The magazine, called The Interview, will be a monthly, with the major stories rendered in Q & A format and published by Banc & All, an Abuja-based content and publishing company.
The maiden edition headlines, among other premium content, an interview with former Cross River Governor Donald Duke in which he sheds new light on two former Nigerian presidents – Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan – and sounds a note of warning to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
It also features a no-holds-barred interview with the CEO of Channels TV, Mr. John Momoh; the brave new world of virtual and augmented reality; and Nigeria Icon List.
A statement by the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, said, “The Interview will provide answers and solutions to the questions that affect the lives, wellbeing and aspirations of its readers and consumers in a style and language that fit their busy lifestyles.
Mr. Ishiekwene is a former group managing director of Leadership Newspapers and executive director, publications, at PUNCH. He was also editor of Saturday Punch and Punch daily.
“It will be a magazine that consumers, especially young professionals, can connect with and to which they can look to for answers to burning questions. Our aim is to be retailers of premium content and a strong catalyst for sharing.”
In a pre-roll out comment, journalism professor at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois and Nigeria’s number one satirist, Olatunji Dare, said the magazine “deserves to be well-received.”
Journalist, former publisher of Citizen magazine and leading columnist, Mohammed Haruna, described the debut, as “simply great.” He commended the quality of the interviews and the columns.
Founder/CEO of Cable Newspaper Ltd, Mr. Simon Kolawole, said, “The Interview has arrived on the scene in time to douse the growing belief that there is no more room in the ‘Inn’.
“With its creative layout, fluid writing, quality interviews and exciting subject mix. The Interview, in my opinion, offers the best chance to revive the sagging interest in our magazine industry. It’s a combination of beauty and brains.”