Renowned Niger Delta leader and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, died on Monday at the age of 97.

His death was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning by a family representative, Prof. C. C. Clark.

The PANDEF also issued an official announcement, signed by its spokesman, Obiuwevbi Ominimini.

The statement was jointly released by Professor College Clark of the Clark-Fuludu-Bakederemo family and Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, the National Chairman of PANDEF.

Here are 10 key things to know about Edwin Clark:

• He was born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, Delta State.

• He started school at African Church School in 1938 and later attended Government Teachers Training College, Abraka.

• Between 1961 and 1964, he studied Law at Holborn College in the United Kingdom.

• His political career began in 1953 when he was elected a councillor in Bomadi (now in Delta State).

• Over the years, he held several important roles, including:

Commissioner for Education (Mid-Western Region, 1968-1971)
Commissioner for Finance and Establishment (Bendel State, 1972-1975)
Federal Commissioner for Information under General Yakubu Gowon (1975)

• As Commissioner for Education, he helped establish the Mid-West Institute of Technology, which later became the University of Benin.

• Clark was a strong voice for the Niger Delta, pushing for:l better resource control, environmental protection and economic development in the region

• He was a key figure in the PANDEF and the Ijaw National Congress, consistently working for policies that supported the Niger Delta’s growth.

• He founded Edwin Clark University in Kiagbodo, Delta State, to provide education opportunities for young Nigerians.