Akpabio Assures of Senate Full Participation in Edwin Clark's Burial

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has given an assurance that the Senate will participate fully in the burial of Pa Edwin Clark who died on Monday.

Akpabio gave the assurance on Wednesday when a delegation of the Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF) led by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali visited him to formally inform him of the demise of the elderstatesman.

The Senate President told his guests that the Senate had earlier in the day observed a minute silence in honour of Pa Edwin Clark who was himself a Senator.

"We couldn't even wait for you to let us know that he was gone. We agreed to send a strong delegation to come and condole with you, condole with the immediate family and the good people of Ijaw nation, Niger Delta as a whole and other Nigerians and for the Senate to take part in all the burial activities. So we intend to be there.

"So on this note, I welcome you. We have received the news now formally and I want to thank you for the honour that you have done to the National Assembly by coming as a delegation to let us know that yes indeed, our father is gone. The father of Nigeria. One of those who have made Nigeria what it is.

"I assure you of our total readiness to cooperate with you and all well meaning Nigerians and because this is a great loss to Nigeria, not just to the Niger Delta region," Akpabio said.

Speaking further, the Senate President said "Pa Edwin Clark was not just any Nigerian. He was a Pan Africanist. We describe him as an iconic leader. We describe him also as a detrabilised Nigerian who fought particularly for the welfare of the minorities across Nigeria, not just in the Niger Delta.

"He wanted a better country. He wanted an inclusive country. He wanted a country where every minority could have a sense of belonging and say yes, this is my country. I am proud of my country.

"And today to hear that at the age of 97, almost 98, he lived with his principles intact and on his passage, all he could mutter was 'I love Nigeria,' 'I am a Nigerian.' I think one can write PhD thesis out of that. That was the summary of his life. From the time he was born, until the time he left.

"That exclamation was to remind you and all of us alive that we must continue to exhibit the best virtues. We must not lose faith no matter what is happening. No matter the travails that we are passing through today. We must love Nigeria. We must believe in Nigeria."

The PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Igali said the delegation was at the National Assembly to inform Akpabio as the most senior politician from the South-South, from Niger Delta that his father Chief Edwin Clark had passed on.

"We thought it is only proper and fit that having been a Senator himself, a senior politician, an elderstatesman of this country, it is right that we come to inform you.

"Besides the fact that he was from your part of the country, he was very close to you. When he was ill, we informed you. Papa was not sick for a long time.

"Up to two months ago, Papa was hale and hearty but we observed there was a gradual wind down...But two weeks ago, the wind down continued. Last Sunday, I was there, sitted with his nurse and he exclaimed: 'I love Nigeria,' 'I'm a Nigerian.' He said 'I'm a Nigerian' twice. He said 'I love Nigeria' twice and the next thing he stopped talking. We took him to the hospital and after some hours, the Doctor said he has gone."

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...

BREAKING: 2Baba Shot Dead In Rivers State

A notorious cult leader and the prime suspect in the brutal murder of the late Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, in the state, Gift Okpara, popularly referred to as 2Baba, has been reportedly killed in a police-led major security raid. The police and other security agencies were said to have conducted land and aerial raids at the identical hideout of the Iceland cult leader and his gang at Idu-Ekpeye in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers on Saturday, February 17. According to The Nation , the Iceland cult leader was reportedly feared dead after the operation. Recall that in September 2023, the late DPO was ambushed and captured by the cult group led by 2Baba in the Odiemudie community, Ahoada East LGA. 2Baba and his gang then took the DPO to the forest, where they killed him and dismembered his body. The cultists then filmed him. Another source, Obi, said he saw no less than 15 vehicles and an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) during th...

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