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It was a glorious day for photographers in all genre of the photography profession, who converged at the Ladi Lawal Press centre, Lagos Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists on Iyalla street, Ikeja on Monday to celebrate the 2024 edition of World Photography Day.
World Photography Day is celebrated annually on August 19. It is an internationally recognized day for photographers “to share their world with the world” through a single photo. The date of World Photography Day memorializes August 19, 1839, the date the French government released the daguerreotype patent making that photographic process “free to the world”.
Today, photography is regarded as one of the most fascinating art forms, employing millions of practitioners and bringing joyful memories to souls around the world. To celebrate this year’s edition, the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN), brought together professionals in the field of academics, digital innovators, creative artists, lawyers, editors and students of communications/arts to share experiences on their journey in the field of photography and how to improve on its practice.
The event was graciously honoured by Aremo Olusegun Osoba, a veteran Nigerian of note, politician, former governor of Ogun State; who is also the Patron of PJAN. Aremo Osoba commended the chairman of PJAN, Princess Alaba Igbaroola and all members of the association for proactively ensuring that regular events are organized by them to enlighten, educate and inform Nigerians about the important roles photography plays in national development.
In her opening address, Princess Igbaroola emphasized that the gathering was to recognize the power of photography in capturing life’s precious moments, telling stories, and inspiring change. She said: “We celebrate the artists behind the lens, whose creative eyes and skills bring us closer to the world’s beauty, complexity, and diversity.”
Alàba said: “This event is a testament to the impact of photography on our lives and our profession. We are thrilled to share this day with all of you, featuring exhibitions, workshops, and discussions that showcase the best of photography”.
The day started with free medical outreach to more than 200 attendees, who were given free blood and sugar level examinations. Drugs were also given free of charge to those with one medical ailment or the other. There were also lectures by invited guest speakers, panel discussions, photo exhibition, as well as prices and awards given to eminent Nigerians that have contributed to the growth of photography in Nigeria.
Among the guest speakers are Mr. Seyi Lawson an online photo stock owner and Mrs. Amosa Shukurat. Lawson, who is the administrator of Naija Photo Stock, an online images market advised photojournalists to regard their pictures as their retirement benefits where they could receive royalties to take care of their financial needs when they are no more capable of working.
In her own submission, Shukurat, an intellectual property law expert indicates that photographer’s images are creations of their minds, which is also referred to as intellectual property. He advised photographers to guard their pictures jealously from been stolen or poached, and this could be achieved with more knowledge on how laws concerning copyright, patent and trademark works.
Various multiple professional personalty representatives in the communication and visual creativity world like digital industry, academic and printing. Expert in the aesthetics fields of photography, editorial and others. Like Akeredolu Olusola, the HoD Photography Yabatech, Aremo Ademola Gbosibo, Governor LASPPAN and Lamidi Bamidele, Photo Editor, Vanguard Newspapers.
In his goodwill message, the chairman of Lagos Council of NUJ, Comrade Adeleye Ajayi extolled the progressive leadership of Princess Igbaroola since she assumed leadership of PJAN, going by the regular programs churned out regularly to improve the lots of the members. He advised that PJAN members should, aside their proficiency in image creation should add reportorial duties to their itinerant to make them complete with journalists whose worth cannot be relegated.
The high point of the event came as the audience expected the brightest moments of the day as awards and special recognition prices were given to deserving Nigerians to round up the day. Among the recipients are, Otunba Anthony Isaac, Chief Executive Officer of Indigo, Gaspard Koutchica; Yemi Royal, Douye Mercy Pughikumo and Olawale Wright OmoEko.
In given a special ‘vote of thanks’ message and appreciation to the gathering, the vice chairman of PJAN, who also doubled as the chairman of the 2024 World Photography Day organizing Committee, David Adejo, thanked all special guests and members present at the occasion and assured that next year’s edition would be taken a notch higher!