Idios Creatives was founded on the tenets of giving young people a voice, without confines. The idea is to show young people, creatives, that creativity should be expressed, not hidden or repressed.
THE BRAIN BEHIND THE IDIOS BRAND
Idios creatives was conceived by Chidera Nneoma Okolie, a lawyer by profession, speaker, and the multiple award winning author of “When Silence Becomes Too Loud”, a crime and suspense piece, and “Not Forgiven”, a collection of short psychological thriller stories.
Chidera was born on March 27, 1993, the first born child of her parents. She grew up in the Eastern part of Nigeria, Enugu State, with an Architect Father and a Professor Mother.
She started to display an affinity for English Literature early in life; always excelling greatly in subjects that revolved around Literature. She took it a step further by writing numerous short stories and even novels, for her classmates to read and be entertained. She completely fell in love with the art of storytelling.
However, despite her love for Literature, she went on to study Law in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu. Nevertheless, she wouldn’t let her passion for storytelling die. So she continued to write, and a few years into the university, she started working on her first book and two years later, he second publication followed.
Chidera birthed the IDIOS BRAND in the early quarter of 2018 and has made it her life’s mission, to encourage young people in pursuance of their creativity and the expressions of such. To this end, she conducts regular school tours; she goes to different schools with her team, to sensitize young people on the importance of tapping into their creativity, and she lets them know how her organization can help. She is very strong willed about in her opinion that Creatives must be recognized and encouraged.
In April, 2018, Idios creatives sought out Children of Nigerian schools who had hidden talents in Writing and Literature. This was an aftermath of a thought process by the initiator who felt the reading and writing culture in Nigeria is nothing to write home about, but this could be salvaged if the country could successfully churn out young writers. This will ensure that the flare for writing and creativity as a whole is maintained and promoted, but will also see to it that writers reclaim their spot in Nigeria.
These young people were required to submit creative poems and Stories in the IDIOS PRIZE FOR FLASH FICTION AND POETRY. Three hundred and Ninety seven children participated and after proper scrutiny, One hundred Nigerian Children were selected and published in the compilation, The Future, A collection of short stories and poems by one hundred Children of selected Nigerian schools. A book presentation was held to that effect in November, 2018 at the NAF conference center, Abuja.
Idios creatives single handedly produced 100 young Nigerian authors with over 20 schools involved.
“If we could churn out at least a hundred writers yearly, the country will be forced to adjust and writers will be forced to reclaim their spot in Nigeria and Africa as a whole”, Chidera expressed as the reason behind this project.
The young authors were, no doubt, excited as they were given opportunity at the public presentation to speak on their works and their motivations.
At the event, the young writers were provided opportunity to sign and sell complimentary copies to guests.
“We have to keep encouraging the children, get them to read a book or two as much as they possibly can”, a parent commented.
On the same day, an art exhibition was held where children, talented in visual art, were given the platform to showcase their creativity.
Following the success of this event and project, the 100 young authors of Idios Creatives embarked on a radio tour where they were opportune to have their stories read and analyzed. They were also engaged in various other topics ranging from politics to religion to fashion, etc. The listening audience learnt a thing or two from the perspective of the younger generation.
