National
Pa E.K Clark launches book, ‘Brutally Frank’ in Abuja
By Peters Monday, Abuja
A new book written by
The Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum, PANDEF, Ijaw national leader and elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark has launched a book, written by himself, titled, ‘Brutally Frank’ today (Thursday) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Clark earlier spoke about the book during an interactive session on the Arise Television program, Prime Time, where he said the book is a great fulfilment in his life because it is among the two things he vowed to accomplish before he joins his ancestors.
He maintained, “I said they are two things I have to do before God calls me home.
One is, instituting a private university, Edwin Clark University in my own home.
This is one of my legacies.
Then the second one is to write a book which I have done.
“It will be launched on Thursday 17th of August at the International Conference Centre Abuja with General Yakubu Gowon as the Chairman.
“President of the Senate will present the keynote address while General T.Y Danjuma will launch the book”.
When asked what inspired him to title the book, ‘Brutally Frank’, Chief Clark has this to say:
“For some time now, I have been writing the book and I call it, ‘Brutally Frank’.
“I took the title from the commendation made on me by my principal, General Yakubu Gowon when I was his Minister.
“He (Gowon) said that I am very loyal to this country.
“Even when I was celebrating my 90th birthday he said that Chief Clark is very loyal to his country, dedicated to his job and he is brutally frank to whatever he says so I picked the title of my book with that commendation made by my principal.
“The book”, he went on, “is about 700 pages. I have spoken about my early age, I was a teacher before I
went abroad to study Law in 1961.
“I have seen that I have put in services to my own country for 70 years starting from a school teacher and I have been making statements.
“People believe I am controversial and that I am only supporting my people. No!
I believe in the country; we belong to one country.
“We need everybody to be equal, where every citizen of Nigeria will have the opportunity to rise to whatever position he wants to, not for a group of people, then others second-hand citizens. No!
” I have been making statements both on the television, radio, newspapers, and press conferences, so I thought I should leave something behind and let people read what I have been talking about and be able to pass judgment on me by my book not what people said I have said,” Clark narrated.