Investing in the Future: Triple Fun Club founder, Chidi Ononye, Speaks About His Passion for Children Development

Connect Nigeria caught up recently with Chidi Ononye, founder of the Triple Fun Club, which is a club for developing children’s intellectual capacity, building character, and instilling positive values. Enjoy the interivew CN: Give us an insight into who Chidi Ononye is. CO:  I am a very positive and optimistic person, not just in words, but in actions as well. I also believe that whatever change we expect in a larger picture like Nigeria must begin with each of us being able to say this is how I am contributing towards same. I believe in a change that starts with what I can make happen in my family, community and state. I am of the opinion when each and every one of us embrace same attitude, Nigeria will be well on her way to regaining and surpassing her past glory. I read a lot and, while enjoying those god-like feelings associated with knowing what seems like mystery to as many as will not read, believe it is the only way in this age of information. I seek to be a round peg in a round hole rather than a square one in a round hole and if by chance one realizes he is a square peg in a round hole, information is readily available to ensure the situation is addressed as fast as possible. I only see limitations to the extent I would not want to research and learn whatever there is to learn about the subject matter. I have acquired a number of additional skills from sites like YouTube and the rest but will still not rest on my oars. I am a God fearing person with a great and loving wife, Mrs. Nneka Ononye, as part and parcel of what I do. As a matter of fact, what we do is quite stable today because she has been there from day one. I sincerely thank God for having her as part of my life.

Finally, I dislike with my whole being whatever spells injustice. The simple reason is that injustice to one is injustice to all. I also dislike, most times, the hypocrisy associated with a number of people saying one thing and doing entirely different things whether in politics, religion or in their professions. I believe God is just and the most important way to emulate him is to be just and upright in our day to day interactions with others. I have worked with well over 7,000 children from different tribes and religion to see there is beauty in our diversity as long as it is hinged on equity and justice. I love to travel, I enjoy sports and reading. I equally enjoy playing all manner of games (computer and so on) with the children I work with. I think it helps in retaining one’s youthfulness and zeal about life in general. This, in a nutshell, is who Chidi Ononye is. CN: You used to run a book club for adults before your decision to focus on children. Is there any reason for the sudden change? CO: Most adults are already set in their ways. In addition, their day-to-day struggles in order to meet their financial needs generally tend to interfere with their professional development. I observed that quite a number of those that I worked with at the time had a lot of books that generally decorated their book shelves. I kept asking myself of what use are the books when the owners will not read them. More nauseating is when these professionals brag about the number of books they have on their shelves. You see, it was either a number of them did not understand why they had these books or time never allowed them to read. I worked more with the group that time would not allow to read.  As a matter of fact, a number of them have their children today in the program I run for the young ones. Another reason I shifted to children was the opportunity I had when I was growing up. I believe till date it must have impacted my love for reading. I remember visiting the then Bendel State library in Asaba to read whenever my elder ones went to the library. I remember vividly today all the colorful books that I read ranging from ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ to the likes of ‘Cinderella’.  I equally read some books like ‘Chike and the River’ and the ‘African Nights of Entertainment’. Even though these books weren’t as colorful as the previous ones I mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed them.  Well, I saw as very unfortunate how successive administrations allowed libraries to die across the nation.  Parents that were well to do became the only ones that could get books for their children to read. So, while the children of the well to do had their visions and horizons expanded through the books they read, the ones that could not afford same had theirs stunted. However, I saw this situation as a huge problem most did not realize: majority of those we tend to write off as not being able to read were the ones occupying those public offices that killed the reading culture. The result threw the nation light years behind. We are still struggling with how to get more children reading for they seem to be more interested in what the general society is interested in – entertainment.  At the Triple Fun Club, we continue to look for ways to ensure these little ones see reading and learning as fun and entertaining as well. Children are open and will rather look for ways to make it work than the adults who will give a thousand and one reasons why it will not work. Unfortunately, same adults fail to realize that while they are complaining, others elsewhere are achieving the same outcome they claim to be impossible. CN: Besides what you’re doing to revive the reading culture, what else do you think should be done? CO: Libraries should be set up in, at least, all the major cities of the country. This is to enable easier access to information and research materials. These libraries should be ICT compliant. It is obvious the role of ICT is increasing by the day and Nigeria should tap into same. Well, you know, and like I pointed out from the start, I am not talking about paying lip service to this as a mantra. I am talking about an ICT-enabled library that people will visit and use and not buildings that only open when politicians would want journalists to take pictures and write about what they are doing. In addition, schools should give reading development its deserved attention like Math and English. It is said that insanity is doing a thing the same way while expecting a different result. Why will anyone expect children to understand word problems in Math when they find simple passages very difficult to comprehend? The time allotted for reading during the English Language class is not enough. Reading should be on the time table just like Math and English. Once we begin to reprioritize these important subjects, we can rest in the knowledge our recovery is a question of time. There are a number of subjects I do not see the usefulness at very tender ages. Unfortunately, most schools copy themselves and may not even understand the underlying reason why it was started in the first place. Schools should revert to giving priorities where priority is due and reading is one of such areas.

Lastly, corporate organizations should get more involved. It is a disservice to the intellectual community and education at large when the motivation to read, speak and express in public through oratory is tied to prizes like book gifts and exercise books. Just imagine the kind of prizes given out in most of the entertainment contests and compare, if any, with what is given in reading contests and you will clearly understand why more youngsters will lean towards emulating the musicians than other professionals. As much as I understand the role creative arts play in boosting the image and earnings of the firms behind those events and nation at large, it is also very important we work to achieve balance with other fields in terms of the prizes and awards given out to deserving children and teenagers. I have given out prizes such as bicycles, electronic keyboards, hand-sewing machines, iPods, books and the rest but believe it could be better when corporate bodies throw their weight behind what we do with these children. I am of the opinion we can add scholarships to deserving children as well. If you remember, I mentioned from the beginning that I like to be the change that I canvas. As you may have noticed, even if I do not have the kind of sponsors I look forward to, I will not relent in the organization of the Triple Fun Annual Literary and Oratory Event. This year’s will make it the sixth year in a row we will be organizing and executing same event. The first event kicked off in 2008. I am looking forward to more companies encouraging reading, spelling, math and public speaking contests the way the likes of NLNG encourages creative writing. We are very much available and will appreciate being contacted by any corporate organization or group that will want to partner us in these areas.   CN: Nigerian writers or foreign writers; which one do you prefer? CO: There are very great authors in both divides and my exposure to reading and books came from a number of the foreign writers I read from as a child. However, and in response to your question, I will say I prefer writers that I get first attracted to in how their books are packaged and presented to the world before what it is all about. This works particularly well when children are involved.  Initially, I never took to reading from Nigerian writers as a result of the abysmal way they are published in Nigeria. However, with the likes of Chika Unigwe, Unoma Azuah, Nnedo Okoroafor and the way their works are packaged, you begin to appreciate the beauty in the works of these contemporary writers.  By the time you dig deeper into their works, you will come to agree with me we have enough talents in the country to go round and of the opinion they will go places like Prof. Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. The abysmal way most publishers in Nigeria package books for children is a disservice to them. It is a major reason they think reading is punishment when you compare with how attractive and colorful their foreign counterparts publish books. CN: Do you think we have enough books on the history of the different cultures in Nigeria? How can we encourage research and writing on Nigerian cultures and history? CO: I do not think we have enough books on the history of the different cultures in Nigeria. Most people get motivated to the extent they believe there is something in it for their efforts. Question is what will drive someone to write about his or her culture when there are other pressing needs especially financial? But just imagine a case where a contest is put in place to get writers to write about their various cultures and there is recognition for such. Also imagine the plethora of information we will have about the different Nigerian cultures. Also, the libraries will need to get back on stream so that people can access these books as they get published.  The bookstores will need to work as a network and not just the way they operate presently. The publishers in turn will need to understand their role in distribution chain. A case where the publishers are the ones selling the books they publish, instead of promoting same through bookstores and other events, ridicules the process and system. Authors enjoy the feeling of knowing their works are in bookstores across the country and the world.

CN: Have you written any book? What plans do you have in this regard? CO: No, in the context of getting published. However, I have a lot for children that I need to get sorted out in terms of agent and publishing but will say I am still taking my time. At the right time, I will get the right agents and/or publishers for what I have. Unfortunately, this is one area I am a victim of the same procrastination I frown at.  It was the same case with my website and video editing until I took the bulls by the horns. What I have done with Triple Fun Club is definitely not the best from me but I have put it out there to give more insight to what we do with children. It is work in progress and I will continue to work on same as time permits.  The videos, of course, should not be compared with the professional work you saw. While I await the professionals, I have done what I could. CN: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? CO: Both authors have impacted and will continue to impact our world in their various and unique ways. However, I got exposed to Chinua Achebe’s book ‘Things Fall Apart’ at a very young age and fell in love with the characters. As at then, the name Chinua Achebe did not mean anything to me. It was as an adult I began to appreciate the immense talent that must have gone into creating such a work that blew me away as a young lad. My highest respect has remained with and for him since then.