What's Hot?
Cameroon: A Tourist Destination That Combines Natural And...
Davido Credits Highlife Legend Bright Chimezie As Inspiration...
New Museum In Rotterdam Looks At Migration Through...
Tourism Leaders See Saudi Arabia Becoming Top 5...
How Tom Cruise Nearly Met His End On...
Joy Mojisola Raimi Begins Her Miss World 2025...
Ageless Beauty Contest: South African Grannies Strut The...
Davido Addresses “Rich Kid” Stigma, Claims It Fuels...
AFRIMA 2025: AU Announces Lagos Host City
‘Noradala’: Centuries-Old Fishing Festival In Guinea Still Going...
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
The Culture Newspaper
TCN Literati

Three Decades Of Nollywood: Scholars, Literary Enthusiasts Hail Ayorinde’s Book

by Eva Irewole February 9, 2023
by Eva Irewole February 9, 2023

A number of well- respected scholars, academics and literary enthusiasts across the world have hailed the latest book by a veteran journalist, film critic and movie aficionado, Steve Ayorinde.

The book, ’30: Three Decades Of The New Nigerian Cinema – A Bystander’s Verdict’ is being distributed globally in print (hard cover and paperback) and on kindle by Amazon.

The book is also available on Lulu and Smashwords for global buyers; and on Okadabooks in Nigeria.

The book, Ayorinde’s fourth, celebrates the new Nigerian cinema, famously known as Nollywood, by focusing on the movies, actors, directors and landmark events that made huge impact on the industry in the last 30 years.

Here are some of the remarkable comments by well-acclaimed scholars on why Ayorinde’s latest book is a great addition to the growing body of work on the dynamic film industry in Nigeria:

(Some of these remarks had appeared as blurb on the back page of the colourful, well,illustrated book).

This is a work of admirable sensitivity and intelligence. At a time when the history of Nigerian cinema seems to be no more than what is available to stream on a mobile phone, Steve Ayorinde provides a comprehensive account spanning decades, reminding us of mostly forgotten, though memorable, moments and personalities. Historic and cleverly historical, the book has the additional value of showing the multiple dimensions of a film – everything there is to see, the persistence of vision!
– Dr. Akin Adesokan
Author of “Everything Is Sampled: Digital and Print Mediations in African Arts and Letters”

A splendid documentation of the Nollywood voyage, taking us on a jive through the choicest Nigerian movies of all times. A truly riveting read that promises to be the favourite of every Nigerian film enthusiast.
– Tosin Tume (PhD)
Playwright, Theatre Creator & Scholar, Rhodes University, South Africa/Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

A visually-pleasing and capacious account of Africa’s most dominant storytelling medium, 30: Three Decades Of The New Nigerian Cinema curates a historical and vibrant archive that explores the past, present, and future of Nollywood. Steve Ayorinde was present at the first enunciatory moments of the industry. He is here thirty years later, excavating the most special images and narratives that honour what is fiercely memorable and rambunctious about Nigerian filmmaking. There is a succinct yet solid sense of history here and it is refreshing in a country that loves to forget.
– James Yeku
Assistant Professor of African Digital Humanities, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA

In ‘Three Decades of the New Nigerian Cinema’, Steve Ayorinde presents a remarkable range of talents, movies and events that have defined the vibrant and self-styled Nigerian motion picture industry dubbed Nollywood. The book provides an absorbing overview of Nollywood’s journey here through the lives and works of practitioners that have offered us enthralling movie experience that has continued to fascinate generations. Written with infectious passion, wit and insight, the book is beautifully illustrated and fact-filled.
– Shaibu Husseini, PhD
Film Scholar/Culture Journalist

It’s a very important addition to the annals of filmmaking in Nigeria. I am not sure there has been a more comprehensive chronicle. It’s simply a pacesetter, and will be much consulted by those who intend to document the advent of Nollywood and its progress.
The content is well-organized and touches on the epochs (of filmmaking in Nigeria) and all the players who “made it happen”. I also love the “commentary-like” language.
– Olanrewaju Kayode
Literary Enthusiast, Publisher & Book Editor

Part of Journalism is the ability to keep journals and the retrieval of materials saved for appropriate times. Steve Ayorinde in 30: Three Decades of the new Nigerian Cinema has put out a resource material that will serve generations to come. Those who can feel the pain of putting this kind of work together are those whose vocation is documentation and dissemination of relevant information. Though Ayorinde frames himself as a bystander, I will say his verdict is in sharp focus just like the images in the book and lines that evoke memories of time past.
I recommend this book to all consumers of Nigerian Cinema who are interested in how the producers got to where they are now.
– Kole Odutola (PhD Media Studies)
Senior Lecturer, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

Steve Ayorinde’s experience and dynamic relationship with the Nigerian film industry from an enthusiastic observer to a commissioner of arts and culture, with several key functions in between has yielded a unique book written with candid dedication and unequalled insight. In 30: Three decades of the New Nigerian Cinema…, he melds historical accounts of the industry’s forerunners and events with contemporary ones to produce at once a fascinating tribute to film people and an implicit charge for more documentation. The book corrects, eulogizes, honours and complicates film history from an insider’s perspective leaving its reader enlightened and yearning for more. Anyone with an interest in Nollywood will find this book a delightful and powerful read, a toolkit, and an indispensable launchpad for a deeper study of Africa’s largest and most respected film industry.

READ More  Ososa Festipreneurship Promotion Will Improve GDP of Ogun, Nigeria - Abiodun

For an industry the size of Nollywood, which creates entertainment and wealth, produces stars and fan cultures, redefines cinema-going and repositions the creative industries in Africa, the amount of industry-driven books is negligible. Most of the work has been left to academics who by virtue of their target audience and purpose, exclude the general public including the practitioners they write about. That is why Steve Ayorinde’s new book, written from a close observer’s standpoint, is of critical importance to both the industry and academia. Local and international enthusiasts of Nollywood will devour its contents and yearn for more similar accounts. It is my wish that at the launch of this book, someone will commission thirty (to honour Ayorinde’s title) writing projects on Nollywood.
– Dr Añulika Agina
Associate Professor, Media Studies, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos

As cultural fields evolve from their foundational basics to glorious successes as an industry, they draw more serious and sustained attention from the practitioners, stakeholders, bystanders, and consumers. This book, 30: Three Decades Of The New Nigerian Cinema, marks a significant milestone in the study or showcasing of the content and facilitators of the Nigerian film industry popularly known as Nollywood. Through a series of often stunning photographs and brief informative textual annotations, Steve Ayorinde ironically proves that he is more than “a bystander” in the evolution of Nollywood. The author draws from his vast knowledge of the field and his background as an artist, journalist, and cultural administrator to curate beautiful and sometimes sad snapshots of three decades of Nigerian the film industry. The result is a volume that although non-comprehensive in its coverage, combines elements of a standard coffee-table compendium and showbiz light-hearted entertainment in parading some of the most important people and films associated with Nollywood. Besides, given the book’s contribution to the ongoing debate on the origins of Nollywood, it promises to be controversial as the jury is still out on the matter. Against this backdrop, this book will prove useful to all those interested in the sensational new Nigerian cinema—filmmakers, performers, students, scholars, and the public.
— Nduka Otiono
Director of the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University and President of the Canadian Association of African Studies.

ayorindesbookdecadesenthusiastsfeaturedhailliterarynollywoodofokada booksscholarsstev ayorindethreethree decade of nollywood
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
Eva Irewole

previous post
Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses In Two Categories
next post
From Peace To Nollywood: Towards The Next 30 Years

You may also like

Book Of The Year Finalists Show ‘Incredible Talent’

May 12, 2025

NBRP, National Library Of Nigeria Launch Abuja Book...

April 26, 2025

“The Man Died” Will Amplify Afro-descendant Narratives Absent...

April 25, 2025

Hollywood To Adapt George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ Into...

April 25, 2025

Hunt For Hidden Books To Mark World Book...

April 24, 2025

World Book Day 2025: Why It Is Celebrated...

April 23, 2025

For Creative Sector, CULTURE QUARTERLY Makes Colourful Entry

April 21, 2025

Obe Ess: A Quiet Giant Draws His Final...

April 14, 2025

Mario Vargas Llosa: Giant Of Latin American Literature...

April 14, 2025

‘Dream Count’ Review: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Latest Characters...

April 10, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • Cameroon: A Tourist Destination That Combines Natural And Cultural Diversity
  • Davido Credits Highlife Legend Bright Chimezie As Inspiration For New Hit With Omah Lay
  • New Museum In Rotterdam Looks At Migration Through The Lens Of Art
  • Tourism Leaders See Saudi Arabia Becoming Top 5 Global Destination By 2040
  • How Tom Cruise Nearly Met His End On ‘The Final Reckoning’

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • Cameroon: A Tourist Destination That Combines Natural And Cultural Diversity

    May 15, 2025
  • Davido Credits Highlife Legend Bright Chimezie As Inspiration For New Hit With Omah Lay

    May 15, 2025
  • New Museum In Rotterdam Looks At Migration Through The Lens Of Art

    May 15, 2025

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2025 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Maintained by Freelart

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality