By Jimitota Onoyume

Dignitaries and well-wishers paid glowing tributes on Sunday night as the remains of the late Chief Edwin Clark was laid in state at his residence in Warri.

The Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi; Chairman of the Warri South West local government area, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni; Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro; former president Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick; president of the Ijaw National Congress INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba; Rev. Father Oghenejode Abaka; Barrister Eric Omare, National Chairman Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF; Ambassador Godknows Igali; and Alaowei Tunde Smooth were among the personalities at the brief ceremony.

Frank Omare, former Commissioner for Environment, Delta State, who spoke for the Ogbe Ijoh kingdom, eulogised the memory of the late Clark, describing him as a great leader who fought for justice and fairness for all, noting that he also contributed immensely to the development of the defunct Midwestern Bendel states and the old Warri township.

Former president Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Barrister Eric Omare, who worked very closely with the late Clark at the time, said the late Pa Clark was a great leader and would be greatly missed across the Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation.

“Chief Clark is irreplaceable, an extraordinary human being. I had the privilege of working closely with him at one time. His leadership was extraordinary; we will miss him across the Niger Delta region and the country,” he said.

Father Abaka, who gave the opening prayer at the brief ceremony, said the late Chief Clark epitomised a life of immense service to humanity.

The valedictory court session initially slated at the High Court in Warri did not hold yesterday. Vanguard gathered that lawyers would rather file past his remains at his Kiagbodo village on Tuesday during the final interment ceremony.