Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of CLEEN Foundation, has died, aged 55.

His death was confirmed by an official statement issued by Professor Etannibi Alemika on behalf Board of Trustees, CLEEN Foundation.

 

Chukwuma’s demise followed the death of Yinka Odumakin, publicity secretary of the Pan-Yoruba sociocultural organization, who passed away early Saturday.

 

Chukwuma was until recently West African head of Ford Foundation. He was one of the notable figures in the civil society community, with his active participation in the fielding dating back to his days at the Civil Liberties Organisation.

 

The statement by Alemika said was Innocent Chukwuma a patriot, who, throughout his years, struggled for a Nigerian where peace, justice and development are attained and sustained.

 

It traced his days of activism as one of the students within the National Association of Nigerian Students platform who were opposed to the arbitrary powers of the military rule in the 1980s.

 

His life of activism continued as he joined the Civil Liberties Organisation, one of the civil society organisations in Nigeria,  where he headed the research and advocacy on police reform.

 

In 1989, Chukwuma established the Centre for Law Enforcement of Education in Nigeria registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as CLEEN Foundation.