Amatus (right) with Osita Iheme
Comfort Umoren
It was a rare gathering in the annals of the Nigerian motion picture industry globally known as Nollywood as stakeholders and stars converged recently to honour and celebrate multiple award winning showbiz journalist and editor of Entertainment Express (EE) and Sunday Express (SE) newspapers, Mr. Azuh Amatus.
Tagged, “Honour’s Path”, the evening of honour and tributes held under an ambience of fun and entertainment in Surulere, Lagos, the decision to honour Azuh at the maiden edition of the event, , organisers said was based on his immense contributions to the growth and development of Nollywood within and outside Nigeria, adding that he richly deserved to be celebrated.
Nollywood producer and scriptwriter and chairman of the award panel, Chidi Nwokeabia, disclosed that the committee unianimously chose Ihiala, Anambra State-born Azuh, for his consistent rise in his chosen career and huge contributions to the Nollywood brand.
Describing him further as a dogged and consummate journalist whose contributions to the cinematic world is immeasurable, Fidelis Duker, veteran director, past president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and convener of the Abuja Film Festival, noted that Azuh had over the years proved his journalistic mettle, and dedicated his life to objective and balanced reporting of events around and outside the industry.
This was how Ejike Asiegbu, former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) sums up the contribution of Azuh Amatus to Nollywood: “We’ve watched with keen interest how he has consistently and knowledgeably reported events around our highly recognized industry; honouring him in the maiden edition of this gathering is a testament to how appreciative we are to him. He has done the industry proud with his journalistic prowess.”
Barely one year after winning the Best African Entertainment Editor Award at the 2011 edition of the prestigious Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA), held in London, Azuh, has over the years bagged several awards and certificates within and outside the entertainment industry.
The graduate of Mass Communication has covered several iconic global movie events including the highly revered Venice Film Festival, in Italy and was recently the only Nigerian print journalist to cover the Paris, France, wedding of star actress/filmmaker, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa.
Aside emerging the Best Showbiz Writer at last year’s Celebrity Media Award (CMA), Azuh, was similarly honoured by the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) with an Excellence Award, for his immense contributions towards the development of the association in the country.