By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
No fewer than 50 budding photographers and videographers in Akwa State State on Wednesday, smiled home with cash prizes ranging between N100,000 to N500,000 each, courtesy of the state government.
The exercise which is an offshoot of the 35th Anniversary celebration of the state is part of measures geared towards entrepreneurial development for young Akwa Ibom people with creative skills and potentials.
Speaking during the cash presentation ceremony in the conference room of the ministry in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong said the initiative was borne out of government’s desire to empower the youths as well as create a platform through which talented individuals can be encouraged to exhibit and develop their creativity.
According to him, Governor Udom Emmanuel approved the idea of the competition when he noted with delight, the number of youths taking to professional photography and videography, as well as the need to promote entrepreneurship for youths in the creative industry.
The commissioner disclosed that following a call for entries by budding photographers and videographers, numerous entries were recieved for the contest, stressing that the beneficiaries were independently picked by a team of seasoned judges through a transparent process that focused on the quality of videos and photographs submitted by the contestants.
Emphasizing that, Akwa Ibom State Government is the sole sponsor of the photography/videography empowerment competition, Ememobong called on the organised private sector to be involved in subsequent editions of the contest inorder to encourage creativity and to fulfil part of their corporate social responsibility to the state and its’ citizens.
While setting the tone for the event, the Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Grace Akpan, said, the exercise was in keeping to the avowed promise of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, that all winning entries must be awarded cash prizes as a measure towards boosting the entrepreneurial drive of government for youths in the State.
She stressed that with the institutionalisation of the photography/videography contest, a veritable platform is now opened for the celebration of more talented youths in the state in the field.
On his part, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Professional Photography and Cinematography Guild ( ASPPACA ), Beniaiah Pius, commended the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong for facilitating the contest, adding that the innovation will encourage greater output and engender professionalism in the state.
Speaking, one of the winners in the videography category, Udeme John, appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for rewarding creativity, adding that with the latest development, more young people would be motivated to exert their talent.
First prize winners in both photo and video categories were awarded 500,000 ( Five hundred Thousand Naira ) each, while the second and third place winners were given 300, 000 (three hundred thousand and 200, 000 (two hundred thousand Naira) each, respectively.
Meanwhile, the sum of 100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) consolation prize was awarded to each of the other contestants whose entries were selected by the team of judges.
Recall that, the photography/videography contest was one of the activities lined-up during the 35th Anniversary celebration of the creation of Akwa Ibom State.
Present at the event were, directors of the ministry and the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Borono Bassey.
