Media Group Mourns Chukwuma |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The late former West Africa Regional Director of Ford Foundation, Innocent Chukwuma, has been described as a trusted friend of the media who will be remembered for his selfless service to mankind, the Journalists for Democratic Rights, JODER, said in a statement.

The Media Group said though Chukwuma spent few years on earth, those years were glorious and fruitful and far better than an age without a name.

JODER said “Media institutions and human rights journalists miss a great man of ideas who committed his entire life to making his society better. In our encounters with him spanning decades, Mr Chukwuma was a selfless man with diverse interests in human rights work that included free speech and media freedom. He was a trusted friend of the media”.

The Group added: The late Chukwuma, who was a renowned Human Rights Activist, contributed in no small measure to defending the media against state repression beginning from his days at the Civil Liberties Organisation, (CLO) when many media institutions were shut by the military.

“He was iconic in his passion for peace building across the country. He dedicated his time.

A statement by the Executive Director of JODER, Adewale Adeoye, one of Nigeria’s pioneer media rights group established in 1996, said he invested his energy in promotion of the liberty of the Media.”