By Efe Onodjae

Nigerian TV host, filmmaker, and media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, under the With Chude Live brand, has announced April 27th as the date for the first edition of his live interview concert, featuring some of Nigeria’s most popular talents in the creative industry.

The talk concert, scheduled to take place at The Palms Mall, Oniru, Lagos State, will feature notable names such as rapper Folarin Falana (Falz), comedian Abovi Ugboma (Bovi), actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, literary icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, spiritual leader Pastor Jerry Eze, and many others.

With the theme”One Beautiful Day for Your Mind, Heart, and Spirit”, the event promises a unique blend of candid conversations and entertainment.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the organizing team revealed that the event will also feature panelists including Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Kiekie, Veekee James, Taaoma, and gospel artist Moses Bliss.

Answering questions from journalists, Chude Jideonwo explained that the idea for With Chude Live was inspired by The Oprah Conversation and had been in development for five years.

“It’s not a conference or a motivational speaking event, it’s an interview experience,” he said.

“I was inspired to do this after watching Oprah’s event, which featured Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, and others. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do something like this on the African continent.’ But back then, I hadn’t even launched my show. I decided to first build a deep connection with my audience in Nigeria and globally. And now, the time is right.”

He emphasized the uniqueness of the event, describing it as a curated concert that blends music and storytelling.

“This hasn’t been done before, at least not in this format. Sure, we have conferences where people speak, but this is different. That’s why we call it a concert, it’s curated with music, soul, and emotion. Anyone who has seen Oprah’s The Life You Want or Bishop 2020 knows the kind of immersive experience we’re creating.”

Making reference to the impact of his previous interviews, he recounted a powerful moment from the very first episode of his show: “We had Toyin Abraham share, for the first time, how she checked herself into a hotel intending to take her life. After we published that episode, one of the comments on my page read: ‘I was going to do the same thing tomorrow, until I saw this.’ That’s when I knew this show had a purpose.”

On her part, Chief Operating Officer of Joy Inc, Jennifer Mairo noted the significance of the event: “This is the first and biggest talk concert out of Africa. It’s important for Nigerians, and the world, to understand what this concert means: for culture, for the creative economy, for wellness, for mental health. Some people thought this was going to be a recorded event they’d come and watch. I joked, ‘Are we paying for a watch party?’ Thanks to our partner, Toron Entertainment, we’re hosting this live, not projecting anything. It’s an immersive, real-time experience.”