•Innocent Chukwuma
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has expressed sadness over the demise of Mr Innocent Chukwuma, a member of its board.
The organisation in a statement sent to Sundiata Post on Sunday by its executive director, Ms. Ann Iyonu, noted that Chukwuma’s demise is a great loss to the Foundation, the civil society community and promoters of democracy in West Africa.
The statement described him as a sincere activist, social crusader and a champion of human rights and democracy in Nigeria and the sub-region.
Here is the full statement :
“We are sad to learn about the death of Mr Innocent Chukwuma, who was a member of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Board.
“He was a patriotic citizen of Nigeria who served Nigeria and Africa advancing the cause of good governance and development in different capacities; as he served as Director Ford Foundation West Africa , founder CLEEN Foundation and a renowned member of the Civil Liberties Organization of Nigeria.
“Late Chukwuma was a leader and a role model to many in the civil society space in Nigeria and beyond.
“Chukwuma’s demise is a great loss to our Foundation, the civil society community in Nigeria and all lovers and promoters of democracy in West Africa, as he was a sincere activist, social crusader and a champion of human rights, development and democracy in Nigeria and the sub-region.
“As an organization, we will sorely miss him for his intellectualism and commitment to good causes of justice, democracy, development and equity.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, the Nigeria civil society community and all sympathizers on the loss of this patriot who contributed so much to the growth of our society.”
The late Chukwuma died on Saturday evening at 55 after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood.
His long-time friend and associate, Edetaen Ojo, confirmed the sad incident, according to a report by The Nation.
Ojo, the Executive Director of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), was quoted as saying: “With profound shock & sadness, I regret to inform you that Innocent Chukwuma passed away a few hours ago, in the evening of April 3. May his soul rest in peace.”
Chukwuma’s death was the second to hit the Nigerian civil society community in less than 24 hours. It happened just as the nation was mourning the death, on Saturday morning, of Afenifere Spokesman Yinka Odumakin.
Chukwuma read religious studies at the University of Nigeria (UNN) but gained prominence as a student union leader.
He was a founding member of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) before he started CLEEN foundation.
The father of three daughters was just diagnosed with the cancer on Friday night but died before he could begin scheduled chemotherapy sessions on Saturday night.
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