Hurray! Daddy Clark Is 95 Years Today!

In the port town of kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, on May 25, 1927, a Royal Prince,Edwin Kiagbodo, who was born as first son into the house the debonair modernist, named CLARK,  himself of the heritage of the HRH FULUDU, a delegate of the Western Region Conference of Chiefs of 1942, the Ibadan Constitutional Conference of 1950/1952; himself, scion of the legendary, late 19th century “legitimize trade” maestro and strongman, BEKEDEREMO, whose palace colonial officials described as comparable in elaboration, architecture and order as that of the Oba of Benin, at the time. 

Edwin started to start life as a stubborn but focused young man, earning a reputation as a crusader for truth and justice. Even of things that did not concern him, Edwin soon attracted for himself a place as defender of all good and just causes from family to school to community. 

No wonder, he soon became, a teacher, community and people’s mobilizer, students activist in UK, lawyer and ultimately politician and nationalist.

So, he became then Midwest State Commissioner for Education, reputed for building schools in every ward and initiating the National Education Exchange Programme across Nigeria. Not long after, he became Federal Minister (Commissioner) for information, with critical responsibilities for national orientation and reconciliation in the  post Civil War years. Graduated into the vortex of national politics of ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic, ultimately becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic. 

Dogged fighter for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta and joined the inveterate Chief Harold Dappa Biriye  to give content to the Niger Delta struggle. As leader of South South, he led the region to all the series of political conferences and activities towards the eclipse of military rule in Nigeria. Thereafter,  he gave life to this  South South Peoples Assembly, and along with Late Bishop Gbinigi of South West, Former Vice president, Dr Alex of South East, firmed alliance of Peoples of Southern Nigeria to upscale the demarche for justice,equity and justice.

Stood as a bulwark for the defence of the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration and fight for the survival and rights of the Ijaw and Niger Delta. Led the Niger Delta during g the 2014 National Conference any  subsequently to the formation of PANDEF. 

Formed PANDEF with other groups in southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt to form the SMBLF, the most vocal credible platform formation on Restructuring and Southern Nigeria Presidency.

Today, at 95 years, Daddy is  strong, articulate, and forward-looking.

Congratulations, our revered and most valuable father!