| Ray Onwuemegbulem | ||
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Exhibit
at UNCA -
Oct. 30- |
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Militocracy:
The menace of military rule in Nigeria
Nigeria - 1998 Award Winner In my essay I tried to trace the history of the nation since independence (1st Oct 1960) with emphasize [sic] on the effects of military system of governance. Nigeria as a nation has witnessed out of her nearly 38 years of existence, 30 years of military rule. Presently the country is still governed by soldiers. As a young man, I have never had the opportunity of exercising my civic rights as a free citizen and there are indications that thousands of youths like me spread all over the nation may never have the dream of voting for any man or woman of their own choice come through. The economy of this hitherto rich nation has continued to witness inconsistent policies by leaders who are selfish and very corrupt. There has been a widening gap between the poor and the rich since the last three decades and the few rich ones have continued to acquire wealth and plunge the economy to its catastrophic state to the detriment of the poor masses. In my pictures, I tried to document the social effects of military mal-administration on the poor and the innocent people of my beloved country. I submitted many pictures unedited depicting the act of military brutality, economic and social injustice on a people. I took the high risk of my life documenting the photographs for many years now. The price of participating in an international competition such as yours with the pictures could also be high and more risky than you can imagine but with courage and determination I want to say that Nigeria a country with abundant human and natural resources, my country which I love so much deserves a better image than its today nationally and internationally. And we Nigerians and our leaders can only achieve this. Biographical Information: As a young boy, I had already developed my interest on two areas, namely, Journalism and priesthood. But I was totally convinced that my interest was greatly attached to journalism even if I ended up as a priest. I read a lot of newspapers and magazines and performed many functions to developing my schools press club. I was later appointed the head of all students (Senior Prefect), in my days at government secondary school Okehi, Etche in Rivers State of Nigeria, 1978-1983. After my secondary education I was still attached to Journalism and church activities while working in a photographic company in Lagos, then Nigeria's capital city. What later became the turning point for me was my admission into Yaba College of Technology, where I studied general photography for two years and passed out as one of the first four students to earn upper credit since the school started the program. I joined the Guardian, an independent-private newspaper organization in Nigeria almost immediately after my graduation in 1990 as a staff photographer. The Guardian is the leading print media organization in Nigeria in terms of editorial contents and news objectivity. It is popularly called the flagship of Nigerian journalism. I have worked in different capacities as a photographer, senior photographer, acting photo editor, Guardian Express and Lagos Life newspapers now defunct. During this periods, I have covered several land mark events in my country, for example, politics and state functions, fashion shows, sports, industrial and commercial photography. Aerial, oils installations or offshore photography, specialty in street/violence or conflicts photography. To improve my knowledge of the profession I went to University of Lagos Nigeria where I studied and obtained another certificate in mass communication in 1996. I am currently in the United States courtesy of Reuters Foundation photojournalism award at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. The program which lasted for one semester at the University, one week work at the Reuters office in Washington DC, will continue for another one week at their London office immediately after your ceremony from where I hope to return back to Nigeria almost uncertain of my faith in the hands of this guys. Honors:
Awards:
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