Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Tuesday commiserated with the Ijaw nation on the passing of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, describing his death as “End of a great era”.

Pa Clark reportedly passed on Monday night, at 97.

The governor’s condolence is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon in Asaba.

According to him, Pa Clark was leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the South-South Peoples Assembly, and the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF).

He described Pa Clark’s life and times as well spent in the service of the nation.

Oborevwori eulogised the late elder statesman for his unwavering and unprecedented dedication to the growth and unity of the nation, especially in the South-South.

“Today, I mourn the passing of an elder statesman, Nigerian patriot, and role model, Chief (Dr) Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, OON, an icon whose influence traversed Nigeria’s political scene for six decades;

“Teacher, educator, public servant, and politician, Chief Clark was a model of integrity, consistency, fidelity to a cause, and patriotic fervour.

“To the people of the Niger Delta region, he was their champion. Bold, outspoken, and fearless, he stood resolute in crusading for fairness, equity and justice for the region.

“His exit is also a personal loss; he was a motivator, mentor, and father to me. I will miss his wisdom, counsel, and zest for life.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta state, I commiserate with the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, in Burutu LGA of Delta State, on the passing of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, the people of Kiagbodo, and the Ijaw nation over this monumental loss. We can all take solace in the saying that Chief Clark came, he saw, and he conquered.

“Pa Clark, an astute lawyer, administrator, patriot, and freedom fighter, was a prominent player in Nigerian politics and a tenacious supporter of the rights of Niger Delta people,” Oborevwori said.

The governor said that Clark’s passing, coming a few days after the death of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, was truly the end of a great era. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development says Federal Government is considering Public Private Partnership (PPP) as reliable means to fund the Centenary City Project.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Malam Ahmed Dangiwa, made this known in a statement signed on his behalf by Salisu Haiba, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.

Haiba stated that Dangiwa spoke when he received a high-level delegation from the Centenary City Plc, led by its Vice Chairman, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The Minister said the Centenary City Project Plc, was a Federal Government Legacy Project to celebrate and mark Nigeria’s centenary in 2014.

He added that it was designed to create a smart city, attract global investment and position Nigeria as a prime destination for business and development.

Dangiwa also said that the concept of the Centenary City Project aligned with the Renewed Hope City agenda, being an inclusive city with various living options and facilities such as sports, medical tourism, among others.

He said “it is important to engage the Public Private Partnership option in addressing the housing deficit and create jobs for the people.

“This is part of the ministry’s plan under the Renewed Hope Agenda, giving that government alone cannot fund the entire housing deficit currently being faced in the country.

“This government has a priority of ensuring that affordable houses are provided to Nigerians and creating an enabling environment for PPP to flourish.”

Dangiwa explained that the ministry had received some expression of interest from potential investors and more investors would be invited to explore opportunities at the Centenary City project.

He, therefore, directed the Department of PPP in the ministry to engage the team from the Centenary City PLC for investor partnerships and introduce them to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for partnership.

On his part, Anyim called for the ministry’s collaboration to bring the vision to fruition.

He said that the ministry could partner the Centenary City project by sourcing and facilitating the participation of investors and developers, while securing funding that would enable cooperative societies and individuals to own homes in the city.

Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry to its core mandate of ensuring access to affordable housing for all Nigerians.

He assured the delegation that the ministry is dedicated to building, maintaining and managing public housing assets across the country.

The Jigawa Police Command has organised a two-week training on investigative techniques and intelligence gathering for all Divisional Crime Officers (DCOs) in the state.

The command’s spokesman, SP Lawan Shiisu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Dutse.

Shiisu said the measure is part of the command’s concerted efforts to improve capacity and fortify investigative expertise among the beneficiaries.

He explained that the training, which began Monday, was designed to provide the officers with modern investigative techniques and intelligence gathering skills.

“Two powerful lectures were given by seasoned and experienced officers on the first day.

“The first session, which was led by CSP Aliyu Umar, Officer in Charge of General Investigation (O/C GI), focused on intelligence gathering.

“The presentation covered important topics such as the definition of intelligence, the intelligence cycle and the challenges associated with intelligence gathering.

“The Divisional Police Officer Dutse, CSP Hamdullahi Shehu, delivered the second lecture on General Tracking,” he said.

The spokesman added that the session covered key topics such as the definition and types of tracking, the practical methods for generating coordinates or Google pins.

The techniques for locating and identifying any type of cell phone or the owner of a specific phone number linked to the National Identification Number (NIN), with a view to identify and arrest the criminals.

Shiisu said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi who commended the Department of Operations for organising the training, reaffirmed the commitment of the command on new innovation in crime-fighting strategies.

The commissioner noted that the initiative demonstrates the command’s commitment to improving professionalism, ensuring effective intelligence-driven policing, as well as increasing security throughout the state.