Ezekiel Akolawole Kehinde is a Lagos-based photographer who is using the camera lens in creating imageries about the country, a pigeonhole that re-defines the essence of the Green and White country. A passionate patriot, he wields a rare nationalistic streak. Ezekiel is on a mission, to re-tell the erroneous narratives about his beloved fatherland and also help as many people as possible to see the light in an unlikely tunnel of darkness. The convener of THE SAVE NIGERIA CAMPAIGN: BIRTH OF THE GREENER NIGERIA INITIATIVE shares his thoughts with THE THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: You are the founder of The Save Nigeria Campaign, an NGO aimed at repositioning the country using your own form of creative Arts, photography as a viable instrument of change. Tell us, how did you conceive this idea?
EZEKIEL AKOLAWOLE: It happened that on 17th of July 2019, while planning on how to mark my 26th birthday in the most memorable fashion (which coincidentally falls on October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence day), this idea came to me. The concept would be using the tool of photography to promoting progress and upward mobility of my country. By so doing, this will go a long way in helping Nigerians develop hope in the face of hopelessness, anchored to optimism in the uncharted waters which will also spring in the hearts of many, a new leaf of pride. As a professional photographer, I understand that the power of pictures (especially in this present time) is enormous. Being a strong believer in the possibility of realising a far better Nigeria if we dare to do what is right, that idea was perfect for me.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: For the benefit of those who are just coming across The Save Nigeria Campaign, could you tell us what the organization primarily stands for?
EZEKIEL AKOLAWOLE: THE SAVE NIGERIA CAMPAIGN is an initiative that has been established to give opportunity to every Nigerian who want to do more for this nation and offer to be a part of the many reasons to stand up for a greener Nigeria. We believe that hope and optimism mark the beginning of change for anything that will grow into something better than what it presently is. If hope is lost, there won’t be need to make any positive effort to drive change. If optimism is dead (as many people so, believe) there wouldn’t be a reason to even try. This is the fundamental reason patriotism has been ebbed to the lowest grade in a supposedly great nation like Nigeria.
It is believed that the average Nigeria is not patriotic on account that the country is not working. For the records, we believe that the country is not working because her citizens have not been patriotic.
The Save Nigeria Campaign is a social organisation for national change. In achieving our mandate as an organisation among other things, we seek to gradually and systematically effect positively these misconceptions about the country by its citizenry. One of such efforts is our annual free creative photo campaign which serves as a major tool of effective communication in this present generation and beyond.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: How have you been able to carry on this daunting task?
EZEKIEL KOLAWOLE: The Save Nigeria Campaign jumpstarted with a one-day free photoshoot project to commemorate the 2019 Nigerian independence Day celebration which I tagged “The Save Nigeria Campaign”. This photoshoot was open to as many who were interested and willing to flaunt the Nigerian colours (green and white) in pictures. Luckily, I got a free space as a form of support from a facility owner in my community. I called some of my photographer friends who also supported with their own resources and helped in carrying out the project that year. God helping us, it was a success.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: Since you birthed this patriotic innovation, what has kept the dream alive?
EZEKIEL KOLAWOLE: Ever since, THE SAVE NIGERIA CAMPAIGN has continued to grow in diverse ways beyond what I first thought. What was meant to be a free photoshoot to celebrate my 26th birthday began to develop into a purposeful initiative. The team gradually grew from being just that of a pocket of photographers into a team of purposeful young Nigerians driven by the passion for a truly great nation.
Judging by the feelers the pictures we created during this maiden edition of the project in 2019, the buzz from major social media platforms and the excitement from everyone who encountered the pictures, it was apparent that the project was more than taking pictures. We couldn’t deny that the project has come to stay and has become an annual event. This became our very first opportunity to begin to use various mediums on social media and also in real life to change the perspective of Nigerians towards the country into something much better and more profiting for the nation as well as for its people.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: What are your projections for this project seeing it is garnering momentum?
EZEKIEL AKOLAWOLE: In preparation for the year 2020, we made plans to carry out massive peaceful walk events within Lagos in addition to our photo campaign on social media. We intended to use that as a means of engaging the people of Lagos for this national cause and also to take that opportunity to sensitise the public on the need to approach national transformation issues with urgency. We know for sure that every citizen of this country Nigeria has the power to command change beginning from him/her own private life and then to his/her immediate environment and so on.
However, due to the coming of the Corona Virus outbreak in 2020, we couldn’t carry on with those plans. At least not for now so we channeled most of our efforts on social media. This gave birth to our most recent innovation. What we call THE GREENER PLATFORM (The Conversation Room) on Instagram @tsngcampaign. This platform is an Instagram live chat series and here, we focus on what our responsibilities are as Nigerians in making our grass greener here in this nation and the urgent need to make a positive change as individuals and as a nation.
We believe that every Nigerian has a voice and an opinion. We believe that a consensual approach is needed for effective forward movement. Nigerians need to let out their cry with proactivity in its proper place, thereby generating efficiency and zeal for the pursuit of salvation for our dear home, Nigeria. This is the fundamental reason for initiating The Greener Platform.
THE LAGOSIAN MAGAZINE: What is your greatest passion?
EZEKIEL AKOLAWOLE: Having built a brand in photography and film for almost a decade, I continually thought of how in the midst of pursuing my dreams and aspirations. I can also, through my personal brand, Kennee Dudu use the basic resources that I have, especially my skills to make the little difference that I can in my immediate society and in people’s lives.
It is a fact that citizens of Nigeria especially the youths are discovering more genuinely understandable reasons, why they should not believe in a future with a great nation called Nigeria in it.
My greatest passion is to see fellow Nigerians rise up with one spirit and ignite their hope and believe in a greener Nigeria. To be identified with a nation whose people are no longer seen as criminals by the rest of the world. To make enough room for collaboration and togetherness in our drive to birth patriotism through consistency.
AKOLAWOLE AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHIC ART
