By Damiete Braide
The publisher of a leading online newspaper DAYLIGHT, Azuh Amatus will be presenting his two new books, Famous Faces: Interactions with Nollywood Stars and Stakeholders, to the public on Sunday, October 9, 2022.
The forthcoming evening of glamour, glitz, relaxation and networking will, says the organisers, be held elaborately at the upscale Colonades Hotels, on 21 Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, with the red carpet beginning at 4.pm.
The 713-page books, which are in volumes one and two respectively, parade 101 exclusive, incisive and captivating one-on-one interviews and interactions with leading Nollywood stars and stakeholders captured in 101 riveting chapters.
Volume one of the literary work showcases a galaxy of 51 top female Nollywood stars, cutting across 51 chapters of the 364-page book; while volume two is a star studded combination of both leading male and female Nollywood stars and stakeholders, spread across 50 chapters of the 349-page book.
Some of the Nollywood heavyweights and leading lights interviewed in both books, which is a compendium of some of Azuh’s great works as a multiple award-winning journalist with over two decades experience, include: Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Monalisa Chinda, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Clarion Chukwura, Bimbo Akintola, Uche Jombo, Ini Edo, Lilian Bach, Chioma Chukwuka, Grace Ama, Tricia Eseigbe, Lilian Amah, Yvonne Jegede, Jennifer Eliogu, Nneka Moses, Helen Ukpabio and Nse Ikpe Etim.
Others include: Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Segun Arinze, Emeka Ike, KOK, Ejike Asiegbu, Chidi Mokeme, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Saint Obi, Victor Osuagwu, Ayo Makun, Zik Zulu Okafor, Julius Agwu, Fidelis Duker, Femi Adesina, Teco Benson, Emeka Mba, Opa Williams, Kingsley Ogoro, Chidi Nwokeabia, Emeka Ossai, Dickson Iroegbu, Tajudeen Adepetu and Sam Kargbo.
A foreword written by presidential spokesman and former president of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, affirms: “Nollywood is the second biggest film industry globally, and I doubt if there’s any other journalist who knows that turf better than Azuh Amatus…Thus, when he speaks about the industry, you need to listen, as he knows his onions. This book will be worth the while of all those who read it. Amatus has done an impressive job.”
Speaking on why he wrote both books, Azuh disclosed that, as a multiple-award winning journalist that has extensively covered Nollywood for over two decades and more, “I felt it’s very important to document and share my Nollywood experience and interactions with our super stars and major stakeholders with Nigerians and indeed, the rest of the world. That burning desire and urge gave birth to Famous Faces after almost a decade of extensive and thorough research works.”
Azuh, a former Society Editor and Head of Showbiz Desk at The Sun Newspapers, who also edited Entertainment Express and Sunday Express newspapers respectively, hinted that both books will be on sales nationwide and internationally immediately after the unveiling.