YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #116
Friday, February 3, 2017
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
Finding the best
teachers can be a ‘hit-and-miss’ — Digital Artist, Rodney
Abuja based self-taught Photographer, Digital Artist and Creative Consultant, Rodney ‘Avo’ Omeokachie spoke to YOUTHVILLE on photography, the market, taking advantage of Youtube, the gains and challenges of being in a creative business.
Text by Bamas Victoria @ BamasVictoria
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hat is Avotography all about and what was the motivation behind starting it? Avotography is the umbrella under which I put all my creative endeavours. The motivation was simple: I have a very particular set of skills. So I thought. Why not charge for it? Where did you get your training? YouTube. It all started there. I’d spend hours copying what looked good to me. I was very conscious of the fact that I didn’t want to the same stuff I saw the pros make. I just wanted to learn their techniques and make my own style. although I read International Relations and Journalism at Monash University, South Africa. There’s so much information on YouTube. How do you figure out what is useful? That is a skill on its own. Tutorials
on YouTube come in different formats, lengths and styles. Finding the best teachers can be hit and miss but the way YouTube works, the longer you spend looking for a certain type of video, it eventually suggests the best ones. As you get more skilled at exploring YouTube, you start to know which videos are not worth your while just by looking at the thumbnail or the video title. What would you say is your style and what differentiates you from other photographers? For most photographers, pressing the shutter button is the end. For me, it’s the beginning. I try to create something I would want to hang on my wall. I like my work to be closer to art. I’m blessed with a unique set of eyes in that, whenever I see a picture, I always think to myself how can I take it to another level. As a young entrepreneur what is your definition of success? Success is, first and foremost, achieving or surpassing the very specific goals I set for myself. If in the process of achieving my goals, other people succeed as well, that’s a welcome bonus. I’m very pragmatic in my thinking. What do you think is the place of business such as yours in Nigeria? The Creative industry in Nigeria -- which consists of photography, marketing, advertising music and movies is yet to reach its potential because there is not enough focus on truly remarkable work. This will not always be the case, though. A revolution is currently underway. It won’t be long. What are some of the experiences that left you bewildered on the job?
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. - Aristotle
A common occurrence – and probably the most frustrating – is when the client requests that you create something similar to another artist’s. No profession or venture is without its’ challenges and gains. What are the gains and challenges of being a young entrepreneur? Being young, the gains and the challenges are one and the same. When you’re young, it’s in your best interest to make mistakes and make them fast. If you’re self-aware, you will learn just as fast. By the time you get to your 30s you have enough experience to really go for gold. It’s like training a muscle. If you see challenges and gains in the same light, you have a leg up whatever you do. What are the skills, set and equipment required to be successful in the business? A thick skin and elastic heart. Photography and business in general require you to deal with people more often than you’d like. Having a thick skin so you don’t let the disappointment, drama and uncertainty get to you. An elastic heart to not give up when the setbacks eventually do get to you. Advise to young persons who want to follow your footsteps Don’t follow mine. Follow yours. Find what’s important to you and adjust to fit your circumstances. Looking back, the series of events that have led me to where I am and will lead me to where I want to be, are extremely unique to me. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the game.
NYSC members tasked on creativity Text from Emma Elekwa, Awka Corp-members deployed to Anambra state for their one-year national service have been challenged to be creative by breaking new grounds in order to surpass the achievements of their predecessors. The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano who gave the advice during the swearingin ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ stream II corpers at the Orientation camp, Umunya, also urged them to participate actively in the development efforts of their host communities through the careful integration with the people. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the governor enjoined them to take advantage of the three week training to equip themselves for self-employment after service. “You must know that the success of every service year depends on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise and is crucial in providing the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional as well as psychological preparation for the challenge ahead” he stated. Earlier, the State Coordinator of the scheme, Olawale Olusegun said a total of 2,207 corps members were registered in the camp, comprising of 866 males and 1341 females.
Community wants abandoned electricity transformer fixed Residents of Shere community Gauraka, Tafa Local government, Niger State has called on the state government to complete the abandoned electricity transformer project in the area. The 500KV transformer which was supposed to provide 24-hour electricity in the area has been left to rust. Expressing dissatisfaction, the youth leader of the area, Joseph Yerima urged the state government to come to the aid of the community. “The transformer was installed for more than two years now and the engineer who is handling the project has been playing with our intelligence. He kept saying he has not been authorized to handle the project to Abuja electrical distribution company. “Sometime ago, the youths resolved to contribute some agreed amount of money so that we can fix the transformer but was rebuffed by the elders in the community” Yerima explained. John Enock Gwamnati, Student of Mass Communication Department, Fed Poly Bida, Niger State.
Lagos Church awards scholarship to less-privileged youths 12 Nigerian students enter for the doctrine Christianity preaches. Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos $2 million Lafarge construction award “Awarding scholarship to indigent The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Divine Blessing Cathedral (DBC), Alagbado area of Lagos State has awarded hundreds of scholarship to less-privileged youths in the community and beyond. The leader-in-charge, Special Apostle John Oyeku made this known while briefing journalists about the church’s seven year journey and the commissioning of a 5000-capacity auditorium. According to the Special Apostle, the church found it worthy to extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged because doing so is part of
students has been a priority for us because we believe in the future of our youths. Many of them have benefited from our scholarship programmes while many others have been assisted one way or the other,” Oyeku said. The Chairman of the Church’s Building and Infrastructure Committee, Special Apostle Emmanuel Awode further explained that as part of the church’s commitment to the youth wellbeing, 750-capacity Youth Fellowship Chapel, a theology school, library as well as Information and Communication centre, have all being put in place for their usage.
Text From Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos Twenty-six participants from Nigeria (14 professionals and 12 students) have submitted entries for the international Lafarge-Holcim award which commenced on July 4, 2016. This edition of the sustainable construction competition is seeking smart solutions for cities and the built environment; engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, project owners, students and NGOs. The award which is free, is open in 90 countries where the Lafarge-Holcim group operates.
Expressing delight that more Nigerians are tapping into the opportunity offered by the award, Lafarge Africa plc Group Managing Director, Michel Punchercos said: “Nigerian professionals and students participating in the competition live and work in some fastest growing cities in the world and the competition is an opportunity to address the myriad of challenges of urbanization as it develops.” The competition seeks projects and ideas that embodies and target issues for sustainable construction; the 5Ps: progress, people, planet, prosperity and place.