‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ Chude Jideonwo asks in his book

ADA DIKE

One of Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs and leaders, Chude Jideonwo on Sunday, May 25, 2014, launched his inspiring book, ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ at the Federal Place Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

Chude

Chaired by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the book contains Chude’s thoughts including collection of essays, keynotes and so on.

In her speech, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili urged other Nigerian youths to emulate Chude in nation building.

Born on March 16, 1985, Jideonwo believes that this generation is a lucky one in terms of new tools which enables everyone to spread information easier. “We are not beholden to the same media interest that would have limited the power of our voices. We are able to communicate to a large number of people by ourselves without needing a third party. So we have a lot of tools that can enable us create a movement within the country. Whether we will end up doing it is not something that Chude can predict. If I want to become like Nigerian leaders who say silly things like ‘one Nigeria,’ ‘We are together,’ I will say yes. But like Achebe said, those woolly clichés are part of what ruins the country.

“Are we ready to build our capacity to do better when we eventually take over the reins of leadership, politically and in government? Are we going to be able to do that? Are we going to form an ecosystem of integrity and impact? Are we going to be able to mobilize millions of people, which is the ultimate thing, because it is one thing to be right, it’s another thing to have people who believe that you are right. Are we able to mobilize millions of people to match the old system politicians, number for number, person for person, vision for vision? If we were able to do that, yes we’ll be the turning point generation.”

He read Chapter 33 (page 146) of his book with a title: “We need to kill God”.

Named by Forbes as one of Africa’s 30 best entrepreneurs under the age of 30, Chude’s career is centred on using the media as an active tool to galvanize a generation of Africans to action. He is the Managing Partner of RedMedia Africa, owners of The Future Africa Awards Africa & Summit, Y! Africa, and YNaija.com; and founding Executive Director of The Future Project, which empowers young people across Africa through leadership and enterprise.

In 2010, he founded EnoughisEnough Nigeria, which has become the country’s foremost good governance group for young Nigerians. A lawyer and award-winning journalist, he has a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication from the Pan-African University. He is a Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum and sits on the boards of the Oando Foundation and Micosoft4Afrika.

In his review, the Chairman of the editorial board, Thisday Newspapers, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, said Jideonwo’s book, one of the best books he has read in recent times, spoke eloquently to the Nigerian condition. He described the collection as both stimulating and amusing as it contains several lessons for Nigeria and the nation. “The author’s style is refreshingly positive.”

Below are speeches by some guests at the event

Chude has passion for Nigeria -Fashola

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), in his message said it’s always a pleasure to be with book lovers.

Represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, he said “I have followed Chude since his days in Next newspapers and noticed his passion for this country, so I am not surprised to see the book.”

He noted that, “My generation and his generation, have to a large extent failed this nation, Nigeria, that is why there is poverty, stunted economic growth.”

He urged everyone to play their parts to change Nigeria for the better.

Chude is smarter than me -Pat Utomi

 Professor Pat Utomi of the Lagos business school, says, “I believe that if we can dream anything, we can make it happen. I am not ashamed to say that Chude and Adebola are smarter than me.” He noted that people must engage themselves in meaningful projects to effect a change in the society because change does not take place in a vacuum.

Eschew unnecessary bickering on social media -Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi

 The former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi,

Who jokingly said he’s jobless queried the guest by asking: “Are we the Turning Point Generation?”

Abdullahi noted that Chude and other Nigerian social media users that used the social media to criticize him have been quiet since his successor’s assumption in office.

In his words: “I am surprised that you have not attacked the man that succeeded me in office on Twitter and Facebook as you did when I was the Minister of Sports and Youth Development. That means you either loved me, or found faults in me or that I participated too much on social media and you pounced on me. It’s strange that you have not pounced on my successor.”

He advised youths to eschew unnecessary bickering on social media and turn their actions to what that would benefit the society.

Participate in politics -Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who eulogized Chude for his efforts in making Nigeria a better place, urged him and other youths to participate in politics.

She states that, “You can contest elections to either be a House of Representatives member, a senator, a governor or the president. It is high time youths explore their potential and vie for political offices, not just writing books and having discourse on social media.”

Hold your leaders accountable -Ibim Semenitari

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, whom Jideonwo called his aunt, spoke extensively on the need for the youths to hold their leaders accountable. She pledged to buy copies of the book, on behalf of Rivers State Government, and distribute them to over 300 schools in the state.

Chude is part of a global generation force -Funmi Iyanda

One of Nigeria’s finest broadcasters, Funmi Iyanda, while reviewing Chude’s book said she met Chude Jideonwo as a 16-year-old who had published a prophetically titled book, “In his father’s Knickers”. Chude’s intelligence, according to her, shorn blindingly, his wit quick and his hunger for life and passion for country beautiful to behold.

“In the intervening years, he has gone from student to journalist, TV producer/presenter, media entrepreneur, activist and most importantly a living breathing totem of his generations struggle with light and dark.“Are We The Turning Point Generation?” is as much about Chude as it is about the generation he so vociferously defends, inspires and harangues.

She described the collection of essays, keynotes, and public addresses from Chude as fascinating.

“It gives moral authority to the youth on the basis of non-responsibility for the present state of affairs but age is a bastard. The chronology of the writings reveal an initial, somewhat charming lack of awareness of participation and thus responsibility juxtaposition with an evolution, slowly dawning of part complicity, curse of history, deeper understanding of the underlying causes and a fear of becoming another historical clique. Chude, leading his generation grappled with issues of government, its structure, and lack of it, systems and institutions, capacity and competence, leadership and moral compass, the nature and denaturing of change given knowledge of history and wisdom of interpretation or lack of.”

Iyanda further stated that “Chude’s and l suspect his generation’s challenge is finding the tools that will ensure reasonable behaviour from leaders and the lead. He speaks a lot and rather grandiosely about new and social media, about technology and hubs. He does not speak enough about toilets, hospitals and manufacturing plants but then that’s because he is part of a global generation force fed neo liberal capitalism, a demonization of corruption engendered poverty and the lie of triumphant individualism.”

The event’s comperes, Ohimai Atafo and ace comedian, Ali Baba thrilled the audience with rib cracking jokes.

Not forgetting the Chiboks girls that were abducted in Borno State in April 2014, during #BringBackOurGirls procession, Timi Dakolo sang ‘There’s a Cry’ and some personalities namely, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Mo Abudu, Funmi Iyanda, Ishmael Ibrahim, Omoni Oboli, Julius Agwu, Gbemi Olateru,
Adesewa Josh, Yemi Adamolekun, Denrele, Toke Makinwa, Vector, Kola Oyeneyin, Monalisa Chinda, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Adebola Williams, Adaure Achumba, among others, lit candles and raised cards in solidarity with the missing Chibok girls.

Students from many schools such as St Gregory’s College and Adams’ College were present at the book launch.

Other guests in attendance include Jim Ovia, Femi Falana, Jimi Agbaje, Dr. Rasheed Gbadamosi and his wife, Kola Oyeneyin, Mosunmola Umoru and Ice Prince, amongst others.

Quote

It gives moral authority to the youth on the basis of non-responsibility for the present state of affairs but age is a bastard. The chronology of the writings reveal an initial, somewhat charming lack of awareness of participation and thus responsibility juxtaposition with an evolution, slowly dawning of part complicity, curse of history, deeper understanding of the underlying causes and a fear of becoming another historical clique