By Ovie Okpare
The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family has confirmed the death of professor emeritus and popular novelist, Prof. John Pepper Clark.
JP Clark died on Tuesday at the age of 85 in a Lagos hospital.
NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online reports that the renowned writer whose literary works won him several laurels died of cancer related ailment.
The deceased hailed from Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. He was paternally and maternally from Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region.
He was the third child of a late Ijaw and Urhobo popular businessman, Chief Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo.
Late JP Clark was a younger brother to elder statesman and former minister of information, Chief Edwin Clark.
The family in a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark and Mr. Ilaye Clark (for the children) said the late playwright died in the presence of family members including his children.
ALSO READ: UPDATED: Renowned Nigerian Playwright, Prof. JP Clark, Dies At 85
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 on to the great beyond in comfort of his wife, children and siblings, around him.
“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”
