President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to civil society leader, Innocent Chukwuma, describing him as a credible voice of transparency who died when the nation needed his services most.
“His demise will be badly felt because of his great contributions to our efforts to ensure transparency and good governance under our democratic system”, the President said.
Chukwuma was working actively with the administration through the civil society organisation, Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria (CLEEN Foundation) to monitor the spending of the last tranche of $311m repatriated funds recovered from former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
Extolling the virtues of the civil society leader, the President said he would be remembered for his remarkable record and dedication to the cause of good governance, transparency and accountability in Africa.
“Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to Chukwuma’s family and civil society organisations in the country, praying God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort for all who mourn”.
Also, Cleen Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has expressed shock over the death of its founder and pioneer Executive Director, Mr Innocent Chukwuma, who died on April 3.
Prof. Etannibi Alemika, a senior member of the foundation, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
”On behalf of the Trustees and the Board of Directors of the foundation, we are saddened to announce the death of Mr Innocent Chukwuma.
“He was the founder and pioneer executive director of Cleen Foundation until February 2021, and few weeks ago, Chukwuma was the West Africa Representative of Ford Foundation.
“He was a patriot who throughout his adult life struggled for a Nigerian nation where peace, justice, development and security are attained and sustained.
“He was one of the students within the National Association of Nigerian Students platform that opposed the arbitrary powers of the military rule in the 1980s,” he said.
He said that the deceased continued the struggle as part of the Civil Liberties Organisation where he led research and advocacy on police reform.
“In 1989, Chukwuma established the Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as Cleen Foundation, which is now a leading NGO in the Policing and Public Safety Sector,” he said.
Alemika noted that while the foundation was still saddened at the premature transition into eternity of Chukwuma, it was consoled by the legacy he left behind.
He prayed for the wife, daughters and family of the deceased for a fortitude to bear the loss and strength to forge ahead with life.
“Our thoughts and condolences goes to his wife, Mrs Josephine, the daughters and the entire extended family.
“The Trustees, Board of Directors and staff of Cleen foundation will miss his imagination. compassion and humour, even as his legacy lives on,” Alemika said.
He disclosed that programmes on the celebration of Chukwuma’s death, struggle and life would be made public as they unfold.
He added that the cause of death of the founder and pioneer executive director of Cleen Foundation was yet to be disclosed.
