The national leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, has expressed shock on the passing into glory of one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON.
Fasoranti, who is also Asiwaju of Yoruba, expressed the condolences in the wake of the announcement of the death of Pa Clark. According to the family source, Chief Clark died in the evening of Monday, February 17, 2024. He was 97.
In the condolence message, Afenifere leader, Fasoranti, described Clark as a great man who would be remembered for his fearlessness and the knack to ‘say it as he saw it’.
A statement by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, quoted Fasoranti as saying that lovers of democracy and particularly advocates of restructuring will solely miss the former Commissioner for Information.
“Since the need to ensure that Nigeria serves the best interests of the vast majority became more pertinent, my brother, Chief Edwin Clark, was a very strong advocate. His voice was loud in the agitations for a restructured Nigeria. He always displayed the same strong passions on national issues especially those that affected the South South”.
Fasoranti stated that it grieved his heart that he has to mourn another compatriot just a few days after the death of the erstwhile acting leader of Afenifere and a comrade-in-arm, Chief Ayodele Adebanjo.
“Of course, we know that death is inevitable for all mortals, but it can be heart-rending and painful to be losing one’s comrades in succession. On behalf of Afenifere and fellow compatriots, I condole the immediate and extended families of our late patriot, Chief Edwin Clark, the people of Delta State and the people of the South South generally on his demise”.
Until his death at age 97, Clark was the Leader of the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) formed by the ethnic nationalities from the Middle Belt, South-South, South East and South West of Nigeria. Afenifere, representing the South West, was a foundation member of the organization. Indeed, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a prominent leader of Afenifere was the deputy Chairman of SMBLF before his death last week Friday.
The Afenifere Leader enjoined those that Clark left behind, including members of the SMBF, not to grieve much but to take solace in the fact that the late Chairman of the body made remarkable contributions to the organization as well as to the South South region and Nigeria.
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