Less than a week after the National Universities Commission (NUC) announced the unbundling of Mass Communication into seven different disciplines, Nigerian photographers are demanding the inclusion of Photography among the courses.
Conveners and facilitators of the annual Creative Photography Masterclass, Photographers’ Association of Nigeria, Depth of Field, Photo Garage, Nlele Institute and other practising professional photographers made the call.
They asked the NUC to include Photography in its “laudable plans to upgrade Mass Communication programmes in Nigerian universities to promote scholarship and specialisation” in a statement sent to TCN.
Photographers, Tam Fiofori, Don Barber, Jide Adeniyi-Jones, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Amaize Ojeikere, Uche Okpa Iroha, and George Esiri, explained that Photography is an old profession practised long before filmmaking in Nigeria.
They added that “Jonathan Adagogo Green, Nigeria’s first recognised indigenous professional photographer practised between the 1880s and 1905. He worked mostly in and around the Niger Delta, and his exceptional photographs were published in prestigious newspapers and magazines in Britain and Europe.
“Nigeria has since produced multi-thousands of professional photographers both male and female; many of them international award winners and highly acclaimed on the global creative art and culture scene.
“Nigeria’s late great photographer J. D. Okhai Ojeikere is recognised as a World Master Photographer and is honoured as such in the Museum of Modern Art -MOMA in America.
“Photography is now recognised as an independent discipline that can be studied up to doctorate (PhD) level in universities and tertiary institutions in America, Europe and Asia. Thankfully Photography is being offered as an elective at SSS level in Nigeria.
“In light of the relevant and academic observations above, we suggest that you revamp your proposed new mass communication programmes.
“Specifically, we suggest you offer Photography and Film Studies as per number five of your proposed new programmes. These disciplines are closely interrelated and have enough knowledge to be on their own. We willingly offer you our vast expertise to help you formulate a curriculum for Photography Studies at tertiary level.”
Other photographers that signed the statement were Adolphus Opara, Godwin Nkemakonam Anaebonam, Yemi Odebunmi, Lemmy Ijeoma, Pius Ekpei, Victor Agunbiade, Kunle Ogunfuyi, Armah Willis and Chriss Nwobu.
Recall that the NUC this week announced the unbundling of Mass Communication into seven separate degree programmes to meet current demands.
The seven new programmes/departments to be domiciled in a Faculty/ School/College of Communication and Media Studies are Journalism and Media Studies, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film and Multi-Media Studies, Development Communication Studies, Information and Media Studies.