By Aliyu Baba Mohammed
The Ahmadu Bello University Campus Press (ACP) has trained hundreds of students on photojournalism in its efforts to equip the members of the club with Journalistic knowledge, practical experience and skills beyond the theoretical contents of the classroom.
The training which took place for two days encompassed both the theoretical and practical aspects of photojournalism with online and physical classes at the University's main campus in Samaru, Zaria. Photojournalism is an aspect of Journalistic works that tells a story through photographs and/or other images.
While speaking to Troubleshooter Reporters, the President of the club, Comrade Ishaq Bilal said the core mandate of the club is to give the students an extra practical knowledge of Journalism beyond the classroom experience. He said the just concluded photojournalism workshop was aimed at exposing the students to camera handling and effective picture capturing that narrates stories.
"ABU Campus Press is a press club that its mission and vision is to ensure that the students have deep practical knowledge of Journalism as regards to the theoretical aspects they are taught in the class, and we're achieving this through the series of workshops (like the just concluded photojournalism workshop) and online trainings,"he said.
Comrade Bilal said the club is facing financial constraints in carrying out its stock of activities; as the club is currently working with very limited resources at its disposal. He said if the club could receive the full support of all the stakeholders, there are great programmes to be carried out not only for the benefit of students but the University community as a whole.
He acknowledged the support of the relevant authorities so far, while appealing for extra support in getting the club fully registered and recognized within the university community and beyond. He also urged the members of the club not to relent in their efforts to actualize the vision of the club.
In her response, the trainer for the workshop, who is also the CEO DIDDIGRAPHY, Awaisu Ummulkulthum Adama said she was amazed with the level of understanding and passion exhibited by the participants during the both online and physical training. She added that the knowledge acquired will help the students to have better understanding of photojournalism courses at various levels.
"I could see the passion, efforts and the beautiful pictures captured by the participants. In fact, the participants were doing even beyond what I mentioned during the online training and this shows that they really understood the content of the workshop,"she said
Adama commended the ACP on its efforts in providing a platform for students to learn the nitty-gritty activities of photojournalism and every other type of Journalism work. She further advised the club to keep on the good work in organizing such educational workshops for a better media arena in Nigeria.
A co-trainer who trained the participants on Mobile Photography, Haruna Musa advised the participants to start utilizing their phone cameras in practicing photojournalism, and not to wait until they can afford sophisticated gadgets to start practicing. He said a decent or simple start is never a bad idea.
Meanwhile, Some of the participants who spoke to Troubleshooter Reportersapplauded the organizer (ACP) for giving them such a great platform and opportunity to learn practical aspects of Photojournalism and other aspects of journalistic works in general. While appreciating the club for achieving giant feats so far.
"I learnt a number of things as a take home, among which is the Apps to use for editing when you snap with your phone. How to snap beautiful pictures using natural light, a good atmosphere to take good pictures, especially when you don't want shade to come out,"Waziri Mahdi Isa.
"All in all, I got to appreciate the art of photography and learned that it is way more in depth and important to storytelling than we young soon to be journalists realize,"Amina Ismaila.
They pleaded with the ACP to put in more effort in the subsequent workshops or training, so that it can last for a reasonable number of days that will accommodate both theoretical and practical aspects of learning, thoroughly. They also emphasized on the need to have more practical equipment (e.g cameras) available for students to have first hand practical experience no matter the population.
Also in attendance during the workshop was a retired lecturer with the mass communication department, Mr. Andrew Y. Omebije and a serving lecturer with the department, Mallama Habiba Muhammed Sani who are both professionals in the field of photojournalism.
ABU Campus Press usually organizes workshops for its members every Friday of the week. It is currently the most active Press Club on campus that accommodates students who have passion for Journalism from different faculties and departments of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This is said to be necessary for the fact that the world has turned into a global village with the presence of new media that has encouraged Citizen Journalism.
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