A fiery and emotionally charged sermon by the Archbishop of Bendel Province, Rt. Rev. Cyril Odutemu, became the highlight of the funeral of elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, as he delivered a blunt and uncompromising message on corruption, leadership failure, and the spiritual decay plaguing Nigeria.
The high-profile funeral, held in Kiagbodo, Delta State, was attended by an array of dignitaries including serving state governors, the President of the Senate, and other top government officials, traditional rulers, clergy, and prominent Nigerians.
But it was Archbishop Odutemu’s fearless homily that stole the spotlight.
Speaking before the distinguished audience, the Archbishop did not mince words, declaring that Nigerians must urgently repent and turn to God before it is too late.
“All these things we are doing—God will judge us. Starting with me. Starting with the judge,” he thundered, drawing murmurs from the crowd.
He condemned the greed and dishonesty of both leaders and citizens, describing the nation’s moral crisis as a burden even clerics are struggling to bear.
“I keep telling you people, this white hair I’m growing now—I am too young to have white hair. It’s the stress of Nigeria,” he lamented.
The Archbishop decried the rising number of people seeking charity from the church daily, despite Nigeria’s immense natural wealth.
“Every day, over 100 people are in the Bishop’s Court, in the Archbishop’s Palace, requesting charity. Why will I not grow white hair?” he asked. “When the crude oil from Nigeria can make every citizen live properly—they give us fake data while the thieves live among us.”
He urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu, not for politics, but for the good of the nation.
“Nigerians should pray for Tinubu, encourage him. I want him to succeed. If he succeeds, my burden will be less.”
Odutemu also took aim at the misuse of religious offerings and projects built with corrupt money.
“I said I would tell the people to build a new church in Kiagbodo. But if they build the church with corrupt money, will God be there?”
He warned against hypocrisy and token religious gestures that are not backed by genuine repentance.
“If they give the Archbishop a brown envelope in dollars or pounds—has God noticed the gift? If they raise the whole world but their hearts are far from God—is He glorified?”
Quoting from Matthew 6:33, he reminded mourners to seek spiritual priorities first.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and every other thing shall be added unto you.”
He issued a passionate call to all present:
“The best gift you can give to Ikeclek, the best gift you can give to God today, is to repent and give your soul. Know that judgment is coming.”
Cautioning the current generation not to destroy the legacy built by past leaders, he said:
“The name you are destroying now—some people built it. If you destroy it, the generation coming after you will blame you.”
The service ended with a solemn charge to the nation:
“Unto Him who is able to preserve the righteous be all glory, dominion, honour and praise—both now and forevermore.”
