Renowned poet JP Clark dies

Renowned poet and Emeritus Professor of Literature, John Pepper Clark has died on Tuesday, TopNaija reports.

The professor’s death was announced in a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark for the family and Ilaye Clark, for the children.

“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 sibling, around him.

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

John pepper Clark Bekederemo, born on April 6, 1935, was one of Nigeria’s foremost anglophone dramatists and poets. Clark, born of Ijaw parents, received his early education at the Native Administration School and the Government College in Ugheli.

He got his Bachelors’ degree in English at the University of Ibadan, where Wole Soyinka also studied. In 1960 Clark wrote his first dramatic work, Song of a Goat, which was staged in Ibadan the following year.

After graduation, Clark worked as a journalist, editor, and feature writer in Lagos for Express newspapers. His success as a journalist resulted in his being awarded a fellowship to study at Princeton University in the United States.

Though born in the creeks of the Niger Delta, he went ahead to bestride the literary world, getting international recognition not just for the lyricism of his poetry but also for his plays. Though he grew up in a small fishing village that had no elementary school, he went ahead not just to become a literary giant but also a distinguished academic.

Still, an intriguing thing about him is that his greatness lies in his simplicity, his assertiveness and bluntness when occasion demanded. And that was also where his genius lay: the ability to express himself and assert his views, the ability to be what he had always wanted to be, no matter the odds. Little wonder he always dressed simply – in short sleeved shirts. But underneath that simplicity is a strong resolve, courage of conviction and strength of character, which were accentuated by his infectious confidence, smiles and wisdom associated with the elderly.

Welcome to Professor J.P. Clark-Bekederemo, poet, playwright and academic who just joined his ancestors today, Tuesday, 13 October 2020.  He was aged 86. Though born John Pepper Clark Clark-Bekederemo, to an Ijaw father and an Urhobo mother, he chose JP Clark (which indeed speaks volumes about his independent and free spirit} and that was the name he was known by in the literary world.