chief E.K. Clark as a man who stood for his people and the Niger Delta region.

Akpomudje said, “The death of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark is a colossal loss—a very big one. He is one of the elders who was so courageous and frank.

“His comments about politics in Nigeria were always very active, to the extent that his brain was intact. He remembered all details concerning his life and the historical facts of Nigeria.

“He could tell you how he attended a meeting 50 years ago, where it was held, and at what time, along with all those who were present. His memory was one of the most uncommon.

“He was a great politician, a man who was there for his people, including the South-South and the political zone. He was a rallying point for everybody.”