By Uche Onyeali
Family of late elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, has fixed his burial for May 13.
This was announced by the eldest son of the deceased, Mr Penaowei Clark, on Saturday, during a press conference held by the family inside the country home of the late South-South leader.
According to the family, Pa Clark, who died on February 17, will be buried in his family compound in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr Clark told journalists that the May 13 date scheduled for the burial of their patriarch was arrived at after due consultation with all stakeholders, including government, political associates, religious and socio-cultural organisations.
According to him, “On Wednesday, May 7, there will be a lecture at the NAF Conference Centre & Suite, Abuja, at 11am.
“On Thursday, May 8, a Valedictory Session will be held at the Senate Chambers at 11am.
“On Friday, May 9, there will be a Day of Tribute at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Abuja, at 3 pm, while on Saturday, May 10, a Wrestling Contest will take place in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and a Service of Songs will be held at St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, No. 39, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja at 5pm.
“A Boat Regatta, Port Harcourt Masquerade and Candlelight Memorial will be held on Sunday, May 11 in Yenagoa, Kiagbodo in Delta and in his Abuja residence, No. 43, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja from 7pm to 8pm.
“On Monday, May 12, a Commendation Service will be held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, at 8am, while a Valedictory Court Session will hold simultaneously at the High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State by 10am.”
Penaowei said his father’s body would depart Abuja to Yenagoa at 10:30am and a commendation service would be held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
He added that “Chief Clark’s body departs to Warri, Delta State, by 2:30pm and a lying in state at No. 5, Swamp Road, Warri, Delta State will hold from 6:30pm to 7pm. At 7:30pm, his body departs to Kiagbodo Town, Delta State for a Service of Songs and an all-night vigil.
“On Tuesday, May 13, lying in state will hold at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo Town by 10am to 10:30am and by 10:30am to 11am, a Commendation Service at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo. At 11 am, a funeral service will be held and a reception will take place by 1pm, while internment and an all-night vigil will start by 5pm. On Sunday, May 18, there will be a Thanksgiving Service.”
