society
BLOWN OUT LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND: A TRIBUTE TO INNOCENT CHUKWUMA
BLOWN OUT LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND: A TRIBUTE TO INNOCENT CHUKWUMA
The death of Innocent Chukwuma hit the airwaves early on Easter Sunday, 4th April 2021. Coming after the sudden death of another illustrious activist, Yinka Odumakin on 2nd April, 2021, news of the death of Innocent the next day suggested that fate was being unfair to Nigeria taking away two patriotic and eminent Nigerian activists – Odumakin on Friday and Innocent on Saturday. The sun set for both in a most inauspicious time and prime, mid-50s.
I was a bit close to Innocent Chukwuma within the civil society and development agitation space. Long before Innocent became the Regional Director for West Africa Office of Ford Foundation our paths had crossed in a number of civil society projects including serving as joint consultants for DFID in 2008 to design one of its development intervention projects in Nigeria. More recently, Innocent as leader of the Ford Foundation office for West Africa, partnered with the MacArthur Foundation led by Kole Shettima and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) led by Jude Ilo to support the Buhari government anti-corruption agenda especially the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) in which I served as Member/Executive Secretary from 2015 to 2019, before assuming my current position. Without that strategic funding support from the three notable donor agencies, PACAC and indeed the lift up of the government’s anti-corruption drive would have remained a theoretical idea for quite some time.
That Innocent was eventually ambushed by unexpected leukemia a health challenge that sneaked behind global focus and attention to COVID-19 is indicative of the providential and domineering hand of fate in the affairs of men. Just this January 2021, he finished strong at Ford Foundation as immediate past Regional Director and had concluded plans to proceed to Oxford in the UK for a fellowship program. Indeed, his former position at Ford Foundation is yet to be filled by a substantive director before the cold hands of death snatched him.
In celebration of that milestone service at Ford Foundation, a memorable virtual send-forth was organised for him Friday 29th January 2021. The event revealed that he was a man associated with many firsts having being part of Civil Liberties Organisation unarguably Nigeria’s first human rights organization, from there he set up CLEEN Foundation one of the first African CSOs to focus on security, public safety and justice. CLEEN led the advocacy for community policing that has now become one of the inevitable solutions to Nigeria’s current security challenges. He used his gift, knowledge and leverage within the civil society space to lift and mentor a number of other activists and organizations often working behind the scene but nevertheless ensuring impact with his eyes on the ultimate goal of democratic sustainability and the development agenda.
Most recently, the Ford Foundation provided support to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to advance its prevention work around illicit financial flows and associated corruption and money laundering and strengthen its capacity to investigate and prosecute allegations of sexual harassment as abuse of power especially in the public service and tertiary institutions.
While eulogies will not resurrect the dead, contributions to national development will remain indelible and undeniable. We can only be remembered by what we have done. This ought to, in the minimum, motivate the living to carefully number our days so we may daily apply our hearts to wisdom. Innocent has left footprints in the sands of time especially here in Nigeria and in Africa. But, it has pleased God that service at Ford Foundation would be the terminal point of his earthly sojourn. Without notice, he suddenly reached his “Bus Stop” and disembarked! Fading away like the star of early morning and a lighted candle “mistakenly” left in the open and blown out by the wind. Who can question that? As the popular saying goes, “Quo sera sera” “What will be, will be.” For those left to mourn and reflect these mysteries, we ought to remind ourselves frequently – for whom does the bell toll? The answer as they say “is blowing in the wind”.
I extend my condolences to Josephine, the children, extended family, friends and colleagues especially in the civil society space. May God comfort all with words that human minds cannot fathom.
Adieu, Innocent the son of Chukwuma dear friend and brother.
*Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye SAN,*
Chairman, ICPC
society
RAMADAN CHARITY: TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION AND UFAM HOLDINGS LTD EXTEND FOOD RELIEF TO MANDO COMMUNITY
*RAMADAN CHARITY: TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION AND UFAM HOLDINGS LTD EXTEND FOOD RELIEF TO MANDO COMMUNITY*
In a remarkable display of compassion and community support, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation, in collaboration with UFAM Holdings Ltd, successfully distributed food relief to over 1,000 less privileged individuals in the Mando community, Afaka, Igabi, Kaduna State, as part of the Ramadan celebrations.
The initiative, aimed at alleviating hunger during this sacred month, saw community members receiving essential food items to ensure they can observe Ramadan with dignity and sustenance. The distribution took place at the Skill Acquisition Centre, where beneficiaries gathered to collect their food packages.
During the event, the Deputy Chief Imam of Mando Central Mosque, Sheikh Bashir Adam Saleh Algoni, expressed his gratitude for the philanthropic effort. “We appreciate this gesture immensely,” he stated. He urged the public to keep the Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Amb Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, in their prayers, acknowledging his ongoing commitment to helping the less privileged. He also highlighted the contributions of UFAM Holdings Ltd, urging support for their charitable endeavors.
Beneficiaries of the food relief expressed their profound gratitude, offering prayers for Allah’s blessings on both the foundation and the company for their generous assistance during this holy month.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency Amb Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR Rtd, former Chief of Army Staff and Grand Patron of the Foundation, who was represented by Col Haruna Idris Zaria Rtd, thanked the public for their continuous prayers. He emphasized the importance of using the month of Ramadan to pray for the betterment of the country and an end to the insecurity plaguing the nation. He also urged the community to support and pray for security agencies, recognizing their sacrifices in maintaining peace and safety.
This charitable initiative not only highlights the spirit of Ramadan but also reinforces the importance of community solidarity and mutual support during challenging times.
society
Obi’s Reform Agenda Rekindles Scrutiny of Nigeria’s Political Wealth
Obi’s Reform Agenda Rekindles Scrutiny of Nigeria’s Political Wealth
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Momodu’s remarks spotlight elite affluence as analysts warn of resistance to cost-cutting reforms.”
Prominent publisher and politician Dele Momodu has reignited debate over the vast wealth attributed to sections of Nigeria’s political class, asserting publicly that certain politicians could raise as much as $500 million at short notice to secure presidential power. Though no names were mentioned, the claim has sharpened national conversations about transparency, accountability, and the true cost of governance.
Nigeria’s persistent struggle with corruption is well documented by bodies such as Transparency International, whose global assessments frequently rank the country low on public sector integrity. The optics of expansive private mansions, luxury assets, and foreign-based lifestyles among political families continue to fuel public suspicion, particularly in a nation grappling with inflation, debt pressures, and widespread poverty.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of reform advocacy by Peter Obi, who has consistently argued for cutting governance costs and institutionalizing fiscal discipline. Political economist Professor Pat Utomi maintains that entrenched elites often resist structural reform, describing elite capture as a systemic barrier to democratic accountability. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has similarly warned that democracy without transparency breeds cynicism and instability.
While no specific officeholders have been formally indicted in connection with Momodu’s remarks, the broader issue remains potent: public demand for principled leadership is rising, and scrutiny of political wealth is unlikely to fade as future elections approach.
society
Obi Would Defeat Even Jesus at the Polls”: Viral Remark Sparks Political Debate Online
“Obi Would Defeat Even Jesus at the Polls”: Viral Remark Sparks Political Debate Online
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
A viral statement by a prominent supporter of former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has ignited widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. The supporter, popularly known as Mama Pee, declared during a live social media broadcast earlier this week that “If Jesus comes down to contest in Nigeria, Obi go win am,” a remark intended to emphasize Obi’s perceived popularity among his core supporters.
The comment, which surfaced on X and Facebook, quickly generated sharp responses from supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While many Labour Party loyalists defended the statement as political exaggeration, critics described it as reflective of growing personality-driven politics.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and placed third according to official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, has not issued any public response to the remark.
The episode underscores the continued intensity of political engagement following the 2023 general elections, with online discourse increasingly shaping narratives around Nigeria’s evolving democratic space.
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