By George Ozalla
The lights dimmed inside Eko Hotels and Suites and a large portrait of the late nationalist filled the screen. Applause rose slowly, then swelled across the hall as organisers of the 20th edition of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards announced a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award in honour of Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
The award was received on behalf of the Clark family by his son, Delta State Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure, Hon. Ebikeme Clark, who expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising his father’s contribution to national development. He described the honour as a reflection of the late elder statesman’s lifelong commitment to justice, equity and national cohesion.
Guests at the ceremony, drawn from across the political and business spectrum, stood in acknowledgement of a man widely regarded as one of the most outspoken voices of his generation. Several speakers reflected on his steady interventions in matters of governance, federalism and minority rights, noting that Clark remained active in public discourse well into his later years.
Clark died on 17 February 2025 at the age of 97. A former Federal Commissioner for Information, he played a visible role in Nigeria’s post-civil war political evolution and later became a leading figure in Niger Delta advocacy. Through platforms such as the Pan Niger Delta Forum, he pushed for restructuring, resource equity and inclusive governance. His public statements often shaped national conversations and drew attention to the concerns of oil-producing communities.
The Silverbird Man of the Year Awards was instituted by the Silverbird Group, founded by media entrepreneur and former senator Ben Murray-Bruce. Established to honour individuals whose work has significantly influenced Nigeria’s development, the annual ceremony has, over the years, recognised leaders across politics, business, entertainment and public service. Clark’s posthumous honour now joins that record as a formal acknowledgement of a long and consequential public life.
