Former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has applauded the roles played by Adebola Williams and Chude Jideonwo of Red Media Africa in the successful election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amaechi who spoke at the Red Summit Gala night celebration said he took a risk with Chude and Adebola to handle the presidential campaign and they did a great job.
“I thank Adebola Williams & Chude Jideonwo for taking that responsibility of handling the presidential campaign. They sold our candidate to Nigerians against popular opinion. They got President Muhammadu Buhari to wear a suit, something he hadn’t done for over thirty years and that was one of the biggest highlights of the campaign. Those images broke barriers and sold the man”, Amaechi said

He explained further that, “we always say God won the election but their role cannot be overemphasised. They created an impression that we had money, made the other people afraid and think we could match them money for money but we really could not. It was their creativity. I thank them and wish them the very best.”

Speaking earlier at the event tagged celebrating media legends at the Red Summit Gala, Chude Jideonwo, the managing partner of RedMedia Africa, owners of The Future Africa Awards Africa &Summit, Y! Africa, and YNaija.com among other companies said they have come a long way.
He said RedMedia Africa will be launching the Nigerian media report for 2015, will be creating more television shows like a new one coming on board soon called exploring , an online TV show among others.
Jideonwo said the company will also be organising the largest interschool class for mass communication undergraduates at the University of Lagos, UNILAG and would be celebrating 10 years of Future Awards in December.
In his words, “We are truly standing, this generation, on the shoulders of giants.”
On the media icons honoured at the event for their contribution to the growth of the media industry which include names like Nduka Obaigbena of Thisday Newspapers, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Sam Amuka Pemu, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Peter Igho, Grace Egbagbe, Mike Awoyinfa and all the big names in the Nigerian media industry, he said the gave the media industry direction and focus.
“You, our mentors and forbears, icons and legends, across television,
radio, print, public relations, advertising, are those giants. You are a different breed, truly worth celebrating. You inspired this young boy in Ijeshatedo who grew up on the columns of Helen Ovbiagele and Mike Awoyinka and watched Frank Olize every Sunday night. Who looked longingly at Insight when he was in Secondary School and wanted to join that company as soon as he was out. You inspired a generation”, he said.

Jideonwo said: “You made it possible for us to dream, you made it possible for us to imagine as far as our passions could take us, you took the path less travelled at a time when your peers chose the usual and the convention – banks, politics, oil. You created something truly special.”

According to him, “up until this moment, I remember I felt in the public relations activation of Onyeka Onwenu and King Sunny Ade preaching the message of birth control, I remember how perplexed my young mind was that every show on TV had on its credits Peter Igho and Grace Egbagbe, I grew up interesting in knowing how my former boss Levi Ajuonuma did that magic where he spoke to the camera and everyone watching felt he was talking to you directly.”