OLUTAYO AMOO

The Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria in partnership with Nigerian Institute of Journalism is set to celebrate World Photography Day with children and budding photographers to encourage and inspire the next generation of photographers.

According to the statement signed by the secretary of Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria, Mr. Odutayo Odusanya, The children were picked from various primary and secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun State respectively.

They would have the opportunity to go through the history of photography and also be tutored by the college lecturers of Nigerian Institute of Journalism on the darkroom and studio setups for photographic practices.

The keynote speaker, Akintunde Akinleye is expected to give an insight into the theme for the year ‘An Entire Day and also give updates on the current profession’s dynamism. Akinleye is a former Reuters photographer for West Africa and his photography has documented Nigeria’s postcolonial history.

Also, the chairman of Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Ajala and Deputy Director, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr. Boye Ola would also speak at the event on related topics.

The celebrations would feature an awareness walk and photo exhibition by members of GPN and students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. Some of the partners for WPD 2024 include Nestle Nigeria Plc, MultiChoice Nigeria, Coca-Cola, and Nigeria Bottling Company.

World Photography Day is celebrated on every August 19th and is an opportunity for photographers all around the world to share their ideas, innovations, and art. It also promotes communication between people from different cultures and countries, helping to foster a sense of global community.

26th Wole Soyinka Lectures organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) with the theme,” The Baby or the Bathwater: Navigating the Dark Tunnels of Systemic Corruption to Nationhood,” the event was held at Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday, 03-08-2024.

Guest lecturer Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the former two-term Minister of Works and Housing, described Soyinka as not only a gift to the country and the continent but to the entire civilisation.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, Fashola maintained that while corruption in terms of pecuniary gains is undoubtedly condemned, the worst form of corruption is that which has displaced our highly cherished moral values and has therefore corrupted the people’s ways of life.

He said, “When I was in office as a minister, the Federal Road Safety Corps usually made copies of the monthly reports on road crashes available to me. The report is actually for the office of the Secretary-General of the Federation, but I used to get a copy.

“In October 2022, a total of 1,111 road crashes were reported across the country, out of which 449 people died, representing six per cent of 6458 people involved in the accidents, with 2780 injured.

“The analysis showed a three per cent decrease when compared with the previous month but a 10 per cent increase when compared with the figure for October 2021.

“This goes to show that an average of 400 people are lost monthly to road crashes in the country, but I doubt if the insecurity which is always an issue during campaigns is responsible for such a huge loss of lives every month in the country.”

Guest Speaker & former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right) and Chairman of the Occasion & former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anayaoku (left)

Guest Speaker & former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right) delivering his address 

L-R:  Muhammed Keana Sabo, Mr. Mohammed Mubarak; Guest Speaker & former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Nobel Laureate and Honoree, Prof. Wole Soyinka and one of the winners of the Wole Soyinka Award for Youth, Leadership and Innovation, Blessed Orji.

L-R:  Chief Host & NAS CAPN, Mr. Abiola Owoaje, Members of the Tortuga-in- Council (the Board of NAS), Mr Steve Akhigbemidu; Dr. Asani Omozuwa;  Nobel Laureate and Honoree, Prof. Wole Soyinka ; Guest Speaker & former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola.

On Sunday; President Bola Tinubu host dignitaries at his Lagos residence to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

Among those that garthered Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, Lagos State Head of Service Mr. Bode Agoro, and renowned businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Lagos State governor, Sanwo-Olu shared the story on his official social media, and he  wrote, “Today, I attended a special gathering to commemorate Eid al-Adha at HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s residence in Lagos.

“Also present was Deputy Governor #drobafemihamzat, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group.”