From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has described the National Leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBF), Chief Edwin Clark as a dogged and fearless patriot as he celebrates his 97th birthday.
The President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanyu, who said this in a statement on Friday said that Clark was one of the few detribalised Nigerians who has often spoken against Igbo marginalization, insisting that agitations by Ndigbo are justified.
Iwuanyanyu recalled how Clark facilitated the renovation and equipment of the Queens School, Enugu with state of the art facilities, shortly after the Nigerian Biafran civil war, adding that during the 2023 presidential election, he stood firmly for Peter Obi; among many others.
The statement reads, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide joins the numerous admirers both at home and in the diaspora to felicitate a life time achiever, a dogged and fearless patriot, pathfinder and one of the most patriotic icons of our time, astute politician, philanthropist and educationist, the National Leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark as he clocks 97 on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
“Chief Clark is one of the few detribalized Nigerians with an unassailable passion for the Igbo. I recall with freshness how Clark facilitated the renovation and equipment of the Queens School, Enugu with state of the art facilities, shortly after the Nigerian Biafran civil war.
“Eminent Igbo women that passed through the school, such as Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Justice Victoria Nebo, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu, Mrs. Justina Offia (SAN), Prof. Gloria Chukwukere, etc, are some of the testaments of Clark magnanimity. Thus, Clark has remained one of the Patrons of the School to the present day.
“Furthermore, Clark has often spoken vehemently against the Igbo marginalisation and that the agitations by the Igbo are justified. During the 2023 presidential election, Clark stood firmly for Peter Obi; among many others.
“Chief E K Clark is an exceptionally courageous Nigerian who speaks truth to power, both in dictatorship and in democracy; the voice of the voiceless; the father of the fatherless, defender of the oppressed, justice crusader and a renowned moral edifice.
“The Leader, we are indeed very delighted that your charismatic inter-ethnic acumen, intellectual prowess, visionary and prophetic uncompromising stand on national issues are the incontrovertible virtues that have cast your name in gold for generations yet unborn.
“I am happy that the Almighty has rewarded your milk of human kindness and generosity with a physical fitness, mental alertness, accomplishments and fulfillment at 97; and counting.
“On behalf of all the National Executive Committee (NEC), the Youth and Women Wings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and indeed all the sons and daughters of Igbo land, I wish you many more years in stable health and sound mind.”