“His dexterity in building this case (the inevitability of government) set the right tone for this collection of essays.”
In reviewing the book, “Are We The Turning Point Generation?”, published by Farafina Kamsi, I was struck by an inherent conflict of ideals and realism in the mind of a first rate intellectual. My perception of his private battles with the soul and the eventual resolutions to embrace daily pragmatism has left me in awe of Chude Jideonwo.
From the very first compelling article which advanced the clear truth – one I have long concluded on – that we cannot “save” our country outside of an engagement of the government machinery, rare is the gifting of Chude that he puts in written words the thoughts and resolutions you have but have not framed the words to express.
His dexterity in building this case (the inevitability of government) set the right tone for this collection of essays. Through this book, Chude challenges young Nigerians to pick a spot and start digging. For him, standing by idling away, sitting at the corner in the naysayers’ seat is one to be scorned. It is inevitable that Chude lets on quite quickly he is not a friend to arm chair theorists or patriots.
Neither does Chude embrace the unproven, untested and unprepared “youth” who rush in to salvage a nation they are painfully unschooled to govern. Through his thoughts, we perceive a man committed to an association with only the best and brightest.
This I believe sets Chude apart for he lives what he says and writes. His commitment to excellence in personal development and the execution of his business interests cannot be faulted. Many have questioned his “authority” to speak on behalf of youth – through his platform The Future Project, YNaija, the articles that make up this book… to those I aver that Chude has proven to be an Atlas who refuses to shrug.
Atlas was the mythical figure in Greek folklore condemned to carry the world on his back. Ayn Rand spun this tale to represent captains of industry for whom the world depended on their intellect, grit and emotional stamina to create the conditions for our common prosperity. If the Atlases decide to “shrug” and drop the world from their backs, we will all pay.
Chude is one of those who have bent their backs to do the heavy lifting needed to create open spaces for Nigerian youth. As I read the last essay in the book, “Five Stories” that chronicles times when the rush of good overcoming evil flowed in his veins, all I could do was silently pray and wish him well… more of the same, my brother. I wish you many more of the same.
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