By Dr Solomon Arase
Death is to Robert Southey like a wound on a limb. ‘Time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be repaired. ’
The passage of our dear Pa (Chief) Edwin Clark is, undoubtedly, a wound in the heart of the nation, the anguish of which not even time could heal, and the loss of which may never be repaired.
This is because Pa Clark was the conscience of the nation, an authoritative repertoire of the socio-political history of Nigeria, and an iconic nationalist whose courage, principles and frank dissection of thorny national issues were the treasured hallmarks of his life.
Pa Clark was a patriot per excellence, and a credible and highly respected voice in the national and global spaces.
As a nation builder who believes in the Nigerian project, he committed his entire life to projecting our national security and socio-economic interests.
Through the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF), an umbrella body representing the interests of the people of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria and other similar organisations, he provided historic leadership and exhibited exceptional strength of character that guaranteed stability in a usually restless Niger Delta region and fostered national cohesion, security, and development across the country.
A respected voice in the national and global spaces, Pa Clark was a man of immeasurable wisdom whose fearless approach to addressing sensitive national questions remained most inspiring.
As proud an Ijaw man that he was, Pa Clark was also an undying believer in the Nigerian Project, and he sacrificed relentlessly towards national peace and unity till death.
On a personal level, he was a rich and ever-flowing fountain of wisdom from where I always tapped to whet my appetite for knowledge and guidance in navigating through the daunting challenges of both my public and private life.
While the nation will miss this iconic nationalist, my family and I will treasure him eternally.
In the words of Late Pope Francis, ‘Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. In similar words to Chuck Palahniuk, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”
Pa (Chief) Clark might have completed his earthly race, but undoubtedly, he has achieved the goal of creating something that will never die. These are his legacies of national service, courage, nationalism, peace and security.
His life and passage should also challenge us as a people not to allow his death to be the end. Rather, his transition should challenge us as a nation to begin a new phase in our evolution as a nation.
A phase that will fulfil Pa Clark’s desire for national cohesion and a nation nurtured by equity, patriotism, peace and justice. This is the only way we, as a people who he has served this much, can truly immortalise him.
Adieu, Our Dearest Iconic Nationalist!
Solomon E. Arase Esq, PhD, CFR, Inspector General of Police (Rtd), Former Chairman, Police Service Commission
