LAGOS NUJ CHAIRMAN TASKS PHOTOJOURNALISTS AS THEY CELEBRATE WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State chapter, under the leadership of Comrade Adeleye Ajayi at the weekend tasks members of the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN) to embark on series of exclusive, impactful and iconic shots in order to record history as it unfolds. The appeal was made on the special celebration to mark the 2023 World Photography Day held on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Ajayi said: “World Photography Day is a day dedicated to the art of thinking and taking pictures”. He said more than 44,000 photos are taken every seconds globally and apart from that, 95 million photos are taken a day globally and shared on Instagram. On this day Photographers and enthusiasts of the whole world come together in their careers and shoot extensively.”

The worldwide celebration of World Photography Day took place on August 19. It is a special day to celebrate the power of photography to capture and communicate the world around us. From the iconic shots that capture the beauty of nature to the candid moments that tell the stories of everyday life, photography has the power to move us and inspire us to take action.

To commemorate the day, the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria, PJAN, Lagos State chapter organized a series of activities on Saturday, August 19 for members and its associates. This include photo walk, talks, lecture, exhibition and interactions. The day started with some members converging at Ikeja under-bridge to embark on photo walk that took them along Obafemi Awolowo Way, culminating at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, secretariat at Iyalla street, Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking on this year theme for the 2023 World Photography Day: ‘Understanding the Clouds’  the occasion’s lecturer, who is a former photographer/freelancer for the BBC African Service, and also former Photo Editor of the defunct NEXT Newspapers who is currently the Senior Editor with TELL Magazine and also media consultant, Mr. Sunday Adedeji reflected on the importance of photography as media profession in Africa and mostly Nigeria where there are lots of market for the products.

He expatiated more on the technicality needed for the task ahead, the equipments required as the profession goes digital and the prerequisite skills to acquire. He also emphasized on the need for photographers and photojournalists to be digitally educated in areas of online presence via setting up of blogs and websites to showcase their jobs to the world.

Likewise, Ajayi reminded the audience that the days of analogue photography are over as the whole world had fast embraced the digital world of photography. Ajayi emphasises the use of digital compact cameras as an advantage: “The days of working in the darkroom are over! The days of analogue are over as the whole world switched to digital photography”.

“That means almost everyone has quick access to digital cameras either the smart phones, semi-professional compact digital cameras or professional cameras to take photographs. In view of this, I urge you to do more, to go more digitized so that you can go many steps ahead of those of them that have smart phones but are not photojournalist”.

He encouraged PJAN members to also go beyond routine assignments photograph and take as many exclusive photographs as possible to make their works very great and impactful. Because of the complex nature of Lagos State, it is very common that most journalists find it difficult to explore and tap into the esteem of the core reasons of the profession.

“Most of them are pre-occupied by the day-to-day political activities that are being requested on a daily basis rather than exclusive shots that can earn them gold!”, he noted.

Ajayi urged PJAN members to be more professional on the job and go digitized to take the rightful position in the global cycle of information dissemination and be watchful of photo angles and conscious of adding creativity to the latest professionalism and be able to compete globally. “Your Photos angles must also be done with speed and accuracy”.

NUJ Chairman advises the lens profession to be selfless and imbibe the act of training younger stars in the art of photography. Because it could be noted that Photo News (photojournalism) tell the stories better than words only. In many cases most great Editors will always request visuals to tell their more important stories.

Earlier, the NUJ Chairman welcomed the members of PJAN and their visitors from a sister’s association, the Ogun State Photographers and Videographers Association of Nigeria (OGSPPAVANS), from Ogijo Zone, Ogun State to the 2023 World Photography Day: “You are all photo expert”.

Responding  to the brief message of the NUJ Chairman who is also the Director of Operation at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),  the PJAN Chairman, Otunba Kola Olasupo thanked Adeleye Ajayi for coming to honour this special August request orchestrated by the outgoing Vice Chairman of PJAN, Princess Alaba Igbaroola in bringing the NUJ leadership to the gathering despite his tight schedule.

Comrade Olasupo promised that creativity in Photography has come to stay most especially in Nigerian media. He said: “We would abide by all that you have taught us today at NUJ Secretariat, Ladi Lawal Centre, Ikeja Lagos”.  Olasupo also commended representatives of the Ogijo OGSPPAVANS for gracing the occasion and tasked them to call on the PJAN anytime.

Spokesperson of the visiting association the Ogun State Photographers and Videographers Association of Nigeria (OGSPPAVANS), Agboola Nureini, from Ogijo Zone, on behalf of his group appreciated the Chairman of PJAN for the hand of fellowship extended through the invite to grace the 2023 WPD and promised a feedback on the messages to the zonal, and the state body of their association in Abeokuta, Ogun State.