Nigeria is, indeed, a land of diverse people. While this diversity is yet to be fully harnessed into a national ideal largely because of inept leadership and a docile followership, there is no denying the potentials inherent in this diversity. And, it was this diversity that Rueters photographer George Esiri played up to good effect when he mounted a photography exhibition of President Goodluck Jonathan as he captured it while the President was on his campaign tour canvassing for votesTHIS was at the Special Picture Exhibition of the 2011 National Presidential Campaign of the PDP held at the Musa YarAdua Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday and tagged The Peoples President. The photographer Esiri, who is also the brother of Nigerian actor Justus Esiri, said he had been on Jonathans trail since he became Bayelsa State governor. When the presidential campaigns of the PDP started again with Jonathan as the candidate, Esiri stated that he had no second thought than to join and capture the man whose future greatness was almost a given.For Jonathan, the photographs on display, which show various Nigerian people and their unique cultural attributes, especially their dress styles, not only exposed him to the nations diverse cultures but afforded him the opportunity to get to know Nigeria more than he could have learnt in a Geography class. He was quick to express how this diversity, which is expressed in different dress colours of the diverse groups of Nigerian people, was like a rainbow that holds out a bright future for the country in the years ahead. For him, Nigerias diversity as expressed in the different colourful dresses induced a humbling effect in him, and the aspiration to strive harder to move Nigeria forward, especially in the areas of electricity, water and other developmental challenges.Jonathan stated, Going through the country gave me the privilege of knowing more about Nigeria. When you travel from the coastal parts of the Atlantic sea, and pass through the mangrove swamps, through the rain forest areas, the savannah belt; and further pass through the Guinea Savannah, the Sahel Savannah into the semi desert areas, and then go through the rocky parts, the flat terrain of the country; it gives you a picture of a country with different ecological zones that could be really harnessed.He explained that the pattern of dress of each tribe in the country stands the tribe out. Jonathan further stated that of particular interest is the fact that each of these tribes has a hat that is unique to them from the north to the south, with colours that shine through.The colours I see tell me of a bright future, of a country that has hope, that if we collectively work together we shall reform this country. Im happy to be a part of this project, the Nigerian project, to play our little role to see that we collectively recreate a country for our younger generation. So that the children who are coming up could take certain things for granted.While declaring it open, Special Assistant to the President on Research, Strategy and Documentation Mr. Oronto Douglas said the potential of keeping the memory of Jonathan alive two hundred years away from now. He also praised the determination of the photographer Esiri in carrying out the project without any assistance.Indeed, the pictures show different Nigerian tribes in their best attires worn in flamboyant styles typical of campaign events. The photographs Esiri had on display show the Yoruba with their flowing, assorted agbada. Some are made in woven cloth materials while others are in aso oke and some in ordinary wax print materials. The typical kabiyesi or dog-ear cap complete the dress styles. Moving south, Jonathan is captured in the traditional Edo or Benin dress most worn by the chiefs or even the obaa while flowing top dress and a cloth wound round the waist and complete with royal beads adorning the neck. Hat is not a fashion item among the Bini people of Edo State.This is closely followed by the Delta dress sensea lace top over a George wrapper with beads, a resource control, broad-rimmed hat and a walking stick to match. Further down are the Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River people, who are noted for their colourful top over wrapper dress with skull-cap. Of course, the Igbo are also noted for their variegated tunic over trousers and matching ozo red cap. Further northward, the president is adorned in the traditional dress of the Igala, Tiv and Idoma with their varying degrees of the stripped black and white, zebra-like attires that stand them out. And up north, Jonathan is also shown stepping out in the Hausa and Fulani white flowing caftan like a prince of the Savannah Emirates.Not to be forgotten is a photograph showing Mr. President with his former boss, the late President Umaru YarAdua. This photograph is in black and white and stands out in bold relief.In each of these colourful attires showing him and his various party hosts in these places, there is a pervading festive and joyous mood typical of political campaigns and sloganeering. Esiris 52 photographs on display capture joyous moments as he trailed Mr. President as he traversed the length and breadth of the nation soliciting votes from Nigerians.The photographer said he had been following Jonathan right from the Presidents days as deputy governor of Bayelsa State because he was convinced that Jonathan was a special person and would make history. On what informed his initiative for the project, he stated, I was looking at it from the angle of somebody from the south, who is campaigning for the first time to be the President of this nation, who is whole-heartedly supported by people in the south and those in the north. But I said to myself, whether he wins or loses, he has to be documented. That was what informed my documentation of the president.It was hectic, harrowing, and tough because at times I would just travel with a pair of trousers and T-shirt for a week with my bag, laptop and camera. There are some states I will get to I wont get a hotel to stay. It was stressful but I thank God.You see, I have been in photography since 1986 when I worked with Vanguard. I was there till 1988; then I joined The Guardian, where I was from 1989 to 1990 then to Prime People, where I won the NUJ Photographer of the Year Award 1990. Then I went to Denmark. I was invited as the only African photographer to go and document some stuff. I came back and went back to The Guardian. Eventually, I joined Reuters, an international news agency. When I got to Reuters they said they dont want a Nigerian photographer. But they tried everybody else but they failed I was with them for 10 years covering the creeks, the militants, the north, especially when there is crisis. Sometimes, they sent me to South Africa to cover events.It took me five days to pick the photographs on display because there are some strong pictures, but I was confused. So, on the fifth day, I just started choosing because I have a big bank of photographs. It took me time to choose and went to print, nobody chose for me.Present at the photo exhibition on Jonathan were the Peoples Democratic Party chairman Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohemmed and his Information and Communications counterpart Mr. Labaran Maku. Others were Foreign Affairs Minister, Henry Odein Ajumogobia and his Ministry of Justice counterpart, Adetokumbo Kayode, Special Assistant on International Affairs Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa (Jnr) and several other top government functionaries.
Click here to read full news..
