Chris Anyanwu (2024), Bold Leap. Lagos: Mayfive Media Limited

The question, “But who will break the kola nut?” is significant in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in Igbo culture. Her political enemies prompted the community to inquire from Senator Chris Anyanwu this question as she sought to become the governor of Imo State. It was a deal-breaker.
The introduction of the small but mighty kola nut tapped into cultural symbolism to make profound political statements. Why?

• Kola Nut in Igbo Culture: The kola nut holds significant cultural and social importance in Igbo tradition. It is often a symbol of hospitality, goodwill, and respect. Breaking the kola nut is a ceremonial act that signifies the beginning of a gathering, a meeting, or a social interaction.
• Significance of Who Breaks It: The person who breaks the kola nut is traditionally seen as the host, initiating the gathering and setting the tone for the interaction. This is a position of honour and responsibility.
•  Social and Symbolic Weight: Breaking the kola nut goes beyond offering refreshments. It signifies respect for elders, the importance of community, and the need for unity and harmony.
•  Cultural Restrictions. Traditionally, women do not break kola nuts in Igbo land. Various communities uphold this practice and believe only men can perform this act. The custom prohibits women from taking kola nuts directly from the plate; a male family member must hand them to the woman. However, Igbo culture only accepts women who are recognised as spiritual leaders (tibia), breaking the kola nut.

Senator Chris Anyanwu publicly presented her memoir, Bold Leap, on December 2, 2024, at the National Universities Commission in Abuja. The event highlighted her significant contributions to Nigerian media and politics.

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was among the notable figures. He wrote the foreword; Senator David Mark represented him at the presentation. Guests included the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former SGF Boss Mustapha, His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Dr. Emeka Offor, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, former Governor of Cross River State Liyel Imoke, His Majesty King Dr. Dandeson Jaja, Ovation Publisher Chief Dele Momodu, and Segun Adeniyi, chair of the Thisday Editorial Board and former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Bold Leap is a forthright exposition of Chris Anyanwu’s life. It explores the themes of resilience, empowerment, and women’s challenges in male-dominated fields.

There are three possible and viable routes to explore Bold Leap. You could read it in the traditional linear manner in which the author and publisher present the narrative. You could also do so by subject. Or you could pick from the many intriguing and evocative subheadings. Yet another pathway is to sequester into her sojourn in media and politics.

Look at Chapter Twenty-Two, “But Who Will Break the Kola Nut”, and read Chris Anyanwu’s account and summation. “There was nothing that I saw in that journey that convinced me that the hindrance to women occupying the seat of Governor was due to anything other than male conspiracy, a hardened and determined will among the dominantly male political elite to keep the “boys’ circle” exclusively in control of power. But it is worth recalling that a female former school principal in Anambra state ran that state as Governor for several months, and heaven did not fall. So, if Mrs Virgina Etiaba could do it by accident of history, why cannot the electorate of any state in Nigeria take that leap forward and elect a female governor?

Bold Leap is a tome at 601 pages. It offers many pages of history, anecdotes, case studies, a travelogue, political encounters and studies, biographies, legislation, political campaigns, and sociological excursions. It also covers entrepreneurship, business management, and the peculiar challenges of human capital management in SMEs and the media.

The tone is warm and friendly, making the 600 pages pleasurable. A tested raconteur weaves the many narratives.

The offerings:

Career Trajectory: The book chronicles Chris Anyanwu’s remarkable journey, from her early career as a journalist to her foray into politics. Her educational journey is first-rate, going through the best schools locally to enrolling in the pedigreed journalism program at the University of Missouri. Missouri is the oldest journalism school in the United States.

Family life. You feel the love in the typical Mbaise football team-plus family (13) and the particular daddy-and-daughter synergy. Anyanwu followed Hon Nicholas Diala (ND)Ukah’s path in several ways, including as an author and legislator at the federal level.

Women in Leadership: Given her pioneering role in Nigerian media and politics, the book illuminates the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership positions in Nigeria.

Nigerian Politics and Society: As a close observer of Nigerian politics, Anyanwu’s autobiography offers valuable insights into the country’s political landscape over the past several decades.

Social and Political Activism: Anyanwu has been a vocal advocate for social and political change. Bold Leap offers snippets of her activities in this area. Still, it provides snippets only because she has written two books that delve into her activism and efforts to address social and political issues. Her books include The Days of Terror (2002) and The Lawmakers, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2003-2007.

Resilience and Empowerment: Anyanwu’s journey showcases her courage in overcoming personal and professional obstacles, including imprisonment during the Abacha regime.

Gender Discrimination: The book addresses women’s sociopolitical challenges in Nigeria and advocates for better representation and equality.

Media Freedom and Governance: It underscores the necessity of a free press for effective governance and societal progress.

Feedback and Criticism. Not surprisingly, Bold Leap has attracted at least one significant feedback from former Imo State Governor Chief Ikedi Ohakim. He challenges her account of the 2011 elections and charges that she rode on the back of the military into positions of prominence. Maybe so, yet maybe not.

Ohakim’s criticism sounded like the typical Put Her Down that women suffer because it does not consider her years as a notable broadcaster with a sizeable following from her programme or media entrepreneurship!

The most exciting development is Ohakim’s threat and promise to publish his narrative of those events.

Bold Leap is a significant contribution to the growing literature on the media and the exploits of journalists as major players. Many accounts have appeared in the period 2000-2025. They include this sampling:

• Segun Osoba (2019) Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics.
• Segun Osoba (2024) My Life in the Public Eye.
• Lanre Idowu Nigerian Columnists & Their Art
• Aaron Ukodie and O’Seun Ogunseitan (2021), The Making of The Nigerian Flagship: A Story of The

Guardian
• Lanre Idowu and Eniola Bello (2020) Entertainment Media: Redefining Reality, Situating

Entrepreneurship
• Lekan Otufodunrin, ed. (2023) Our Punch Years.
• Babafemi Ojodu (2024) Adventures of a Guerrilla Journalist.