The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, High Chief (Dr) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has described the late Ijaw national leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, as “a democratic and socio-economic crusader”, who was “fearless, and irrepressible individual who spoke truth to power”.
Clark, an elder statesman and leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the age of 97 in Abuja.
Tompolo, who is the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private security outfit engaged in providing comprehensive security solutions for the protection of vital infrastructure in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, in a condolence message to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, expressed rude shock over the news of the passage of the Ijaw national leader.
The boss Tantita said, “I, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, also called Tompolo, would like to express my sympathies to the family of High Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on behalf of my friends, family, and colleagues on his passing yesterday.
“I also extend my condolences to the people of the South-South Geopolitical Zone and Nigeria in general for the death of our illustrious father. The news came to me with a rude shock, as I was not expecting this kind of news this morning. Even though he was old, he was full of life and kicking. Hence, I was surprised to hear of his death this morning.
“Nigeria lost its unique and potent voice in the South-South geopolitical zone, which was a unique gift from God.
“There is no denying that this death has put a vacuum in the country’s leadership structure. He was a democratic and socio-economic crusader.
“Senator Clark was a strong, fearless, and irrepressible individual who spoke truth to power. He was a voice for the voiceless and a father for the fatherless. We will miss him.
“I pray that God Almighty gives the family and the country the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
