President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday joined the Clark family of Delta State in mourning of Ambassador Blessing Akporade Clark, who passed on Tuesday night at the age of 92.
President Buhari described the former Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations as one of the country’s best and brightest of career diplomats.
“Every moment of his life, he dedicated to the nation,” says the President. “He was a visionary and an outstanding statesman who left behind indelible impressions on the hearts and minds of people across the nation and in many parts of the world. His loss will be felt near and far.”
The President joins family, friends and the government and people of Delta State in mourning a great Nigerian.
“May his soul rest in peace,” he prays.
Late Ambassador Clark is the younger brother of Chief Edwin Clark, the Ijaw leader.
According to a statement by the family signed Dr. Christopher C. Clark, titled ”Press Statement on the passing on of Ambassador Blessing Akporode Clark, CON”: “The Bekederemo-Fuludu-Clark family of Kiagbodo Town in the Burutu Local Government Council of Delta State, announce with profound sadness, the passing onto glory of Nigera’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 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.
“He is survived by his elder brother, Elder statesman Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark and other members of the family.
“Further details will be announced by the family in due course.”
