By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the late elder statesman, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, with a befitting burial, emphasizing his unwavering contributions to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large.
The Ijaw Youth Council, founded in 1998, remains a leading sociopolitical organization advocating for the interests of the Ijaw people, one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.
Speaking with journalists in Kiagbodo, Delta State, after a meeting with the Clark family on Monday, the chairman of the burial committee, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, described Pa Clark as a fearless leader who always stood for truth and justice.
“Pa Clark was our king. He stood for us, he fought for us, and he never shied away from the truth. He was a man of great history, and the world knows his contributions. We will not be distracted by unnecessary comments because we know who we are,” Lulu-Briggs stated.
Reacting to recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the late elder statesman, Lulu-Briggs dismissed them, saying, “Even the person who made the unfortunate comment has tried to clarify his statement. So, we leave it at that.”
Pa Clark’s first son also weighed in, expressing his disappointment over the comments. “When my father was alive, Wike would not have made such statements. But his words hold no value because everyone in Nigeria and beyond knows what my father stood for. He was a great man who dedicated his life to the progress of this country,” he said.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of the Ijaw people, has already set up a working committee for the funeral arrangements. Lulu-Briggs revealed that further details would be announced soon.
“We have met with the family, and we have agreed on the plans. By next Monday, we will gather again and make a formal announcement to the whole country. Be rest assured, we will give our father a burial worthy of his legacy,” he assured.
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