On the track of Julius Agwu’s book

JULY 17, 2013  

Julius Agwu

Fans of popular comedian, Julius Agwu, and other literary enthusiasts had an insight into his past and development of his artistry recently, when his autobiography, Jokes Apart – How Did I Get Here?was discussed at the Rainbow Book Club’s Book of the Month session.

The event held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State considered the ability to turn entertainment into a lucrative profession, as Agwu’s story exemplifies.

Jokes Apart is an exposé on a man who had a keen awareness of his gift for entertaining from a young age. As a child, his talent often landed him in trouble with his parents. A self-described ‘rascal’, Agwu acknowledges his tendency toward rebellion, setting him apart from his siblings. This daring attitude however turned him into the entertainment businessman he is today. Agwu often tries to capture one’s attention by using everyday English with smatterings of pidgin which gives a sense that he is speaking directly to the reader.

A statement from Rainbow Book indicates that the session focused on why creative artists like Julius Agwu increasingly get popular in the society.

“Answers varied, with members suggesting that greater access to information means that the failings of otherwise highly esteemed members of society are now out in the open and are thus a great source of material for jokes.  A lack of employment also forces people to tap into previously undiscovered talents to make a living. All these contribute to a thriving creative economy in Nigeria, observable in an increased patronage of Theatre Arts courses,” it notes.