Chief Edwin K. Clark, a revered figure in Nigeria’s political and educational landscape, has been described as a “rose in Nigeria’s garden” following his passing.
Reflecting on his relationship with the late statesman, a legal professional recalled his first encounter with Chief Clark in 2021, facilitated by the Attorney-General of Ondo State, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN. The meeting took place at Chief Clark’s residence in Abuja, where he shared his deep knowledge of Nigeria’s history and provided insights on current affairs.
From that moment, Chief Clark embraced him as an adopted son, later introducing him to the Vice-Chancellor of Edwin Clark University. This connection paved the way for an academic collaboration that led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) and the university’s Faculty of Law. The agreement aimed to introduce legislative drafting as a key area of study, equipping law students with essential skills before graduation.
The broader vision was to integrate legislative drafting into Nigeria’s legal education system. A similar initiative had previously been launched at the Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University, with the support of Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, the current President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
With over 200,000 lawyers in Nigeria, the hope remains that more legal professionals will step forward to support curriculum development and legal education reform.
Describing Chief Clark’s passing as a great loss, the tribute concluded with a heartfelt farewell: “The garden of Nigeria has just lost one rose. Adieu, Papa.”
