Kidpreneur Africa Foundation is partnering Studio24, Kodak Moments, Canon Academy, and Derwin Film Academy to empower some girls from across Nigeria with creative and photography skills.
The partnership was announced at a press conference in Lagos during which the Pix-Her Africa project, the initiative through which the girls will be trained.
Juliet Vincent-Obi, the founder and executive director of Kidpreneur Africa Foundation, , revealed that her organisation will be implementing the project for 20 Nigerian girls across the country aged 15 – 18 years.
According to her, the project will include a six-month in-house training at Studio24 in Lagos, and another one-year and six-month apprenticeship training to further broaden their skills.
Vincent-Obi said that the opportunities that the project presents to the girls are limitless, and she enjoined them to leverage it as a source of inspiration to establish their own photography business, adding, “there is no excuse for you not to succeed. Do not settle for less.”
Chris Oputa,the team leader of Studio24 stated that a revolution in photography is looming, and women have a place and role in it stressing that the right empowerment and investments are needed to change the sad narrative that the creative industry is meant for only males.
Oputa said that Pix-Her Africa is a step in the right direction, given that it is a paid apprenticeship and an opportunity for the girls to start a business or career in photography.
However, Oputa noted how technology is affecting the creative and photography industry, adding, “Technology has removed needless middlemen in the business, but has also shown them how to make money through other ways. And we are providing funding for these middlemen to be self-sufficient in the photography businesses.”
Anja Weidel and Alfred Otieno, representatives of Kodak Moments for the Middle East and Africa,spoke about the value of print photographs and memories on paper, and the need to encourage and support people, especially young people, to go into the photography business.
Grace Edwin-Okon, the founders of Derwin Film Academy, lamented what she called the limited number of professional women in the photography business. On the other hand, she commended the partners of the project for training the girls and showing them what is possible in the creative business.
As a partner in the project, Edwin-Okon revealed that her firm, Derwin Film Academy, will be teaching the girls basic photography, filmmaking, film directing and scripting, special effect make-up, and other creative endeavours.
The co-founder of Derwin Film Academy, Alex Edwin-Okon, said they are happy to be a part of the project, which will not only empower the girls with the right skills and network in the creative industry but will also offer them opportunities to earn money while acquiring the skills.
Parents and guardians of the girls also spoke at the event.
A parent, Marvel Etietop, and a guardian, Olufunso Arawole, commended the organisers for the project and for empowering their girls.
Four of the girls — Blessed Emmanuel, Ibukunoluwa Akintola, Blessing Ayelu, and Naomi Edet — appreciated the organisers for the initiative and promised to make good use of the opportunity.
