Amid eulogies, a foremost Nigerian Human Rights’ Activist, immediate past Country and West African Director of Ford Foundation and the Founder of Cleen Foundation, Comrade Innocent Chukwuma has been buried in his hometown, Mbaise in Imo State.
According to the Secretary, Civil Society Organisation and Pro-Democracy Movement, Comrade AWA Bamiji, noted that the funeral ceremony was witnessed by notable political bigwigs and members of the civil society community in Nigeria, among others.
He said, “For sure, the Almighty God blesses His Creature with different life span but 2 days are most significant in human existence. These are Birthday and the day we will bid this life farewell.
“Today has finally brought to an end a week long funeral ceremony of another foremost Nigerian Human Rights’ Activist, immediate past Country and West African Director of Ford Foundation and the Founder of Cleen Foundation, Comrade Innocent Chukwuma in his hometown, Mbaise, Imo State.
“It’s ironic that while the presence of the creme de creme in the home and abroad lifted the spirit of the Widow, Comrade (Mrs) Josephine Chukwuma, and that of her 3 Children up throughout the ceremony, behold the Head of the family is being lowered into his graveyard. Till death do us apart, they say.
“One of the powerful delegates of the Civil Society Organisation and Pro – Democracy Movement, Eze Dr Amb Ambassador Goodluck Obi, assured this Activist Woman, who broke another Guiness Book of record by being the first Activist to marry the Activist Husband in Nigeria same year, 1997, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin was bethroed to her Late Husband, Yinka Odumakin, the Group continued support”, Comrade Awa Bamiji said.
He added that “the ceremony paraded former Governor of Imo State, Dr Emeka Ihediora, Comrade Emma Edigheji representing Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Hon members, members of the State Cabinet, various Leaders of the Civil Society Organisations among whom are Eze Dr Amb Goodluck Obi, Comrades Lanre Arogundade, Edeatan – Ojo of Media Rights, AWA Bamiji, Solomon Sobade, Prof Etanbi Alemika, Board Chairman, Cleen Foundation and uncountable others.
“Various Civil Society Groupings in Abuja, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Lagos States felt glad to have the group pictures with the Leadership of the Civil Society Organisation and Pro – Democracy Movement led by its Secretary who is a prolific Writer, erudite scholar, Political Strategist, veteran Journalist, Rights’ Activist and Economist per Excellence, Comrade AWA Bamiji and their joy knows no bounds.
“One of the dignitaries in the Church announced on behalf of himself and the Children a donation of N2, 000, 000 to the Church on behalf of Innocent Chukwuma in fulfillment of the later pledge to contribute financially to the Church Project when he was alive.
“It’s not how far but how well. Adieu! Our Hero of Democracy”, he stated.
