The Senate on Wednesday called on the federal government to immortalise the late Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and prominent South-South leader, by naming a national monument after him. The upper chamber also resolved to send a delegation to commiserate with his family and attend his burial rites, in recognition of his service as a former senator.

During plenary on Tuesday, the Senate observed a minute of silence in his honour and paid tributes to the late leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), who passed away on February 17, at the age of 97.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (APC-Delta South) and co-sponsored by 16 other senators from the South-South geopolitical zone.

In his presentation, Senator Thomas highlighted Clark’s remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and his unwavering commitment to the rights of the Niger Delta people.

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“Pa Edwin Clark was a nationalist, a renowned lawyer, a seasoned administrator, a philanthropist, and an astute advocate for the Niger Delta region,” Thomas said.

Several senators while contributing to the motion, praised Clark’s courage and lifelong advocacy for equity and justice:

Senator Ede Dafinone (APC-Delta Central) described Clark as a man who was never afraid to speak truth to power:

Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa West) called Clark an iconic leader who served meticulously, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia South) commended Clark’s unwavering support for the marginalised.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged Clark’s relentless advocacy for the rights of minorities and his efforts to unite different regions of the country.