Mourning as Another Renowned Activist Innocent Chukwuma Dies at 55
- The human rights and activists community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Innocent Chukwuma
- The community was still grieving over the demise of Yinka Odumakin when news surfaced that another activist had passed on
- Chukwuma who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia died on Saturday, April 3, at the age of 55
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One of the pillars of the human rights and activists community, Innocent Chukwuma, breathed his last on Saturday evening, April 3.
According to close friends, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood, Premium Times reports.
Chukwuma who was one of Nigeria’s civil society leaders died in Lagos at the age of 55.
His death was announced by Edetaen Ojo, a frontline freedom of expression advocate and executive director of the Media Rights Agenda, who was a friend of the deceased.
Chukwuma's wife, Dr. Josephine Effa-Chukwuma, who is also an activist, confirmed the development to The Punch.
Source: Twitter
The father of three daughters was the regional director, Ford Foundation, West Africa. He set up CLEEN Foundation in January 1998 to promote public safety, security, and accessible justice in West Africa.
Nigerians mourn Chukwuma
Friends and well-wishers have nothing but positive things to say about Chukwuma and have penned sweet messages to mourn his passing.
Legit.ng gathered some of the reactions on Twitter.
A former senator from Kaduna state, Shehu Sani, described the death as another tragic loss.
He commented:
"Innocent Chukwuma; another tragic loss of a patriot. Death hath taken away one of the brightest. May his Soul Rest In Peace."
The governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, said Chukwuma was an outstanding colleague and friend. He sent his condolences to the wife and the children.
Omojuwa said the activist's death was such a big loss to the civil society family in Nigeria.
Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí wrote on Twitter:
"Shocking News: It is devastating to hear of the sad passing of Innocent. May God Rest his soul and grant Josephine, the family and the girls strength. Innocent was the gentliest of giants. So sad!"
Suleiman Usman Yusuf sent his condolences to the families, friends, and associates of the deceased.
Asíwájú Ọbásanjọ́ with the Twitter handle @Asiwajuobasanjo recalled that Nigeria just lost Yinka Odumakin, and now, Chukwuma.
"Yesterday ended with the tragic news of the death of Sir Yinka Odumakin, and sadly enough, today another illustrious son of the south, Innocent Chukwuma is late.
"Rest in peace great sons of Africa."
Dr. Joe Abah also reacted to the news.
Death of human rights activist Yinka Odumakin
His death came a few hours after the human rights community lost another one of its own, Yinka Odumakin.
Odumakin, who was the spokesman of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, died on Saturday, April 3, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital from COVID-19 complications.
Source: Legit.ng
