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Buhari, others pay tribute to J.P Clark

 


By Maureen Ikpeama

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to the late poet and Emeritus Professor of Literature ,John Pepper Clark  who died on Tuesday, October 13,2020 at the age of 85., saying he left an indelible mark in the literary world .

 

Statement by the Special Adviser to the president  on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina,  read: partly , “ President Buhari pays tribute to one of Nigeria ’s finest poets , dramatist and recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for literary excellence , whose repertoire of published works depicts the hard work of a great man , devoted to a lifetime of writing , knowledge and promotion of the indigenous culture of the Ijaw nation .

 

“Acknowledging that Prof . J .P . Clark ’s exit has , indeed , left an indelible mark in the literary world , President Buhari takes solace that his body of literary works , which earned him recognition and respect both at home and abroad , would continue to inspire upcoming Nigerian writers to pursue literary excellence and flourish in their chosen vocation .”

 

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has  ,also paid tribute to the  late Professor.. He described J.P. Clark as a great academic and a celebrated poet , whose literary exploits brought honour and great respect to Nigeria .

 

“His writings mirrored society all through our development as a nation and he raised his pen when it mattered the most to condemn societal ills that threatened our collective existence and advancement as a nation as well as a continent, " he said.

 

Recall that  Professor J.P. Clark's  death was announced by his family in a statement  by Prof . C . C . Clark and Ilaye Clark .

 

The statement read , “The Clark – Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo town, Delta State , wishes to announce that Emeritus Professor of Literature and renowned writer , Prof . John Pepper Clark , has finally dropped his pen in the early hours of today , Tuesday , 13 October, 2020.

 

“Prof . J . P . Clark has paddled onto the great beyond in comfort of his wife , children and sibling , around him.

 

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time . Other details will be announced later by the family. ”

 

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John pepper Clark  was one of Nigeria ’s foremost anglophone dramatists and poets. He  was  born on April 6 , 1935,

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