Draft:Pius Utomi Ekpei

Pius Utomi Ekpei, a renowned photojournalist and writer was born on May 5, 1962 at Ebu Town, Delta State in Nigeria.  Early in life, his interest in drawing and oil painting indicated a strong direction of his future endeavour. His march to professional and academic excellence in photojournalism began with his training at the Kenn Professional Studio, Apapa in 1976. He attended Apapa Baptist School, Apapa and Nigerian Model High School in Lagos, for his General Certificate of Education, Ordinary and Advanced Levels.

He attended the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos and obtained a diploma in journalism. He also studied photojournalism at the University of Missouri, School of Journalism, Columbia, Missouri, USA in 1989 and the University of Lagos, where he obtained his B.A. Hons. degree in English (1997-02), Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs (2005-2007) and, M.A. degree in English Literature (2008-2009).

Personal Life

Early Life

Early in life, his interest in drawing and oil painting indicated a clear direction for his future endeavors. His journey toward professional and academic excellence in photojournalism began with his training at Kenn Professional Studio, Apapa, in 1976. He attended Apapa Baptist School, Apapa, and Nigerian Model High School in Lagos, where he completed his General Certificate of Education, Ordinary and Advanced Levels.

Education

He attended the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos, where he obtained a diploma in journalism. He also studied photojournalism at the University of Missouri, School of Journalism, Columbia, Missouri, USA, in 1989, and later attended the University of Lagos, where he earned his B.A. Hons. degree in English (1997–2002), a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs (2005–2007), and an M.A. degree in English Literature (2008–2009).

Religion

He is a Christian, and his faith has influenced various aspects of his life and work. Christian values and beliefs play a guiding role in his personal and professional pursuits, shaping his perspectives and commitments throughout his career.

Professional Career

Career in Photojournalism and Professional Experience

He has vast experience in teaching and practicing photojournalism. He has worked for newspapers and magazine establishments, both domestically and internationally, serving the local and international press in various capacities, including as a photojournalist, Head of Photography, Photo Editor, Photography Editor, member of the editorial board, publicist, and consultant, among others. He began his career as a photojournalist with Daily Times in 1982 and joined The Guardian newspaper in 1986, where his potential and photojournalistic skills were evident through his striking and timeless pictures. His brilliant career culminated in receiving the Willie Vicoy Reuter Fellowship in 1989, making him the first African recipient of the international award in photojournalism and only the third recipient since the award's inception in 1987.

His professional experience includes a stint with The Columbia Missourian in the USA in 1989, as well as work with Reuters (1989–1990), The Sunday Magazine (1990–1992), and The Independent Weekly (1992–1996). He was appointed Publicity Secretary on the board of the Nigeria Yachting Federation (1997–1998) and also served as Editor of Boating and Leisure, the federation's official newsletter. Following his exit from the federation, he returned to mainstream media as a photojournalist and coordinator with Agence France-Presse (AFP), responsible for Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin (1998–2023).

Academic and Professional Leadership

He was formerly an adjunct lecturer in photojournalism at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, and is currently the Executive Director of Rangefinder Nigeria Limited, a well-known multimedia establishment.

Teaching, Public Speaking, and Workshop Contributions

He has served as an external examiner in schools of journalism, guest speaker, and resource person in workshops and seminars. These include an advanced workshop organized by the management of Nigeria’s leading newspaper, Daily Trust, in 2015; “Going into Photography,” the 1st Annual Fotoface Seminar/Photo Exhibition at the French Cultural Centre (2004); “The Influence of Social Media on Today’s Youth,” a paper presented for the Children’s Day celebration at Christower International Schools, Ogun State (2014); Media Relations Training of Trainers by Enable/DFID (2010); a seminar for the Postgraduate Diploma class, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (2002); “The Photojournalist and the Nigerian Child” by UNICEF, Lagos (2002); and a quarterly photo workshop by Kodak International across Nigeria (1999/2000).

Career and Achievements

A veteran artist and journalist for over three decades, he has traveled widely, either as a photojournalist or an artist-photographer, showcasing his artistic and creative works in local and international exhibitions.

International Assignments

As a photojournalist, he has covered a wide range of events, including the insurgency in northeast Nigeria, militancy in the Niger Delta, unrest in the southeast and other parts of the country, the Liberia War in 2003, the Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM) in 2003, presidential elections in Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, and Benin, and several sporting events. These include the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the All African Games in Abuja (2003), the African Senior Athletics Championships (2018), and the African Cup of Nations hosted in Nigeria and Ghana (2000), Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (2012), and Cameroon (2021), among others. His documented work, which spans traditional and contemporary Nigerian arts and culture, the glitz and glamour of fashion, leisure and tourism, the entertainment industry, captivating landscapes, and festivals across the African continent—especially the historic Sokoto Caliphate bicentenary—shows his mastery of the craft.

Notable Exhibitions and Professional Contributions

Following his maiden one-man exhibition, “Just As We Are,” in 1989, he has had several solo and group exhibitions. These include the 41st University of Missouri Photo Workshop/Exhibition at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, USA (1989); North-South-Gap in the View of Artists, a Circus Theatre Federlos tour of Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Switzerland (1994); the 4th Havana Biennial, Cuba (1991); “Land and Water,” a joint exhibition with Italian artist Ezio Quiresi at the Istituto di Cultura (1993); the Contemporary Nigerian Art exhibition at WIPO headquarters in Geneva (1995); the 1st National Creativity Exhibition in Lagos (1995); and coordination of the UNICEF exhibition to mark the African Summit on Roll Back Malaria in Abuja (2000). He also served for a few years as photo consultant to the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria.

Publications, Recognition, and Awards

An author, Pius has collaborated with many other writers on various publications. Apart from his works, which have featured prominently in several local and international newspapers, magazines, periodicals, journals, and movies, he has been listed in the Warren M. Robbins Library of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Library, Washington, D.C., and in other reputable compendiums of art and journalism, including African Contemporary Art (1994 and 1996 editions) and the Media World Yearbook. He is a recipient of several awards, including the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Ecobank in recognition of his outstanding contribution and many years of dedication to the photo industry, marking World Photography Day (2022); the Willie Vicoy Reuter Fellowship (1989); Highly Commended, Commonwealth Photographic Award (2007); Runners-up (African Zone) at the Fifty Crows Fund for Documentary Photography, San Francisco (2003); and prizes at the National Photo Festival (1989). He is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and enjoys listening to good music.