In an era saturated with digital information, the undeniable power of a single, truthful image stands taller than ever. This was the resonant theme at the recent World Photography Day celebration, “My Favorite Photos,” held in Lekki, Lagos, where statesmen, media executives, and visual storytellers gathered to champion photojournalism’s irreplaceable role in nation-building.
The event, organized by the PhotoJournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN) and sponsored by the DAP Foundation, became a powerful symposium on visual culture. Setting the tone, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, delivered a stirring commendation, declaring journalism “the greatest profession in the world.” He directly addressed the challenges of the digital age, assuring photojournalists that their work remains “undisputed, unopposed, and undefeated.”
In a powerful address that set the tone for the event, Princess Alaba Igbarola, the Chairperson of the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN), issued a resonant call to action for a more meticulously documented nation. Delivering her welcome speech, she moved beyond a mere ceremonial opening to present a compelling and urgent argument directed at both government bodies and key stakeholders.
Princess Igbarola articulated that the nation’s journey—its evolving history, its cultural milestones, its developmental triumphs, and even its challenges—is unfolding daily through powerful, yet often ephemeral, visuals. She posited that professional photojournalists are not just spectators but essential custodians of this national narrative. Their trained eyes and technical expertise are crucial for capturing authentic, high-quality, and historically significant images that serve as an irreplaceable visual archive for future generations.
Therefore, her address was a direct appeal for formalized engagement. She urged the government and relevant institutions to move beyond ad-hoc interactions and instead establish structured partnerships and contracts with professional photographers. This would ensure that every critical event, from official ceremonies to grassroots community stories, is preserved with the integrity and artistry it deserves.
Ultimately, her message was a call for recognition, collaboration, and support. She emphasized that empowering photojournalists is not an expense but a vital investment in safeguarding Nigeria’s legacy, ensuring that the story of today is told accurately and powerfully for the citizens and historians of tomorrow.
Moved beyond mere praise, Aremo Olusegun Osoba made a profound personal commitment to the community. He pledged his unwavering support. He concretized this pledge with a sweeping and unconditional promise: “I will be there for you and whatever you want me to do for you, I will do it in totality.”
Furthermore, Osoba extended his commendation to the event’s sponsor, Mr. Dayo Adedayo. He specifically lauded Mr. Adedayo’s profound sense of social responsibility, highlighting his commitment to “giving back to humanity.” This phrase elevated Mr. Adedayo’s actions from simple sponsorship or charity to a deeper, more philosophical imperative of contributing to the greater human good, thereby painting him as a philanthropist of significant principle and compassion.
The event transitioned from formal addresses into a captivating session of lived experience and visionary foresight, led by two titans of the visual storytelling world.
Mr. Adedayo, Chairman of the DAP Foundation, articulated the profound essence of the craft, defining photography as “memory, truth, and power.” He argued that “a story without a photograph is boring,” and urged practitioners to delve deeper into research and documentary projects, highlighting the vast undocumented stories within Nigeria. “Your body of work can make you successful; photography is a lucrative profession,” he advised, revealing his ongoing project to build a world-class digital edifice for documentary and photography aimed at revolutionizing the field in Nigeria.
Speaking with palpable passion about the DAP Experience Centre, a project still under construction, he painted a picture of a groundbreaking haven for creatives. He described it as the first facility of its kind in Nigeria—a world-class digital edifice where photographers could not only document and preserve their work but also monetize their archives. The motivation for this monumental project was deeply personal; it stemmed from the sobering realization that his own vast archive of over four million photographs risked being lost to time without a permanent structure to preserve them for future generations.
Following this, Mr. Dayo Adedayo exhorted photojournalists with a powerful message: dare to be different. He challenged them to see beyond the lens and fully embrace the digital multimedia revolution, not just as a tool, but as a canvas to create a unique and enduring legacy. He advised the audience to recalibrate their focus, placing more effort into nurturing their passion than in the immediate chase for financial gain. He posited that authentic success and mastery in the field would, in time, unlock doors to incredible and sustainable wealth.
Guest speaker Mr. Gbile Oshadipe, Chief Coach at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, elevated the discourse, positioning photography as a tool for national reconstruction and identity formation. “We must develop our visual culture,” Oshadipe urged, explaining that documentary photography can challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and raise awareness, maintaining its impact despite the internet’s influence.
When he took the stage, Mr.Oshadipe, a revered figure with a long and illustrious career, held the audience spellbound by engaging the gathering in a masterclass in Professionalism and Grace . He embarked on a narrative journey, reliving incredible anecdotes that served as a masterclass for the aspiring photographers and seasoned journalists present. He didn’t shy away from the realities of the profession, artfully highlighting the exhilarating highs and the creative, tenacious strategies he employed to surmount the inevitable lows.
One particularly resonant example he cited was from a high-stakes assignment during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, documenting a tour by the President of UNICEF. In such environments, fraught with stringent security and potential obstacles, Oshadipe revealed his golden rule: the power of impeccable professionalism. He shared that he had never been harassed by security forces throughout his active years, a feat he attributed to a strict adherence to timeliness and a conscious decision to “dress the way he wished to be properly addressed.” This simple yet profound philosophy underscored the dignity and self-respect inherent in the profession.
His engagement extended beyond storytelling. He fielded insightful questions from journalists and, most notably, from the invigorated Mass Communication students of Yaba College of Technology. Through their vibrant lecturers, the students presented a forward-thinking proposal: the creation of a dedicated student arm of PJAN and free membership for aspiring photographers to the soon-to-be-launched DAP Experience Centre—a request met with thoughtful consideration.
Outlining the practicalities, Mr. Adedayo announced that upon completion, access to the centre would be granted through tickets valid for a generous six-month period, designed to give subscribers ample time to immerse themselves in and develop their photography projects. Demonstrating a firm commitment to fostering new talent, he specifically offered students a fifty percent discount, a significant concession given the incredibly high costs of building and maintaining such a state-of-the-art facility.
The ethical dimension of the profession was thereafter underscored by Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council. He tasked photojournalists with upholding the highest ethics and resisting manipulation, a crucial mandate in the digital era. He further advised them to complement their visual skills with writing to enhance their relevance and impact.
The gathering also served as a moment of honor, recognizing key figures for their contributions. Awardees included Aremo Olusegun Osoba, named Life Patron of PJAN; Mr. Dayo Adedayo; and Mr. Tunde Olalere, Secretary of the NUJ Lagos Council.
Mr. Adedayo’s generosity extended beyond words and vision. As a tangible token of his goodwill and unshakeable support for PJAN and the art form itself, he presented every attendee with an expensive copy of his acclaimed photo book on Ogun State. In a gesture that personalized the gift, he spent time autographing copies, transforming each book into a cherished memento of a day dedicated to celebrating the power and future of photography.
The event was graced by a diverse audience, including His Royal Majesty Oba Adeboye Charles Bale, the Lebu 11 of Ojuala Kingdom; executives from the NUJ Lagos Council; and students and lecturers from Yaba College of Technology and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, all united by a belief in the lens’s power to capture, truthfully, the soul of a nation.
