ANAMBRA PARTNERS NATESA CONSULTING LTD TO HOST A MAIDEN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION IN AWKA
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :
The Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, in partnership with NATESA Consulting Ltd, hosted a stunning maiden Photography exhibition with the theme “The Forgotten Country” at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Awka.
The groundbreaking event showcased various photographs captured by talented photographers from the Southeastern region and a short documentary about the economic impact of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war on the southeastern region before and after the conflict.
While declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji highlighted that photography serves as a creative economic platform that offers connectivity and revenue. He emphasized that a single photo can tell numerous stories about an event.
Mr. Onyenji stated that the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo, has created a supportive environment for people to showcase their talents, conduct business, and relax and the ministry is open to partnerships that will enhance the state’s reputation.
He said; “This government is youth-friendly and has initiated a program for the youth to learn skills under the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ program. Additionally, He has approved free training for Anambra youths in film production under the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism which will offer a lot of opportunities for our youths in the film industry.
“The governor is constructing a state-of-the-art Solution Fun City, which will be a mega entertainment hub in the state and the Solution Neighbourhood Leisure Park is being built at the defunct National Light Complex for relaxation and recreational purposes.
“Furthermore, the Igboukwu Museum, currently undergoing refurbishment, is expected to be ready before Christmas. It will be available for historians and archaeologists to utilize for research purposes,” he stated.
The commissioner appealed to the state comedians and content creators to positively market the state to attract investors.
In his lecture on “Exploring Diverse Revenue Streams Beyond Print Sales: Licensing and Stock Photography,” the keynote speaker, Mr. Kelechi Amadi-Obi, emphasized the challenges of excelling as an artist, particularly in the field of photography. He highlighted the need for patience and hard work to succeed.
Mr. Amadi-Obi also emphasized the significant role of photographers in capturing and sharing events and places. He noted that photographers provide the first impression of a location which helps to influence its patronage.
“For instance, when I googled Lagos on the internet, I saw a picture of a man carrying a child on his neck in a flood. This kind of impression doesn’t give Lagos a good image out there. However, when I searched for Dubai, I saw beautiful pictures that would prompt you to visit the place.
“So, the images you create of your state matter a lot. Make sure to present your state in a positive light to attract attention and make progress for you,”
He advised the photographers to improve their work by studying other notable photographers’ works, staying focused, comparing their work with the best in the world, and believing in themselves.
In her welcoming address, Augusta Nnadi, the co-founder of NATESA Consulting Ltd, expressed gratitude to everyone for attending the event. She emphasized that their firm is a Public Relations and Strategic Communication firm aimed at rebranding the entire Southeast as the powerhouse of Nigeria in photography. She highlighted that the Southeast possesses all the potential it needs to succeed.
“We chose the theme “The Forgotten Country” not to depict the strife, pain, tears, and hunger that affected the southeastern region during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967-1970, but to showcase a country that thrived and endured despite the painful war.
“This is our first open photography exhibition, featuring photographs by talented young individuals from the Southeast region. We encourage more people to get involved in this trade and showcase the beauty of the Southeast, which we believe can be the economic powerhouse of Nigeria,” she stated.
The Executive Director of the Center for Memories, Mazi Iheanyi Igboko, who was represented by the Program Officer, Nnamani Ifeoma, commended the organizers for initiating such valuable projects. He mentioned that their organization is located in Enugu State and focuses on recording, preserving, and presenting the significant memories, narratives, and history of the Igbo people.
“We are open to collaborating with individuals or organizations interested in portraying Igbo stories through photography. Photography is an art that holds the ability to capture moments and document the stories of each generation.”
* Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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