The umbrella body of Nigeria press photographers, the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria, PJAN, is set to host its members and crème de la crème of the society at their annual symposium and award ceremony slated to take place in Lagos.
In a statement issued by the chairman of the association’s Lagos chapter, Otunba Kola Olasupo, the event will hold at the prestigious Upper Suite hall of Radio Lagos/EKO FM on Lateef Jakande road, Alausa, Ikeja, starting from 11:00am on Friday, December 16, 2022. He assured that this year’s edition of the annual event promises to usher in a marked improvement on the previous ones as members and guests will be entertained with a live band, as well as enough to eat and drink.
An important aspect of this year’s event is the investiture of deserving Nigerians as the association’s patrons. Among them is a first class traditional ruler, philanthropist, administrator and lawyer, Oba (Dr) Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, in Osun State who is to be installed as the association’s “Royal Father”.
Also on the list is Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a legendary broadcaster, astute politician, insightful law maker and the current chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who is to be honoured as PJAN Patroness. Nigeria’s leading documentary and tourism photographer, Mr. Dayo Adedayo will be installed as PJAN Patron at the occasion.
Also to be honoured are five prominent journalists. Two former chairmen of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mrs. Funke Fadugba and Dr. Qasim Akinreti will be conferred with award of recognition for their respective role in advocating for the betterment of journalism as a profession. Also on the honours list are Mr. Alfred Odifa, the immediate secretary of NUJ, Lagos Council, Mr. Gbenga Fatile, director of News, FRCN and Mr. Tunde Awoniyi, the pioneer Secretary of PJAN.
A lecture titled: “The Role of Photojournalists in a Sustainable Democracy” will be delivered by a highly revered Nigerian professional photographer, artist and photography consultant, Mr. Don Barber who will also be honoured at the ceremony.
PJAN, an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was formally launched as an association on April 6th, 1993 at the Lagos City Banquet Hall by some photo editors and chief photographers across the major Nigerian newspapers and news magazines publications. Since its formation, the association has been in the fore-front of advocating for the welfare of all practicing and retired photojournalists through regular training and empowerment programs.
According to Olasupo, it is the desire of the executive council of PJAN, through some innovative plans to take the association to the standard comparable to the best practice by its counterparts worldwide in the nearest future, as the profession of photography and photojournalism keep improving because of regular changes in modern technology.
