As part of its contribution to nation building, a youth-led organisation, Made in Nigeria Youth Project on May 29, 2014 held the second edition of its prestigious gathering of young change makers and global shapers to come out of Nigeria tagged: “Made in Nigeria Youth Conference 2014.”

RED Managing Partner; Chude Jideonwo joined other young African leaders like Japheth Omojuwa, Akin Akintayo, Jimi Tewe, Leke Aladekoba, Koffi and  Olamide Olabisi to speak and re-ignite the will for nation building, national re-birth and paradigm shift in its audience.

The event which held at The Rehoboth, 31 Moloney, Onikan, Lagos  was convened and hosted by Adedeji Alebiosu.

Joining the #BringBackOurGirls and movement and ensuring the conversation is not forgotten; celebrities and dignitaries at the launch of Chude Jideonwo’s book ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation’ lit a candle and raised cards in solidarity with the missing Chibok girls.

The personalities who marched out accompanied by Timi Dakolo singing ‘There’s a Cry’ were Obiageli Ezekwesili, Mo Abudu, Funmi Iyanda, Ishmael Ibrahim, Omoni Oboli, Julius Agwu, Linda Ikeji, Gbemi Olateru, Adesewa Josh, Yemi Adamolekun, Denrele, Toke Makinwa, Vector, Kola Oyeneyin, Monalisa Chinda, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Adebola Williams, Adaure Achumba.

See photo below.

Media entrepreneur and young African leader, Chude Jideonwo has kicked off the global tour for his new book. A book reading for the book, Are We the Turning Point Generation? held on Saturday, 17 May 2014 at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The event, which attracted young leaders from across Africa, was hosted by Media Advocacy and Development Initiative (MADinitiative)

“I was starting to give up on Africa but after this reading I am challenged,” said Mahlatse Masimene, from South Africa. “This is further an evidence that Africa is the future – I am so happy I heard these words,” said Rosina Mabapa a student of Wits University, who also attended the event.

This book reading officially kick off the book tour which will span major world cities including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Berlin, London, Washington DC & New York taking the message the book shares to young African leaders and change-makers the world over.

“Are We The Turning Point Generation? Is a collection of essays written by renowned entrepreneur and young leader, Chude Jideonwo. The book aptly captures the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges.

The book will be launched in Lagos at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday, 25 May.

As entrepreneur and young African leader, Chude Jideonwo gets set to launch his new book, Are We The Turning Point Generation? In Lagos on Sunday, 25 May – the reviews have already begun to come in, and it is all-high praise for the book published by Farafina, and its author.

The thought-provoking book, a collection of essays written by renowned entrepreneur and young leader, Chude Jideonwo, “aptly captures the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges”. 

Each chapter addresses some of the difficult questions on the paradox that is Nigeria. Why do many Nigerian 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?

“With this remarkable collection, Chude makes a crucial statement,” says one of Africa’s most respected leaders and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, “that to reshape our continent, we will require thinkers, and we will require builders. He is clearly both.”

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala calls it “a very important book. Provocative and tough.” And according to Tonye Cole, chief executive of Sahara Group, “Here is a young man that embodies the hope and pride that is all that Nigeria can and will be; a patriot, a warrior, an entrepreneur a leader, a friend and an ally.”

Award-winning author, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, says “Chude belongs to that rare breed, who go beyond mere sound and fury to provide unusual insight”; and actress and activist, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde also weighs in: “With every new initiative and dream he’s birthed, I see the same qualities I noticed that first time. He knows where he’s going and he is focused in getting there. I hope Africa will not waste this gift.”

The launch event is designed to be a conversation between two generations of African leaders – the brightest of Nigerian leaders from two generations will have a conversation about what the new generation must actively do in view of Africa’s development. It holds on Sunday, 25 May at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and will be chaired by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

It will also formally kick off the global book tour, which will visit Abuja Paris, London, New York amongst other cities, taking the important message the book shares to young African leaders and changemakers across the world. The other was hosted at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, 17 May as part of the book tour, where he read to leaders from across the country. 

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.arewetheturningpointgeneration.com. The author can be followed @Chude on Twitter.

Another exciting edition of the Guest Writer Session comes up on May 31, 2014 as the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF) hosts writers Chude Jideonwo and Samuel Kolawole, as well as upcoming Jazz Guitar sensation, Michael Olufeta.

The event which holds at Nanet Suites, starts at 4pm and apart from the readings and live music there will be a raffle-draw for book prizes.

Chude Jideonwo , named by Forbes as one of Africa’s 30 best entrepreneurs under 30, is pursuing a career centred on using the media as an active tool to galvanise a generation of Africans to action. 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.

His latest book, “Are We The Turning Point Generation?”, is a collection of essays that aptly capture the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges.

Samuel Kolawole is a 2014 fiction fellow at the Norman Mailer Writers Colony, USA. He has contributed short fiction to various journals and anthologies. He is a regular contributor for Jungle Jim Fiction Magazine, a ground-breaking African Pulp fiction Magazine based in South Africa. His stories have been published in “Behind the shadows” an anthology of African and Asian writers and ISFN anthology (forthcoming), a Canadian-based imprint where his writing life will be also showcased. Samuel also contributes regularly to South Africa based efrika journal and his article was featured in the Guardian (UK).

Samuel featured as author of the month for his story “Memories and Penitence” at Tea with George, a project from Desperanto and Kanev Books in New York interested in showcasing the amazing talent of writers of poetry and short stories.

His collection of short stories, “The Book of M” was published in 2011 and the collection received critical acclaim. His writing was featured in Departures Magazine, a travel and culture magazine in New York City in an Africa issue in October, 2012 Samuel is a recipient of the 2010 Reading Bridges Writing Fellowship, and aPrince Claus grant by the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, Amsterdam. A participant in the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie-led Farafina creative writing program in 2012 and in the “Accra Project” 2013 organised by the Invisible borders Trans African Organisation in conjunction with foundation of contemporary arts Ghana and Accra(dot)Alt, he has done a stint at the Ebedi International Writers Residency. He was chosen to be part of the judging panel for the 2014 Short Story Day Africa Contest with the theme; Terra Incognita:African Speculative Fiction.

Kolawole is the founder and Director of Writers’ Studio, Nigeria’s flagship creative writing school. Writers’ Studio is now spreading throughout Africa with workshops forthcoming in Uganda Johannesburg and Cape Town,South Africa.

He was selected to participate in the Writivism Mentorship Programme organised by the Centre for African and Cultural Excellence (CACE) in Uganda as a mentor. As a mentor, he was paired with the aspiring writers from across the continent and has been working with them to strengthen their writing.
Kolawole lives in Ibadan, Nigeria where he has recently completed work on his first novel. He is a member of PEN international, Nigerian Centre.

Michael Ofuyeta is from Ethiope East, Delta State. A professional bassist with the stage name Myke Wonder, he has performed at several events including World Music Day and the recent World Economic Forum Africa (WEFA) in Abuja.

He is the founder of the Abuja-based Myke Wonder Jazz Band and has four jazz singles out now titled “The Sweetest Thing”,”A Date”,”My Baby” and “Translation”.

The Guest Writer Session which started in June 2008 has established a reputation as the most consistent literary event in the country and has featured an enviable list of emerging and established writers.

Read more: NewsDiary

RED Founding Partner; Adebola Williams was the compere and facilitator of the 2014 Innovation Forum organized by Microsoft, in collaboration with Nokia, Delberg and the Cross River State Government held to drive innovation in Nigeria on 11th April 2014 at Tinapa Lake Side Hotel, Calabar, Cross River State.

The forum sought to bring stakeholders together to brainstorm on new ways of doing things and to explain how innovative solution could be used to advance the country’s vision 20:2020 initiative.

The forum not only discussed new technology solutions to address today’s challenges, but also showcased existing technology solutions from start-ups that were into software development.

RED Managing Partner; Chude Jideonwo has been invited to speak at the Jobberman Speaker Series on April 15 at 4:30pm.

Jobberman Speaker Series holds once a month and has distinguished Executives and Entrepreneurs speak on any topic of their choice and then respond to questions from the audience. These events provide an excellent opportunity for staff to learn from the leaders in this region.

The Jobberman Speaker Series is free and open to all members of Staff. Past Speakers include Kunmi Otitoju and Ms Ndidi Nwuneli.

Ezinne Enyinnaya Goodness was announced one of the winners of the 2^nd edition of this year’s national youth essay competition. Only the top 10 (ten) winners are expected to come for the award ceremony to be hosted in Abuja and our own Ezinne came 3^rd position.

The major objective of the agency is to mobilize Nigerians for positive patriotic participation in and identification with national affairs and issues as well as sensitize, induct and equip all Nigerians to fight against all forms of internal and external domination of resources by a few individuals or groups.

We are so proud of her #TeamRED

NYU Stern Africa Business Club (“Stern in Africa”), NYU Africa House and Wagner Student Association for Africa hosts the Annual Africa Economic Forum inviting the African community and Friends of Africa for dialogue on the realities of Africa’s economic growth and potential in New York.

This year’s speakers and attendees will dialogue on the theme of “The African Gold Rush: Realities of Africa’s Economic Growth and Potential.” The aim on the 2014 forum is present a balanced depiction of the current economic state in many African countries, while highlighting promising transformation across Africa. Discussions will include a look at the challenges that lay ahead of Africa’s path to realizing its full potential as the world’s final investment frontier.

The event will feature a series of panels covering topics ranging from Technology, Entrepreneurship, to Entertainment and Private Capital amongst others. There will also be featured a Leadership Fireside Chat and a “Five-Star Speaker’s Series”. Part of the speaker lineup include keynotes delivered by Ladi Balogun, the CEO and Managing Director of First City Monument Bank and Makhatar Diop, World Bank’s Vice President for Africa. The Five-Star Speaker Series will feature such names as Entrepreneur Ladi Delano, Toronto Raptors Manager Masai Ujiri, and CEO of the African Media Initiative Amadou Mahtar BA. Other speakers Georg Kell, the Executive Director at United Nations Global Compact; Charles Kie, Group Head at EcoBank; Daniel Monehin; Eric Kinoti, CEO of Shades Systems East Africa Limited; Amini Kajunju, President of the Africa America Institute, Kunle Olaifa, head of HR at Samsung West Africa; Chika Nwobi, Managing Partner at L4Lab, Eric-Vincent Guichard, chairman and CEO of GRAVITAS Capital Advisors, Inc. Adebola Williams, Founding Partner of RED and others.

“We are pleased to provide a platform for Africa’s top business thinkers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to dialogue and share insights on successfully maneuvering through these challenges, and identify best practices and opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa”, said the organizers.

NYU Africa House, PWC, First City Monument Bank and K&A Private Equity are the sponsors of the event. Media partners include Ynaija, Face2Face Africa, Young African MBAs, Made in Africa, MUI PR, Africa.com, and The Council of Young African Leaders.

RED Managing Partner Chude Jideonwo has been invited as a panellist at the second edition of LiveYourDreamsAfrica happening on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Incubator, Victoria Island, Lagos at 12 noon.

LiveYourDreamsAfrica 2014 aims at showcasing the lives of successful people living their dreams and has the theme; “Ordinary People with Extraordinary Stories”.

Mr Jideonwo will be on the panel alongside Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, Timi Dakolo and Audu Maikori.

This is an initiative by Bankole Williams.