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How Chude Jideonwo Built Red Media, YNaija, Statecraft, Joy Inc., and With Chude
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Chude Jideonwo grew up as the only child of his parents in Surulere. Obsessed with books, he published his first book as a teenager. That book would form the basis of his introduction to Dr Levi Ajuonoma, a gregarious television personality. Ajuonoma would go on offer him a segment on his show. He would spend more time cutting his teeth under the tutelage of Funmi Iyanda and Agatha Amata. With all the experience gained from working in media as a teenager he moved on to Virgin Nigeria and then Next newspapers where he gained more experience as a journalist. He co-founded Red Media with Debola Williams and the late Emilia Asim-Ita. They would develop a range of franchises under it: @YNaija, Statecraft and @TheFutureAwards The Future Awards became one of the biggest youth events in the country and was heavily sought after by the political class. This would inspire the breakout of Statecraft as a governance consulting agency. They worked with President Jonathan in 2011 then oversaw his defeat in 2015 as part of the Buhari campaign. The disappointment in Buhari’s performance would trigger a backlash which sent him into depression. It was from there the germ of his book “How Depression Saved My Life” would come. Upon exiting Red Media, he set up Joy Inc and @WithChude with the aim of creating a brand of emotion led journalism.
