Chude Jideonwo ‘My book almost didn’t become a reality’

Weekend Magazine: Why did you pick your generation as the topic of your just-released book? Chude Jideonwo: I chose the topic of my book a long time ago when a former Minister of Education was presenting a speech at a Future Awards ceremony, where she said we would be the turning point of our generation. […]

Weekend Magazine: Why did you pick your generation as the topic of your just-released book?
Chude Jideonwo: I chose the topic of my book a long time ago when a former Minister of Education was presenting a speech at a Future Awards ceremony, where she said we would be the turning point of our generation. From that time, I’ve carried that declaration with me. I took that to be my personal goal in life. I actually think we can be.
WM: The book is a compilation of speeches, poems, etc. What inspired you to collect them into a book?
Jideonwo: I’ve been working with young people for thirteen years now. In 2010 when we conveyed the ‘Enough is Enough’ rally, it became a group of like minds, without any strategizing. After the rally itself, I stepped back a bit to update myself on some of the things I had missed out on. I read Chinua Achebe’s ‘There Was A Country’ and Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ and I felt a chill for the first time.
I was overwhelmed by frustration wondering how we’re going to be different from the June 12 generation and all those other ones during the Western region crisis and other people that have agitated for a better Nigeria and nothing had really changed. In response, I began to first write and try and struggle with those issues and try and answer some of those questions as it affects my generation. I was worried that we might just end up like those before us and that’s how the book came about.
It was also about trying to get people to vote and protect their vote, demanding a better government and all of that. To me the book is all about the frustration that my generation and I have felt – and still feel over the years – in trying to solve the same problems over and over again without seeing any positive change. The book was a necessity.
WM: You were quoted in an interview that you are trying to set an agenda with this book. What agenda is that?
Jideonwo: I can’t recall the situation in which I said that, but generally when I say that, I’m only trying to set an agenda of passion for Nigeria. We hardly find time to step back and check ourselves and ask if we would also be effective in the change we are about to start. We love our country, but are we going to do better than those before us. So it is not agenda per se, but effectiveness, reflection of a generation for the love of the country, but with a bit more vigour.
WM: Do you think the book will bring about the desired change?
Jideonwo: I don’t think that any one thing will bring about the desired change we desperately need. I think it is a series of things from a group of people. So for me my book is one of those things that can help bring about the change we are talking about.  For me the book is more about reflection on the foundation of our engagement, our advocacy, and our citizenship; so that we can act with more purpose and with more strategy.
There is no one ideology, no one book, no one movement or party that would change the country. It is the collectivity of all of us working together even with our differences to change the society. So I would say this is my contribution so to speak toward that change.
WM: Do you think is the relationship between literary works like yours and revolutionary politics?
Jideonwo: Yes, I discussed politics in the book as we know government is the most important aspect in any society. But the book has different segments and talks not only to politicians, but entertainers, businessmen and everyone in the society. It affects all of us. We all have a role to play in the revolution that we are hoping to change the country for good. We’re all involved, just that we live in a complex society which makes it difficult for people to be inspired by the uniqueness literature has to offer to all, even politics.
WM: You have met many leaders over the years. Have you been able to convey Nigerian Youths Frustrations to them and what has been their reaction?
Jideonwo: The book says it all. It contains speeches that have been delivered to some leaders and people that matter on certain issues.  I have speeches that I have delivered to the president at least twice, I have delivered speeches to ministers and commissioners alike and I have come under pressure to communicate with integrity and clarity issues affecting the youth of the country. I have even gone out of my way to talk about corruption, cost of governance, poverty and the lack of opportunity for young people.
We equally have to be realistic. At these meetings, the leaders concerned give good remarks and respect what I say and at the end promise to look into whatever issue I might have raised and take necessary actions. I have grown to realise that the reaction they give after I might have delivered my speech is not what is important but what is more important is the action. But we are yet to see any change and so we’ll keep asking and demanding for it.
WM: How long did it take you to complete the book?
Jideonwo: The book was compiled and written in four months. In December 2012, I began to write something called the New Leadership Series which was published on some of the online platforms in the country. The main part of the book took four months. When I gave it to my publishers (Farafina), they asked if I had other speeches and essays which they could infuse in the book, so I had to dig back into previous years. Some of the material is almost a decade old.
WM: How easy are you finding the process of talking up a book?
Jideonwo: The major challenge was finding time to sit and put everything together. I was always engaged in one thing or the other, so basically finding the time to commit myself to writing it was a major problem, up to a point when I was about to give up.
I once said to myself out of frustration that I wasn’t going to go ahead with the book again, after all if I don’t write it, no-one will die. At about that time, my friends would send me emails to encourage me.
Now I’m glad I did. I feel honoured with the support I’m getting.
WM: You were listed by Forbes in 2013 as one of the 30 Under 30 Best Entrepreneurs in Africa. How has that impacted on you?
Jideonwo: It gave me the courage to do more and know that whatever I was doing has been acknowledged. It made me understand that people are paying attention to whatever you are doing and most likely being inspired. It is also an encouragement to do more. Finally, it is a reminder that there is so much more ahead.
WM: What has been the critical response to your book?
Jideonwo: I’m actually looking forward to reading criticism about the book. I have gotten a book review which has been mildly critical. I’m not afraid of people writing negative or controversial reviews. 
WM: Would you consider yourself an activist, journalist, author, entrepreneur or a bit of all?
Jideonwo: I like to identify myself as a journalist, because that is my passion. But now I consider myself a social entrepreneur. Some people might see me as an activist, but I’m far from that.
WM: Would you say your generation is the ‘Turning Point Generation’?
Jideonwo: Honestly, I don’t know but I honestly believe we can be. And if we are to be, it will depend on the numbers that are committee. I hope we take up the challenge and prove to the world that we can actually be the turning point generation for this great country called Nigeria. And maybe even all over the world.