Edwin Clark loses brother
By Collins Mbakwe
The younger brother of Nigerian nationalist Edwin Clark, Blessing Akporode Clark, has died.
Our Nigeria News gathered that Akporode Clark passed away on Tuesday in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.
The former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York died at age 92.
His death was confirmed in a statement signed by Dr Christopher C. Clark for the family and made available to newsmen late Tuesday night.
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The deceased had served in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and Nigerian Ambassador.
The statement, which confirmed the Diplomat’s death, read: “The Bekederemo-Fuludu-Clark family of Kiagbodo Town in the Burutu Local Government Council of Delta State, announce with profound sadness, the passing onto the glory of Nigeria’s foremost Diplomat, Ambassador Blessing Akporode Clark, CON, today, 26th July 2022 in Lagos. He was aged 92 years.
“At several times in his Diplomatic career, he was Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.
“He was one of Nigeria’s leading multilateralists and rose to become Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of External Affairs. He was one of the critical global personalities in the fight against Apartheid and Racial Discrimination; and a leading world expert on Disarmament.
“Since 1999, until his death, he served as a Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Relations.
“Ambassador Clark was a mentor to Nigeria’s Diplomatic Service, and for 50 (fifty) years, helped to shape Nigeria’s foreign policy.”
Naija News understands that the diplomat is survived by his elder brother, Chief Edwin Clark and other family members.
The family has promised to update the general public on burial arrangements.
