Activist Urges Oborevwori to Declare Monday, Tuesday Public Holidays to Honour Late Elder Statesman Pa Clark

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Prominent Niger Delta activist Snr Comrade Ganagana Francis, President Ijaw Community Asaba, President Niger Delta Community Projects Monitoring Organization (NDCPMO) and Coordinator Parliament of Human Right (PHR)
has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to declare Monday and Tuesday as public holidays in Delta State to honour the late Elder Statesman, High Chief Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark to enable stakeholders and others to attend his funeral rights unhindered. The request comes on the heels of his ongoing seven days funeral rites which would end Monday and Tuesday.

According to a statement released on Friday, Comrade Francis emphasised the significance of High Chief Clark’s legacy as a champion of social justice, regional development, and peace in the Niger Delta. “It is imperative that we come together to pay our final respects to a man who dedicated his life to serving the people of this region,” Francis said. He further narrated that a public holiday would allow well-meaning Deltans to participate in the ongoing funeral rites, ensuring that all those who wish to celebrate the life of the Elder Statesman can do so without the hindrance of work obligations.

Congress News earlier reported that High Chief Edwin Clark, widely regarded as a political stalwart and elder statesman, passed away on 17th April,2025, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped the socio-political landscape of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole. Known for his unwavering commitment to the rights of the Niger Delta people, he has been instrumental in advocating for equitable resource distribution, environmental justice, and the empowerment of local communities.

However, many described High Chief Clark as a father figure and a beacon of hope for the Niger Delta region. Community leaders, students, and various organizations have echoed state burial rites to celebrate the legacy late Pa Clark.

Ganagana maintained that it wasn’t wrong to celebrate and honour late Elder Statesman Pa Edwin with two days holidays if truly the governor of Delta State had respect for the late Ijaw national leader.