May 20, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has made his long-awaited return to the limelight at the latest book launch of Steve Ayorinde.
Ambode, who has kept a low profile since his tenure ended abruptly over four years ago, made a special appearance to honour a former member of his cabinet.
The book, ‘30: Three Decades of The New Nigerian Cinema – A Bystander’s Verdict’, which chronicles the remarkable growth of the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, was unveiled at an exclusive event at the Mike Adenuga Center, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The 183-page book is best described as a tribute to the landmark achievements and outstanding practitioners, who have defined the Nigerian film industry in the past three decades.
From timeless classics like ‘Asewo To Re Mecca,’ ‘Living in Bondage,’ ‘Glamour Girls’ and ‘Mortal Inheritance’ to recent box office hits like ‘King of Boys’ and ‘Eyimofe,’ as well as faces such as the legendary Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Pete Edochie, and Richard Mofe-Damijo to Bolanle Austen-Peters and Damini Egbuson, all featured in the book.
Ayorinde, a journalist and former Commissioner of Information during Ambode’s administration, said the book presents a vibrant panorama of the films and personalities that have reshaped and revolutionised the Nigerian film industry in the past three decades.
Sharing the inspiration behind the endeavour, Ayorinde said, “The book simply seeks to celebrate and document some of the outstanding films, directors, actors and landmark events, which have, in the past 30 years or thereabout, defined the industry we now celebrate today; without forgetting other legendary names that played their parts but who are no more on planet earth.”
While the launch was chaired by Kayode Fayemi, the immediate-past Governor of Ekiti State, the royal father of the day was Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Alare of Ilera kingdom, Epe Division, Lagos State.
Other dignitaries, who graced the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, John Asein; Director of Special Duties, Nigeria Film Corporation, Brian Etuk, and former Group Managing Director and CEO of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Bisi Onasanya, among several others.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
