The publisher and editor of Yes International!’ Azuh Arinze magazine has unveiled two new books that showcase the success stories of high-level individuals and the vital lessons to be learned from them.
Arinze hosted a public presentation of the books on Thursday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos.
It was on his 50th birthday.
Entitled: “A Taste of Success” and “Conversation With Showbiz Stars”, the two books are inspired by his long career in journalism.
The first book, A Taste of Success, focuses on entrepreneurship crossing the corporate world, showbiz, academia, law, and religion, among other sectors.
It features the views of respected voices such as Segun Osoba, the former Governor of Ogun State; Sam Ohuabunwa, respected pharmacist and former president of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals; as well as Bruce Onobrakpeya, the legendary artist.
The second book, Conversations With Showbiz Stars, is an interesting documentation of the journalist’s encounters with 35 leading Nigerian artists in theatre, comedy and music.
Among them are Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, 2Baba, Onyeka Onwenu, Tiwa Savage, Lagbaja, Wasiu Ayinde, Richard Mofe Damijo, Pete Edochie, Funke Akindele, Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Segun Arinze, Desmond Elliot, Chioma Chukwuka, Ali Baba, Gbenga Adeyinka, Basketmouth, Okey Bakassi, Tee A, Julius Agwu, AY, Bovi and Don Jazzy.
Others include business guru, Seni Adetu; Dakuku Peterside, former CEO of NIMASA; Festus Keyamo; Babatunde Ogala, senior lawyers from Nigeria; Dele Momodu and Adesuwa Onyenokwe, famous journalists; and Professors Okey Ndibe and Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, renowned academics.
The foreword to this 294-page book is written by former editor of The Punch and former Lagos State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Steve Ayorinde.
Speaking about the two books, the author said, “Without holding anything back, the topics highlighted in both books shared with me how they embarked on their journey to success; how they ultimately achieved success and more importantly, how they maintained that success.
“The interviewees cross paths, which means that no matter where you play or intend to enter, there are people who have already excelled there and with whom we have shared the stories of how they have done it.
“Put simply, there’s so much to learn from books for anyone who wants to read, learn, and succeed.”
Both books were described by Arinze as mini-biographies of 60 Nigerians who excelled in their various fields.
Arinze was editor of Encomium Weekly from 2003 to 2011.
Prior to that, he edited Reel Stars Magazine.
His previous books include: Encounters, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, Tested and Trusted Success Secrets of the Rich and Famous and The CEO’s Bible volumes 1 and 2.