Clark Stood By Me In My Trying Times- Fubara
Rivers State governor on Tuesday spoke on the contributions made by the late Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark during his trying times, describing him as a father with character and conscience.
Fubara said this when he led a delegation of prominent Rivers State citizens, including a former governor, Chief Rufus Ada George, to pay a condolence visit to the Clark family in Abuja.
Fubara said: “I am happy to be associated with such character. He was a father with character of integrity, uprightness; character that is not greedy, self-serving. He was ready to sacrifice everything.
“I want to assure the family, Clark was a father to me. In my most trying time, he stood by me. He spoke truth to power. He wasn’t scared, and I appreciate the role he played and the impact he made.”
Saying that Clark was a quintessential leader who remained fearless, speaking against acts of injustice, leadership recklessness and marginalization while also propagating national unity, Fubara also said Clark was not just a South-South leader of repute but truly occupied strategic place in national history for his role in nation-building and pursuit for social justice.
According to him, “Papa lived very long, 90 plus years is not a joke with full energy, still contributing positively. So, I join the family to say it pleased God at this time for him to leave us. And while he is not here with us, we cherish the wonderful work he did.
“We came here to tell you that Rivers State feels this pain. we are going to support to make sure that we follow the decision of the family to make sure that we give him a befitting burial.
“We have to immortalize his name. That is the truth. It is not about the South-South. It is all about his contributions to nation-building.”
He advised the bereaved family to stay united to honour their late father whose legacy they must protect, and urged them to be different from some families that recline to scrambling over assets, which is possible, if they stand together to resist such tendencies, adding: “Be more united now than ever. That is the only way we his children at the other side, will come to support you to make sure that he is given a befitting burial.”
While welcoming Fubara and his entourage, son of late Chief Edwin Clark, Ebikeme Clark, expressed gratitude of the children to the Governor, members of the delegation and the entire State for the support and visit.
