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Like many, my Twitter timeline was flooded by a great number of Happy Birthday tweets two days ago (March 16th), all crafted for one special person. The Man of the Moment was Mr. Chude Jideonwo, a serial media entrepreneur, journalist, author, social activist, youth advocate and my personal role model (Sadly, I can’t claim him as a mentor yet for a certain reason. See why here). While reading through the thoughtful comments and casual love-letters across the blogosphere, I couldn’t help but think of the impact this one individual has made in the lives of many Nigerians both at home and abroad, and at such an young age, if I might add. His story is certainly deserving of true recognition; one that is befitting at this particular point in time when #ChudeLove is being proclaimed across the nation. Here are 3 reasons why we love Chude: 1. His heart for Nigeria: To be frank, many of us react to our country’s issues by ranting on social media or declaring ‘It is well’ before moving on with our lives. Chude Jideonwo is one of the few who don’t react. He is proactive, or in other words, responds to problems by being productive in the movement for change. As a social activist, he has advocated for the cause of a New Nigeria as a force behind the #OccupyNigeria and #EnoughIsEnough movements. He also spoke out against injustice with his ‘New Leadership’ series which ran in the Premium Times from December, 2012 to March, 2013. Set on inspiring action from today’s generation of leaders, the articles eventually served as material for his well-received book ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ 2. His entrepreneurial spirit: In 2011, Chude and his business partner, Adebola Williams, were recognised by Forbes as one of its 30 Under 30 Best Young Entrepreneurs in Africa. This was based on about a decade’s worth of success from Y! brands like Y! Naija, Y! Radio and more, now managed under his company, Red Media Africa. Red Media Africa is a communications and content-development firm with a wide array of clients in the private and public sector. Clients include companies like Google, Oando, TraceTV, YouWin! and Coca Cola, as well as individuals such as Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and media mogul, Mo Abudu. 3. His heart for young people: For years, Chude has been passionate about empowering young people in the areas of citizenship, leadership and employment – a love spanning from as far back as his teenage years. This has fueled his efforts towards The Future Project and its brainchild, The Future Awards ceremony which has celebrated African innovators like writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and malaria scientist, Ify Aniebo.   Today, Connect Nigeria salutes a great man and a visionary who has paved the way for many Nigerians to achieve success and ignite change in our country. Thank you, Mr. Jideonwo and happy birthday in arrears from the CN team.     About the Writer: Ify Halim is a young Creative and a promoter of values through the force that is writing.  Follow her on twitter: @MissHalim
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This article was first published on 18th March 2015

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