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JP Clark: Buhari, others console Edwin Clark for loss of poet brother

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a condolence message to a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, for the demise of his younger brother, John Pepper Clark, an emeritus professor of literature and renowned writer.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, are among other people that have paid tributes to the literary icon, who died on Tuesday at the age of 86, according to a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark and Mr Ilaye Clark, for the family.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce that emeritus professor of literature and renowned writer, Prof. John Pepper Clark, has finally dropped his pen in the early hours of today, Tuesday, 13 October, 2020.

“Prof. J. P. Clark has paddled on to the great beyond in comfort of his wife, children and sibling, around him.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said JP Clark’s death would leave a huge vacuum in the literary world.

It stated, “On behalf of the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari extends the deepest condolence to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family on the passing of renowned writer and emeritus professor of literature, Prof. John Pepper Clark.

“President Buhari pays tribute to one of Nigeria’s finest poets, dramatist and recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for literary excellence, whose repertoire of published works depicts the hard work of a great man, devoted to a lifetime of writing, knowledge and promotion of the indigenous culture of the Ijaw nation.

“Acknowledging that Prof. J.P. Clark’s exit has, indeed, left an indelible mark in the literary world, President Buhari takes solace that his body of literary works, which earned him recognition and respect both at home and abroad, would continue to inspire upcoming Nigerian writers to pursue literary excellence and flourish in their chosen vocation.

“The President’s thoughts and prayers are with the family of the departed patriot, the government and people of Delta State and the literary community in the country.

“He prays for the peaceful repose of the soul departed.”

Governor Obaseki described the late Clark as “a great academic, celebrated poet, adding, “His literary exploits brought honour and great respect to Nigeria and his contributions to literature and education, in general, will outlive many generations.”

Governor Okowa of Delta, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said the literary world had lost an enigma whose works would continue to dominate the contemporary Nigerian society.

He said, “The literary works of Professor J.P. Clark promoted Delta, Nigeria and Africa, hence his demise is being celebrated by lovers of literature all over the world.

“As a serial award-winner in poetry, the late Prof. Clark was a consummate patriot, a great literary icon and a teacher par excellence, whose literary publications inspired deep thoughts, especially on social-economic and political themes.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family over the passing of renowned poet, literary giant and playwright, Emeritus Professor John Pepper Clark.”

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who described him as a literary colossus, said, “As we all mourn the transition of this great African to eternal life, our heartfelt condolences go to his dear family and our dear Papa, Chief Edwin Clark.

“Forever, the world shall recall the intellectual stature and contributions of Prof Emeritus John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo.”

A famous playwright, Prof. Femi Osofisan, saw the late poet as a complex personality, noting, “He was an embodiment of contradictions in his personality, but what interests us is his talent as a poet and writer and conscience of society.

“He wasn’t a protest poet, but was very political in his writing. He was very concerned about the issues that pertain to society.

“We are going to miss him. I would personally miss him because he is my friend and mentor.”

Born on December 6, 1933, in Kiagbodo, to an Ijaw father and Urhobo mother, Clark received his early education at the Native Authority School, Okrika (Ofinibenya-Ama), in Burutu Local Government Area (then Western Ijaw) and the Government College in Ughelli.

He had his BA degree in English at the University of Ibadan, where he edited various magazines, including the Beacon and The Horn.

He had worked as an information officer in the Ministry of Information, in the old Western Region of Nigeria, after graduation from Ibadan in 1960, as features editor of the Daily Express, and as a research fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

He served for several years as a Professor of English at the University of Lagos and retired in 1980.

In 1982, along with his wife, Ebun Odutola (a professor and former director of the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos), he founded the PEC Repertory Theatre in Lagos.

He held visiting professorial appointments at several institutions of higher learning, including Yale and Wesleyan University in the United States.

Clark was most noted for his poetry

News

FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Trends Admin

FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari died on Sunday at a clinic in London of protracted illness related to lukemia.

The public holiday is in addition to the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the break in a statement released on Monday through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. Magdalene Ajani,

Tunji-Ojo said the holiday is a gesture of respect for Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and development.

“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” the minister said.

This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”

Tunji-Ojo asked Nigerians to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national unity in line with Buhari’s vision.

FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari

News

Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025

Two Nigerian-born billionaires, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been named in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants.

The list features 125 billionaires from 41 countries, who collectively make up 14% of all billionaires living in the U.S. and control 18% of the country’s total billionaire wealth.

Top on the list are three South Africans, including Elon Musk ($393.1bn, Tesla, SpaceX); Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6bn, pharmaceuticals), and Rodney Sacks ($3.6bn, energy drinks).

Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025

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Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process

Published

3 days ago

July 13, 2025

Trends Admin

Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process

The power of the President to unilaterally appoint Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be whittled down in a constitutional review proposal.

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is currently considering the proposal to bring the National Judicial Council (NJC) into the process.

According to a report by PUNCH, the amendment seeks to reduce the influence of the executive arm by enhancing the transparency and impartiality of INEC leadership appointments.

This proposed shift follows long-standing calls for electoral reform, including the recommendations made in 2007 by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais, who led the Electoral Reform Committee.

The Uwais-led panel had advised that the NJC, rather than the President, should be responsible for nominating INEC board members, and that the commission’s funding should come directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to safeguard its autonomy.

Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that the proposed change was a positive development.

“It is a welcome development. It is one of the many good recommendations on how to insulate the position of whoever is chairman of INEC from political and executive pressures, as well as curing the deep-seated impression that ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune.’”

Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, echoed this support, though he raised concerns about the NJC’s neutrality.

“The proposal by the National Assembly to amend the constitution to involve the NJC in the appointment of the INEC chairman is in line with Justice Uwais’ recommendation because over time, we have seen how presidents appointed their protégés and cronies, including people with a clear partisan background, into INEC.

“It is because of this that YIAGA Africa called it institutional capture, that is, INEC captured by the executive arm.