A parley with ‘Paparazzi’

By Chiemerem Umenne
SADDLED with the responsibility of creatively repositioning photography profession in the country, Photographers Association of Nigeria (PAN) was recently inaugurated. The event, which held at the Camara Studios, Ikeja, Lagos, was aimed at uniting its professional members, as encouraging upcoming photographers. It had in attendance professionals such as Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Michael Inyang, Yetunde Ayeni- Babaeko, amongst others. Highlighting on the association’s activities, Amadi-Obi, who is PAN’s spokesperson, said, “it seeks to bring together top level professionals and creative artists with integrity in service discovery.” According to him, it is a home coming for photographers with the same idea and pictorial concepts from West Africa. He added creative photography could be used in the re-branding project. “In embassies, it appears there are clear representation of other countries’ images, but in Nigeria’s case, it seems they are always trying to represent us. Here, a creative portrait image can be used. Besides, such re-branding can also come in various artistic forms,” he noted. Also speaking, the Creative Director, Camara Studios, Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko noted the field of photography as “beyond commercialised works.” Recopying a photographer’s work without credit recognition is a major challenge in Nigeria, which she terms as right infringement. She said efforts of the association would be channelled at curtailing such conduct would also encourage upcoming one, she quips. Other participants urged that more time be invested in workshops, seminars and exhibition centres. Photography departments have already been set up in Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State and Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduana State with intellectual and equipments facilities, PAN informed.






The ‘Wife’ Hosts Couples at a Dinner
By Chijioke Iremeka
IT was a fun-filled weekend at the Lagoon Restaurant, Lagos, as women from all walks of life with their husbands gathered to celebrate the ‘Wife’s Couples Dinner, and launching of a special book dedicated to married couples, titled: “Enriching Marital Sex.” The Wife as a ministry ensures the sustainability of marriages in the society with the aim of creating close ties with the husband and their children. Speaking on the theme: “The Changing role of the 21st Century Family,” Mr. Bode Osunkoya said woman earning more than her husband does not change her role in the house as she has to play her supportive roles for the betterment of her family. Osunkoya noted that if the woman does that to change the living standard or improve the situation of her family, it becomes a different ball game and entirely crucial and acceptable, but it must not be to undermine the activities and the place of the man in the house. He said, “whether the man is a good father to his children as a result of the changing role or not, is not a good enough reason to make the woman take his place in the home. We work to live and not live to work.” Citing Ephesians chapter five, he called on all married women to be submissive to their husbands. MORESO, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Chinwe Okafor, said God has bestowed a lot on women. “Wise woman builds her home, but the foolish one destroys it.” She stated that women should always know that change in role has nothing to do with disrespect to one’s husband. Wife and husband should build their home together. Justice Jumoke Pedro, who spoke on the book said, “It came at the right time. It has come to strengthen relationship between husband and wife. Couples should not be ashamed of themselves because this is the topic people don’t want to discuss, yet causes a lot of troubles in the home.” “Many people have approached the court to annul certain relationships, based on this.” She added, “so, there is no need to be ashamed of the solution to ones problems because this has parked up several marriages.” HOWEVER, the Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Salamatu Sulaiman, who was represented by Mrs. Beatrice Epelle, the Chief Social Development Officer, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, described the book as a holistic approach to family problems. According to Mrs. Nkem Okoro, the Chief Co-ordinator and Director, Inspectorate, Federal Ministry of Education, the book was born out of the need to address, revive and resuscitate dead marriages, which she discovered during her one-on-one counseling with a number of couples. Guests were thrilled to nice tunes by several artistes, which include SPAN President, Sarah Boulus and her group.