A post by Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAAC), about the late Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma, sparked a flood of memories within the civil society community in Nigeria on February 6, 2024. The late Innocent C. Chukwuma, former West Africa Regional Representative of the Ford Foundation, was fondly remembered by friends and colleagues on what would have been his 58th birthday.
In the Facebook post, Nwanguma shared a cherished anecdote from their university days in the late 80s and early 90s. The post recounted an unexpected farming adventure initiated by Chukwuma and Nwanguma during a holiday in the Umueleke community in Ehime Mbano, in their shared home, Imo State.
Nwanguma shared, “Innocent and I, during one holiday, went to farm for my mother’s immediate elder sister (Mama Emily) in a community called Umueleke in Ehime Mbano.”
The post continued to narrate how Mama Emily, impressed by the enthusiasm of the young undergraduates, jokingly challenged them to make ridges for her farm for the upcoming planting season. To everyone’s surprise, Chukwuma accepted the challenge without hesitation, promising to return with Nwanguma the next morning to fulfil the task.
Nwanguma admitted he wasn’t accustomed to such physical work, but Chukwuma’s motivational spirit encouraged him to join in. The duo exceeded expectations, completing more than six ridges each within a few hours. Their hard work earned them a reward of palm wine from Mama Emily, who was astonished by their efficiency.
In the Facebook post, Nwanguma fondly recalled, “Innocent was a great motivator. At the outset of the work, he threw a challenge as to who – between the two of us – would do more ridges. I was spurred by that challenge.”
The day concluded with a feast of palm wine and a delicious home-cooked meal at Mama Emily’s house. The experience reportedly left an indelible mark on Mama Emily, who continued to praise Innocent’s humility until her passing.
Reflecting on Chukwuma’s birthday, Nwanguma expressed gratitude for his friendship, motivation, humility, and hard work. He affectionately referred to Chukwuma as “Innonism,” a term borrowed from the late activist Chima Ubani.
As friends, colleagues, and the civil society community remembered Innocent C. Chukwuma on what would have been his 58th birthday, they celebrated his enduring legacy and the impact he had on those fortunate enough to know him.
“A great motivator and leader of humble deposition,” wrote Kenfield Anele, who, like Innocent and Okechukwu, studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. “I still remember him and Ubani Chima in my early years @UNN together with Okechukwu Nwanguma who we fondly call ‘Mr.Speaker’ as he moved the crowd at Freedom Square UNN with his oratory prowess. Rest on, Innocent. You and Ubani Chima left an indelible mark in this tide and time.”
TheExecutive DirectorConfluence of Rights (CoR) and former Zaccheaus Senbanjo, wrote: “We celebrate Innocent, a rare breed of a resilient, revolutionary, yet “innocent-looking” and unassuming achiever! Continue to rest on as the conqueror that you were—you came, you saw, and you conquered!”
For Ms Ibim Semenitari, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission and former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Okechukwu Nwanguma was right. “You spoke the words. He was a great motivator. Happy birthday in glory, Innocent Chukwuma.”
Others who commented on the post include: Abdul Oroh, a former member of the House of Representatives who once led the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), where Innocent Chukwuma cut his teeth as a human rights activist and development worker; Vivian Mma Odimma of the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE-Nigeria), and Lanre Arogundade, Director of the International Press Centre.
Innocent Chukwuma, the founder and pioneer Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, and until February 2021, the West Africa Representative of Ford Foundation. Throughout his life, Chukwuma advocated for a Nigeria characterised by peace, justice, development, and security. He played a significant role in opposing military rule during the 1980s as a student within the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) platform. Later, he continued his activism at the Civil Liberties Organisation, focusing on police reform.
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