NGO celebrates Innocent Chukwuma’s legacy at book reading

The Innocent Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation hosted a special reading of Against All Odds: The Biography of Innocent Chukwuma at Roving Heights Bookstore, Oniru, Lagos, to commemorate the life and legacy of the late human rights advocate.

The event brought together family members, friends, civil society advocates, writers, media professionals and associates of Chukwuma, who reflected on the experiences, values and convictions that shaped his life and work.

Moderated by journalist and Chukwuma’s close friend, Joel Nwokeoma, the session featured readings from the biography by its author, Obinna Ezugwu, who spoke about the experience of documenting the life of the activist and institution builder.

Ezugwu described Chukwuma as a humble man whose disposition stood out despite his accomplishments.

He said, “I met Innocent through events we both attended. Despite the grand introductions that often preceded him, he was always humble.”

Chukwuma’s wife, Josephine, also recalled her husband’s humility and his deep commitment to human dignity.

“Innocent had a deep regard for human dignity. One of the principles by which he lived was this: ‘Take everything from me, but not my dignity,’” she said.

She also shared the circumstances that inspired the completion of the biography, revealing that Chukwuma had been preparing for a sabbatical during which he planned to work on his memoir before his death.

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“Innocent had been preparing for a sabbatical for three months, during which he intended to work on his memoir before his sudden passing. Part of my grief was, how do I actualise his dream of telling his story?” she said.

The event also highlighted the foundation’s efforts to preserve Chukwuma’s legacy through education. ICCEF plans to take Against All Odds to students through intra-school book readings and an essay competition.

Participants also discussed ways of reaching wider audiences with Chukwuma’s story, including the possibility of adapting the biography for the screen.

A writer, media professional and immediate past president of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters, Richard Mammah, described Chukwuma’s life as a lesson in resilience and a “can-do spirit.”

Born in the mid-1960s during the Nigerian Civil War era, Chukwuma grew up in difficult circumstances. He later became the first member of his family to attend university but was expelled during his student years because of his activism.

He eventually returned to complete his education and went on to become a prominent human rights advocate, development worker and institution builder.

In 1997, he founded the CLEEN Foundation, formerly known as the Centre for Law Enforcement Education, and became an influential voice in policing, criminal justice reform and democratic development.