The Lagos unveiling of How Depression Saved My Life, the new memoir by award-winning filmmaker and media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, delivered one of the most emotional literary gatherings of the year. Held on January 29th, the event brought together leading voices from media, culture, and entertainment for an intimate evening centred on vulnerability, healing, and truth.
A particularly striking moment came as media veteran Betty Irabor broke down in tears while reflecting on the book’s themes, underscoring the emotional weight that filled the room.
Jideonwo’s memoir — now an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller — chronicles his lived experience with clinical depression and the unexpected ways it reshaped his understanding of joy, faith, ambition, and recovery. The conversations throughout the evening echoed the book’s message: that honesty about emotional struggles is an act of courage, not weakness.
Guests including Funke Akindele, Shaffy Bello, MI Abaga, and Pat Utomi engaged in moments of deep reflection as the room embraced stories of struggle, resilience, and healing. Many attendees lingered long after the formalities, sharing their own personal experiences as they queued for book signings, highlighting the memoir’s growing cultural resonance.
Far beyond a book launch, the event reinforced the urgency of open dialogue around mental health in Nigeria. How Depression Saved My Life is already positioning itself as both a compelling personal narrative and a timely social intervention, pushing forward conversations the country is only beginning to confront.
With its rising influence and expanding readership, the book’s impact is unmistakable — and its journey is only just beginning.
