By Fashola, Siblings Launch Photographic Foundation In Honour Of Pioneer GM Of Daily Times, Demola Fashola
The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN joined his family last weekend to launch Fashola Photographic Foundation in honour of his late father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola. The Foundation was used to commemorate the 4th anniversary of late Fashola who passed on in 2013 at the age of 79 in Lagos.
BlackBox Nigeria gathered that the Foundation was inaugurated in honour of their patriarch who was the pioneer General Manager of Times Leisure Services and former Advert Manager of Daily Times. The late Fashola was an avid photographer in his prime.
The Foundation was unveiled at the City Hall and had in attendance family members, close associates and other invited guests. The event was coordinated by Bisola Aiyeola, the Runner-up of the popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija.
Among high profile guests at the launch of the Foundation was Oba of Lagos, His Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu Osuolale, former Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith, Supo Shasore SAN, among others.
It was disclosed that the Fashola Photographic Foundation is a not for profit organisation that includes training and nurturing of photographers. It was bourne out of love for photography of the late patriarch.
Speaking at the event, the former Lagos Governor revealed that from his teenage years, his father had gifted him his first camera and it was imbibed in all of them as they grew with him. He explained that his late father was the 4th generation of the Fashola while himself represents the 5th generation while his children and their cousins who planned the event were the 6th generation of the family. He also added that the Foundation was open to good ideas of the public.
The high point of the evening, however, was the announcement of the winner of the Foundation’s photography contest. Vivian Nwobi, one of the 13 photographers that participated in the training facilitated by Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko, Lukman Olaonipekun, Sola Animashaun and TY Bello. The winner was announced by retired IGP Smith with an award for – a two-week training in photography at the New York Film Academy in January 2018 – while a runner up, not originally in the plan, was also announced.
An anonymous guest decided to sponsor a second beneficiary Kehinde Yusuf emerging the lucky winner. The duo, unsurprisingly, were emotional at the announcement of the prizes.
Nwobi said: “This is one of the amazing things that happened to me this year. I had no idea I would win. I was in class with 12 amazing photographers and you should see their works. I am super grateful to the foundation and Temple Management for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Yusuf also said, “As a full-time event and documentary photographer, I can tell you that women in photography put in that ‘extra’ to make our work stand out in a male-dominated field.”
Earlier, a traditional band, Inufele and singer 9ice had entertained guests while a speed painter, Fola Davies, painted Pa Fashola’s portrait right there on stage. CEO of Temple Management Company, Idris Olorunnimbe, later presented the painting to the Foundation.
Additional information culled from TribuneOnline.
