Experts Charge Photojournalists At GPN’s 2021 Annual Conference

By Miracle Benniah

The Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN) has held its Annual Conference and Exhibition for this year, charging members on the best ways forward.

The event which held at the Ikeja Business Club auditorium, had the theme: “Digital revolution: opportunities and challenges in the 21st century”.

It provided a platform for members of the GPN and non-members alike , experts in finance, investment, tourism as well as students to share knowledge, experiences and arrive at solutions.

Dr. Adeboye Ola, Head of Department of General Studies (HOD) at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) speaking, advised photojournalists to work in ways that would distinguish them from amateurs..

He stressed the need for photojournalists to flow with the tide of change like, embracing digitalisation, and also, build and develop the needed skill set that will enable them remain relevant in the digital and social space.

In order to combat the issue of Intellectual property theft, Dr Boye Ola advised photojournalists to upload their images in low resolutions, water mark them.

And in order not to solely depend on media houses for survival, he advised photojournalists to set up personal web pages where they could publish their works, which he said could attract good payment.

Former General Manager of Zenith Bank, Olubukola Latunji explained how advancement in technology and digitalisation gave room for fintech companies to compete with banks which challenged banks to do more embracing technology.

She said if banks could leverage technology to improve their services the competition notwithstanding, that photojournalism can do same.

According to her, photojournalists should embrace the social and digital space, build their skills and invest in the tools of their craft which will serve as their assets that will enable them compete in the social and digital world.

While educating all present about personal finance, she urged many to save from the little they earn, invest in their craft, hop on investment platforms and plans (bonds, stock shares etc) and protect what they make for the future.

Personal finance plan she added, is the key to building and sustaining a safe, secure and progressive future, even as continuous learning in order to keep abreast of technologies would help the photojournalist maintain relevance.

Echoing the need to flow with the changes digital revolution has brought, representative of the Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance and also Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi added that digitalisation has not done any harm to the profession but has added value to it and has also challenged photojournalists to do more

He also stated that photojournalists are a critical part of evolution,documentation and have the ability to position persons, states and so therefore they will always be needed but they can only stay relevant by improving on what they do.

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Other speakers and guests at the event include the Chairman Guild of Photojournalist Nigeria (GPN), Mr. Abiodun Ajala, Vice President Product Marketing and Growth at Tetragon Group (ADMARP), Oti Ukubeyinje, Chief Coordinator Tourism Klub, Mr. Segun Ola-Oyedeji and so on