To commemorate 365 days of the EndSARS protest, Eti-Inyene Godwin Akpan (popularly known as Sir Inyene), a renowned documentary photojournalist, will be exhibiting some unique photographs captured during the EndSARs activities of October 2020.
The photographs will bear witness to the voices of protesters, while also demonstrating how Nigerians formed a united front to stand up for the nation.
Akpan, who is also Founder and Executive Director of Africa’s largest photography community, PhotoWaka Africa, visually documented the EndSARS protest from start to end.
He is one of the photographer who successfully documented the night of the shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
His organisation also supported and encouraged young photographers across the country to document the protest for more visual
representation to be shared across the world.
He said: “I have photographed and documented several campaigns over the years but the #EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria is one that will stick with me in my journey as a photographer.
“The events of the #EndSARS protest will not be forgotten in a hurry, hence why I am holding this exhibition which accurately captures the mood and energy of citizens during the protests.”
The photo exhibition, titled “Sorosoke: EndSARS Through My Lens,” will be held between October 20 and 24, to commemorate a year of the EndSARS protest, celebrate the strength, unity and resilience of Nigerians during the peaceful demonstrations.
The exhibition is scheduled hold at the Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) located at Anthony Village, Lagos State.
Creatives from different regions of Nigeria, diplomats, dignitaries, influencers, politicians, captains of industries, as well as local and international media are expected to be in attendance.
The exhibition is also open to the general public, but will be strictly by registration on linktr.ee/Sorosoke.
Eti-Inyene and his team believe this project will ignite great and intelligent conversations, as well as preserve the memory of time hundreds of thousands of Nigerians globally came out to ‘Sorosoke,’ which means Speak up, and those who died during the protest, as well as those who may have lost their lives to police brutality in Nigeria.
Commenting further, Eti-Inyene said: “For me, the prize is that everyday, I get to live my purpose and make photographs that tell stories which can potentially create positive change. This is not to shame any individual or political group, but share my perception, as a documentary photojournalist, of the events that happened during the EndSARS protest and my recommendations for the days ahead.”
In October 2020, thousands of Nigerians across the country and in the Diaspora flocked out to protest against police brutality, injustice and bad governance in general.
The protests, tagged #EndSARS, sparked conversations and reactions from thousands of Nigerians and non-Nigerians online and also led to the disbandment of the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare