Dr.-Samuel-Ogbuku-Urges-Ijaw-Youth-to-Emulate-Late-Pa-Edwin-Clark's Leadership Legacy -A-Call-to-Lead-with-Purpose

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku Urges Ijaw Youth to Emulate Late Pa Edwin Clark's Leadership Legacy

A Call to Lead with Purpose

NIGER DELTA-PROGRESS-REPORTERS 

Dave Ikiedei Asei.                                  May 14th, 2025

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has urged leaders of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Central Zone to rise to the occasion and take up the mantle of leadership in the spirit of the late Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. This appeal was made during a solemn interaction at Kiagbodo in Delta State, where dignitaries gathered to pay their last respects to the legendary Ijaw statesman.

Dr. Ogbuku made the call during a brief but impactful meeting with the leadership of the Ijaw Ijaw National Congress (INC) Central Zone, led by its Chairman, Dr. Doodei Week. He emphasized the need for a new generation of Ijaw leaders to step forward with conviction, sincerity, and vision.

Emulating a Hero’s Legacy

Dr. Ogbuku highlighted the vacuum left in Ijaw leadership following the passing of Pa Edwin Clarke, a revered nationalist and advocate for minority rights. He described Pa Clark as a bridge-builder, a courageous voice for the marginalized, and a man who devoted his life to justice, unity, and the development of the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large.

He implored the INC Central Zone leaders and all Ijaws both at home and the diaspora to reflect deeply on the virtues of the late icon. “You can be that leader,” he said. “Leadership is not always about being elected or appointed. True leadership is defined by service, integrity, and the ability to inspire and unite others around a just cause.”

Leadership Beyond Politics and Wealth

Dispelling common misconceptions about leadership, Dr. Ogbuku stressed that authentic leaders are not necessarily those who hold political office or possess great wealth. Instead, he said, real leaders are those who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the common good, much like the late Pa Edwin Clark.

“In our present context, the Ijaw nation does not just need politicians,” he noted. “We need patriots. We need men and women who will carry the banner of unity, truth, and justice without fear or favour. Leadership is about service—service rooted in love for one’s people.”

A Blueprint for Immortalizing Pa Clark

Dr. Ogbuku shared his thoughts on how best to honour and immortalize Pa Edwin Clark. According to him, it is not through mere monuments or eulogies that a man of Clark's stature should be remembered, but through sustained action and emulation of his values.

“The greatest tribute to Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark is not the event we are attending today,” he remarked. “It is the decision we make going forward—to live by his values, to fight for our people, to speak truth to power, and to bring unity to the Ijaw nation.”

He urged the INC Central Zone to become a beacon of hope and a driving force for change, stressing that leadership begins with a commitment to serve selflessly and consistently, even without recognition.

Unity and Love as Core Pillars

Dr. Ogbuku also used the occasion to advocate for increased unity, love, and solidarity among the Ijaw people, both within Nigeria and across the diaspora. He emphasized that internal division has been one of the greatest setbacks to the region’s development and called for a renewed sense of brotherhood.

“Let us come together in love and unity,” he said. “That was Pa Clarke in’s message. That should be our message going forward. No meaningful progress can come from disunity. We must build bridges, not walls.”

A Tribute to Commitment and Sacrifice

As he concluded his remarks, Dr. Ogbuku thanked all those who made the journey to Kiagbodo to honour the life and legacy of a man who dedicated himself to the service of the Ijaw people. He expressed confidence that out of the current generation of Ijaw youth, God would raise another leader to continue the struggle for equity and justice.

“This gathering is not just about mourning,” he declared. “It is about recommitment. It is about the birth of a new era of leadership. I believe God will raise another strong, principled, and visionary leader among you to continue from where our great father stopped.”

Appreciation from the Ijaw National Congress C

The leadership of the Ijaw National Congress Zone expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Ogbuku for his inspiring words and counsel. They acknowledged the weight of the responsibility placed before them and pledged to live up to the legacy of Pa Edwin Clarke by promoting unity, peace, and meaningful development in Ijaw land.

A Visionary Voice for the Ijaw Nation

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s message stood out not only as a tribute to a fallen hero but also as a call to action for the future. In a time when Nigeria and the Niger Delta region face various challenges, his words rekindled a sense of purpose and identity among the Ijaw people. His call for selfless leadership rooted in justice and unity reaffirms his dedication to the upliftment and progress of the Ijaw nation.

As the Ijaw community reflects on the life of Pa Edwin Clark, Dr. Ogbuku’s address serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is not inherited—it is demonstrated. And it begins with the will to serve others above oneself.

May the Ijaw Nation Continue to Rise

The event at Kiagbodo marked not just the end of an era but the potential beginning of a new chapter for the Ijaw people. With voices like Dr. Ogbuku encouraging the youth and leaders of tomorrow, there is hope that the spirit of Pa Edwin Clarke will live on—not just in memory, but in action.

God bless Dr. Samuel Ogbuku
God bless the Ijaw National Congress
God bless the Niger Delta and all its people