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Family Announces Date For Edwin Clark’s Burial

Published

5 months ago

April 5, 2025

Editor

Late elder statesman and erstwhile leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark who died on February 17 this year will be buried in his family compound in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State on May 13, 2025.

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.

Penaowei Clark, a United States-based industrialist, was joined at the press conference by his other siblings, including Chief Ebikeme Clark, who is the Delta State Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure Development, as well as their older sister and other notable family members.

He told journalists that the May 13, 2025, date scheduled for the burial of their patriarch was arrived at after due consultation with all stakeholders, including the government, political associates, and religious and sociocultural organisations.

He said, “On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, there will be a lecture at the NAF Conference Centre & Suite, Abuja, at 11 am.

“On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a Valedictory Session will be held at the Senate Chambers at 11 am.

“On Friday, May 9, 2025, there will be a Day of Tribute at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Abuja, at 3 pm, while on Saturday, May 10, 2025, a Wrestling Contest will take place in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and a Service of Songs wull be held at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, No. 39, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja at 5 pm.

“A Boat Regatta, Port Harcourt Masquerade and Candlelight Memorial will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025 in Yenagoa, Kiagbodo in Delta and in his Abuja residence, No. 43, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja from 7 pm to 8 pm.”

“On Monday, May 12, 2025, a Commendation Service will be held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, at 8 am, while a Valedictory Court Session will hold simultaneously at High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State by 10 am.”

Penaowei said his father’s body will depart from Abuja to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at 10:30 am, and a Commendation Service will be held at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from 1:3opm to 2:30 pm.

He added, “Chief Clark’s Body departs to Warri, Delta State by 2:30 pm and a lying in state at No. 5, Swamp Road, Warri, Delta State will hold from 6:30 pm to 7 pm. At 7:30 pm, his body departs to Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, for a Service of Songs and an all-night vigil at Kiagbodo Town, Delta State.

“On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Lying in state will hold at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo Town, Delta State by 10 am to 10:30 amm and by 10:30 to11 amm, a Commendation Service at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State. At 11 am, a Funeral service will be held, and a reception will be held by 1 pm, while internment and an all-night vigil will start by 5 pm. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, there will be a Thanksgiving Service.”

Born on May 25, 1927, the late Chief Edwin Clark was Nigeria’s former Federal Commissioner for Information under the regime of General Yakubu Gowon.

He was later elected as a Senator during the Second Republic and remained very active in the national polity until recently, when he formally resigned from active politics.

At the community level, Clark founded Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, just as he held several traditional titles and was always adored and greeted by his people as “Gogorogo” New Power, a greeting that stemmed from his great-grandfather, Chief Bekederemo Ogbeni.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.