Former member of the House of Representatives Dakuku Peterside and chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Nigeria Ltd Bimbo Ashiru have been scheduled to attend the public presentation of journalist Azuh Arinze’s two new books, Anything And Everything Journalism and My Story Of Many Colours.
Also being expected at the event which holds on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, are the Elerinmo of Erinmo Kingdom, Oba Michael Ajayi; former managing director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Uche Nworah; renowned musician, politician and businesswoman, Lady Onyeka Onwenu; district governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Rotarian Ify Ejezie; incoming district governor, Rotary International, District 9111, Rotarian Wole Kukoyi; incoming district governor, Rotary International, District 9112, Rotarian Femi Adenekan; and first female district governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson.
Anything And Everything Journalism is possibly one of the best books ever written on journalism. It features one-on-one interviews with some of the best and brightest journalists produced by Nigeria. Among them are Segun Osoba, Ray Ekpu, Bayo Onanuga, Mike Awoyinfa, Dele Momodu, Femi Adesina, Reuben Abati, Azu Ishiekwene, Simon Kolawole, Gbenga Omotoso, Olusegun Adeniyi, Dare Babarinsa, Ikechukwu Amaechi, Musikilu Mojeed, Dotun Oladipo and Lanre Idowu.
Others are Bisi Olatilo, Larry Izamoje, Soni Irabor, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Femi Sowoolu, Bimbo Oloyede, Eze Anaba, Christopher Isiguzo, Gbenga Adefaye, Seye Kehinde, Ibim Semenitari, Shola Oshunkeye, Kunle Bakare, Louis Odion, Lekan Otufodunrin, Ali M. Ali and Funke Egbemode.
My Story Of Many Colours, on the other hand, parades among other things, the author’s encounters with the likes of President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Omogui Ifueko, Michael Olawale-Cole, Kola Abiola, among others.
Why I dedicated my journalism book to Dele Giwa, Dimgba Igwe — Azuh Arinze
Speaking on the new books, Mr Arinze, who had earlier written seven books, said: “It feels gratifying to know that my eighth and ninth books, after some years, are now ready… Anything And Everything Journalism is a journalism manual for both up and coming journalists, aspiring journalists, those that are already in the profession and even those outside of the profession… It’s, for me, one of the most ambitious and comprehensive works on the media and media practice in Nigeria…
“My Story of Many Colours, on the other hand, is a collection of some of my priceless experiences with some of the people that matter in our country. Some of my life lessons, especially as they concern my career trajectory and so on, are also captured in the book.”
Editor of Saturday Tribune, Lasisi Olagunju, who wrote the foreword to the journalism book dedicated to two late journalists, Dele Giwa and Dimgba Igwe, had this to say: “I strongly recommend this book to students of journalism, practicing journalists, persons in public relations and image management and to all who seek to understand why journalists do what they do and how they do it.”
Respected poet and writer, Uzor Uzoatu, who wrote the foreword to the second book, summed it up thus: “Azuh Arinze eloquently proves that he belongs with the very best in the journalism cadre. He delivers his encounters with the rich and mighty with the requisite felicity of language.”
The event which begins at 11 am will be anchored by comedian Gbenga Adeyinka.