In November 2023, The Initiative for Equal Rights announced the selection of Chude Jideonwo, a media entrepreneur and host of #WithChude, as the new Chair of the Board.
This appointment follows the commendable 10-year tenure of Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, a publisher and author.
Bakare-Yusuf served as the board chair since the organisation’s founding in 2005.
Upon receiving the appointment, Jideonwo expressed his gratitude on Instagram, saying: “Honoured to receive this baton from the incomparable Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, who served as board chair for 10 years.
“Thanks to all of TIERs partner over the past 2 decades – from the Elton John Foundation to the Open Society Foundations.
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.
“We continue to do our bit to accelerate its bend.”
Bakare-Yusuf, founder of the esteemed African publishing house, Cassava Republic Press, shared her appreciation for her time as board chair, stating: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Board Chair of this pioneering organisation.
“TIERs have provided safety and community for many who would otherwise have no voice and inspired a generation of activists and change makers.”
Expressing her excitement about passing the baton to Jideonwo, she added: “I am excited to hand over to Chude whose work across the continent in the media, for young people and for minorities has inspired many over the past two decades.
“I am confident that his leadership will continue TEIRs’ mission of promoting equal rights and social justice while accelerating the growth and impact of an organisation we all deeply believe in.”
Jideonwo officially assumed the role of board chair in November 2023, marking a new chapter for TIERs under the stewardship of a visionary leader committed to advancing equal rights and social justice.
