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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, commiserated with the Clark family over the demise of their patriarch, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, describing him as a patriotic Nigerian with robust integrity.

Governor Oborevwori, who paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family at the Kiagbodo country home of the late elder statesman, said the deceased nonagenarian was a household name in the country, adding that he lived a fulfilled life.

According to him, Pa E.K. Clark, as he was popularly known, was very committed to the development of the Niger Delta and the country at large, adding that he had left indelible mark in the history of the country.

The Governor, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other top government functionaries, disclosed that the foremost Elder statesman was always very bold, courageous, focused and articulate.

“Looking at the faces of the people here today, you see that they are celebrating our father who passed on recently.

“It is with profound sorrow that l extend my deepest condolences to the family of Pa E.K. Clark, the people of Kiagbodo, the Ijaw nation and the people of the Niger Delta, over his demise.

“Papa was somebody that is a household name in this country; he has lived a very fulfilled life. He was a man with robust integrity and was very committed to the development of the Niger Delta and the country at large.

“He has left indelible an mark in the history of this country. If you look round the Niger Delta today, you can hardly see anyone that is vocal like him.

“If you read his book, ‘Brutally Frank,’ you will know that he is a man with sharp memories. He was somebody who while alive, when you call your name in this Niger Delta, he will tell you the lineage of your family. So, he was somebody that was very bold and courageous.

“When we spoke last, Papa said to me that l am doing very well as Governor and that if l was not doing well, he would tell me as well.

“He don’t mince his words. He was very very focused and articulate at all times. His memory was very sharp and l know that throughout this period, we are going to be the host state,” he said.

While assuring members of the family that the state government would stand behind them and the Ijaw nation throughout the mourning period, the Governor, also, commiserated with the entire Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government and Ijaw nation over Pa Clark’s demise.

Responding on behalf of the family, the eldest child of the deceased nonagenarian, Mrs. Rebecca Okorodudu, who was joined by her uncle, Prof. Collins Clark and other family members, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the condolence visit, even as she assured him that they would continue to support the policies and programmes of his administration.