He would not be 40 until 16th March, this year, but the year-long celebration of the 40 years on earth of Chude Jideonwo who has a record of amazing accomplishments in show hosting, filmmaking, media production and media entrepreneurship has commenced.
The info-graphics Chude posted on LinkedIn on January 3 titled Chude is celebrating aptly sums up how much he has commendably packed into 40 years, particularly in the media space where he has excelled in various positions held and initiatives led.
The breakdown of Chude’s 40 years of impact speaks volumes of how true the saying, it’s not how long one spends on earth that matters, but how well.
40 years on earth
25 years in the media
21 years of business partnership
20 years of Red Media Africa
19 years of the Future Awards Africa
15 years of YNaija.com
5 years of #WithChude
In addition to the two other hashtags on the infographic #ChudeIscelebrating, and #MadeforAfrica, another one that would have been very appropriate with how well he has done in the media is #MadeforMedia.
Though he read Law at the University of Lagos and went to Law School, which would have made legal practice an ideal career option, Chude’s major life and work endeavours have been media, media and media.
With his first novel published when he was 13, he started out in the media world formally as a Production Coordinator at Inside Out With Agatha (Giant Strides Media) in February 2001 and moved on in June 2002 to be the Associate Producer/Head of Special Projects, New Dawn with Funmi Iyanda (Miyeti Production).
Other media positions he held before the big break into reckoning included Assistant Publicist, Common Ground Production, Lead Website Publicity, The Apprentice Africa, Assistant Media Relations Manager, Virgin Nigeria Airways and Copy Editor of the defunct NEXT Newspapers.
The long-list of media work roles Chude has done over the years, which aspiring media professionals can learn from, according to him in a post includes being a TV host, Event host, Radio host, TV producer, Radio producer, Podcaster, Author and Scriptwriter.
Others are Film director, Film producer, Film investor, Media investor, Media trainer, Actor, Brand manager, PR consultant, Advertising practitioner, Book reviewer, Music reviewer, Movie reviewer and Investigative reporter.
He has also been a Magazine publisher, Magazine editor, Newspaper editor, Newspaper columnist, Board member, Academic Fellow and University lecturer.
With over two decades in the African media, building high-impact brands across print, television and online that have reached millions, Chude is now focused on creating media products and advising organisations and governments on building structures and systems for compassion, vulnerability, social justice and an expanded civic space across African communities and nations – using TV, film, podcasts and events.
#WithChude is a special series of targeted multimedia (video, audio, text, event) conversations and investigations that leverage the voice, network and passion of Chude to underline social issues, raise social consciousness and spark social movements.
Its flagship product is the interview series #WithChude, in which he gets his guests to reveal untold stories of their lives, airing on TVC and EbonyLife TV, with an extended play podcast on iTunes and Spotify.
Chude recently announced the release of a new true crime special – ‘She Stole Our Ovaries!’ which tells the heartbreaking story of two young teenagers who alleged that at the ages of 16 and 18 a woman they know as Mummy K came into their neighbourhood, groomed them and then trafficked their organs without their consent or that of their parents.
In 2022, Chude announced the launch of an international factual film studio with offices in Lagos, London and New York with the first film, ‘Awaiting Trial’, that tells the story of the historic #EndSARs protests, police brutality and Nigeria’s deadly criminal justice system.”
[READ ALSO: London School of Economics appoints Jideonwo Creative-in-Residence ]
He is presently Creative in Residence at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) where he is Working with the school to create programming and host classes, workshops and public lectures focused on storytelling and the creative economy.
Giving an insight into the secrets of his success, Chude says in a LinkedIn post “ I like work. I make no apologies for it. I think work is service, I think work is spiritual, I think work is one of the things that give life meaning.”
While adding that he also takes other important aspects of his life— love, play, health—seriously, Chude from Obomkpa, Delta State who grew up by the canal in Ijeshatedo, Lagos State noted that “a major part must be because I do work that I love, at the cost of money, position, power.”
“It’s the reason I said no to several people who wanted to ‘poach’ me from Funmi Iyanda’s show – where I was a producer at the age of 19 – by doubling my salary. Working at the biggest daily breakfast show in the country at the time with the most brilliant person I ever met to date was more important.
“It’s the reason I said no to an offer from one of Nigeria’s leading oil and gas companies when I left university at the age of 21 because after studying Law for 6 years, I wanted to do Law School.
“The reason I quit as chief executive for RED | For Africa after I turned 30 and went to teach media and communication to undergraduate and Master’s students at the Pan-Atlantic University,” he explains, stating that with the support of his loved ones, he found the courage to take the road less travelled and do things his way.
“They say: It’s not possible in Nigeria. You have to hustle, do what you hate, and stay aggressive. But with my life, I’ve proven otherwise. I’ve remained relevant across eras in media—not because relevance was the goal, but because I followed my spirit.”
When people who have seen his journey for the past 25 years exclaim: “You’re just turning 40?”, he smiles and confidently responds “Yes I am”
Since his announcement of the year-long celebration, it’s been congratulations galore from friends, associates and well-wishers who have commended his accomplishments in record years.
They noted his being intentional, keen on excellence, consistency and boldness in taking great initiatives.
“Congratulations Chude. For a man so young, you have done so much in just 4 decades. Don’t stop, keep going. Another 40 years of Impact,” Principal Partner, Omalicha Media Network Omalicha 91.1FM, Angela Agoawike wrote in the comment.