By Japhet Alakam

The Federal Palace Hotel, on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, is always beehive of activities but last weekend it witnessed an unusual visitors as people from all walks of life especially those who believed in the Nigerian project, converged at the venue to celebrate with one of Nigeria’s brightest stars in the person of Chude Jideonwu during the presentation of his thought provoking and timely book titled-”Are We The Turning Point G eneration” How Africa’s Youths can drive its urgent revolution.

It was a nice gathering at the event as many came to celebrate with the author, who is undoubtedly one of the shining lights of his generation in Nigeria.

The book which is a collection of essays aptly captures the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges. With each chapter addressing some of the difficult questions on the paradox that is Nigeria. Why do many leaders ‘change’ once in office? Will the present generation of Nigerians do any better than its predecessors? Was occupy Nigeria indeed a failure? Do we need a ‘Nigerian dream’? Is ‘one Nigeria’ really worth it? The launch which was chaired by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, ignited a conversation between two generations of Africa leaders-the brightest of Nigerian leaders from two generations majored on what the new generation must actively do in view of Africa’s development.

But one of the highlights of the evening was the issue which has dominated major discussions in Nigeria and beyond, the abduction of of Chibok school girls by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents and as a way of remembering them, there was the lighting of the candle for the abducted girls of Chibok and others whose lights in one way or the other have been dimmed, even as they also prayed for their release.

Speaking at the event, Hon Abike Dabiri, noted that with this remarkable collection, Chude makes a crucial statement that will reshape our continent, we will require thinkers, and we will require builders. He is clearly both.

On her part, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former World Bank Vice-President said that Chude’s life work is centered on creating opportunities, especially for young Nigerians, as well as employing the media as a pro-active tool for positive social action.

In a country defined by its closed spaces, the platforms he has created and helped launch provide some rare opportunities for the historically disadvantaged to find space to build themselves and add value to their immediate environments”.

Entertaining and challenging the consciousness of the audience to the Nigerian reality, Chude read a few of his essays titled, “we need to kill God, Nigeria is a sinking ship but we must not desert it, five stories, and 52 things we need to do.

Apart from this new book, Chude is one of the brains behind the incomparable Future Awards- which is an annual award ceremony that recognises and gives awards to youths between the ages of 18 & 31, who have had outstanding achievements(s) in the year under review. Chude is also one of the great minds behind the highly successful Y!Naija publication, while he is the executive partner in charge of Red Media, one of the fastest growing media content and communications outfit in the country. Called into the Nigerian bar in 2007, after emerging best student in Land law from the University of Lagos,  Chude has received several awards, which include the British telling stories competition, he is also the youngest recipient of the Nigeria Media merit award, wining for entertainment journalist of the year, the Sowambe awards as best social media activist, among others.

Embodying the hope and pride that Nigeria can and will be; Chude through his literary works has shown that he belongs to that rare breed of Nigerian youth, who go beyond mere sound and fury to provide unusual insight.