*Pledges support for the Wife, children
By Emma Ogbuehi
Reactions continue to pour since the passage of foremost civil society and human rights activist, Innocent Chukwuma, last week. The latest tribute is from Mbaise People’s Congress (MPC), an association of Mbaise indigenes, Imo State.
In a release signed by its National President, Carl Azudibia, MPC remarked that it has been thrown into deep mourning following the death of the activist on Saturday, 3rd April, 2021, describing the deceased as a distinguished founding member and past Deputy National President of the organisation. “We are indeed mourning, Mbaise is indeed mourning, the nation is mourning as well as all who came into contact with him”, the statement noted.
It stressed that by Chukwuma’s death, MPC nay Mbaise nation, Nigeria and the entire Civil society the world over have lost a champion of positive optimism in the defence of human rights and emancipation.
The late Chukwuma had a very robust and active university life rising through Students Union politics which culminated in his engagement into the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s foremost human rights champion and trailblazer where he rose to become Acting Executive Director. Thereafter, he established CLEEN FOUNDATION, another foremost and formidable civil society organisation focusing on police reforms in Nigeria and beyond. He was appointed Regional Director of Ford Foundation for West Africa eight years ago, a position he retired from in February 2021 having served meritoriously. He was also on the board of other local and international organisations too numerous to mention.
The release added that the late Chukwuma was a pillar of the organisation and paper presenter as well as lead discussant in several MPC activities including its Annual Mbaise Colloquium and Mbaise Professionals Get Together.
“Innocent will sorely be missed for his uncommon approach in resolving issues as testified by all who came across him in the course of his duties. He was very intelligent and a highly cerebral person who possessed a beautiful sense of humor.
“We are missing him! We shall continue to miss him! His burial arrangements shall be announced by his immediate family.
“We pray God Almighty to grant eternal repose to his wonderful soul”, the statement added.
It expressed condolences to Chukwuma’s wife, Josephine and his children, pledging that MPC would stand with them at all times.
