Yenagoa—Nigerian youths have been advised to be consistent and humble in any business they find themselves doing.
Official photographer of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Gabriel Emmanuel, handed down the advice in an exclusive interview with mangrovepen.ng.
The photographer who hails from Ogolomabiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the State has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Sikkim Manipal University, Ghana.
According to him, “I studied a course under journalism called photojournalism, during that time we were given projects to go around and take pictures of different angles, patterns and structures in photography.
“It was on that note I found strong interest in photojournalism, my best friend back then in school bought a camera because of the project, so it was his gadget that we were using at the time of our task.
“I enjoyed the whole process of seeing things differently through the camera lens, it interested me a lot which made me find a deep love for photography.”
Emmanuel who decried the negative reviews of toxic critics and expensiveness of cameras as some of his challenges, further narrated how he emerged as the governor’s official photographer.
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“I was a photographer/media influencer to the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Daniel Iworiso Markson at the Ministry of Information.
“So at that time I was able to work my way into the PDP social media team which I became the photographer there, my work was very visible for all to see because it was my photos that were the official pictures during the campaigns of Governor Douye Diri at that time.
“When Governor Douye Diri emerged as the winner, I was found worthy to serve and that’s how I was absorbed into the system as one of the official photographers to the Governor,” he said.
The photographer who sees himself creating pictures that will make a positive impact in Nigeria and beyond, charged Nigerian youths to be resilient in whatever they do.
“They should be resilient, they should know that they can make it regardless. Consistency is key, no one should despise the days of little beginnings.
“I started very small in photography, but the reverse is the case now, they should realize that the more level you attain should be considered as your starting point. In all, humility pays hugely,” he advised.
