The first edition of Lens For Good—The Storyteller’s Conference took place on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Landmark Event Center in Lagos, which witnessed the gathering of creatives, storytellers, photographers, content creators, and others. The event was themed “Shaping Nigeria’s Narratives Through Positive Storytelling.
The event was organized by Mr. Nosa Asemota, the Special Assistant Visual Communications and personal photographer to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Temi Badru, an international event host and lawyer, was the host of this event. A remarkable number of celebrities, media figures, top visual storytellers, photographers, videographers, and content producers attended the event such as the Honorable Minister Ayodele Olawande, TY Bello, Adedayo Ayoade (CEO, Gbedu Vibes), Fisayo Fosudo, Timi Agbaje, Tobi Ayeni (Miss Techy), Hawa Magaji, Fola David, Oluwatosin Ajibade, Ademola Olaniran, Henry Oji (Big H Studios), Timmy Davies, Salem King, Niyi Fagbemi, Tolani Alli, Asiri Comedy, Olufemi Oguntamu, and many others.
The Lens For Good Storyteller’s conference was opened with a captivating speed painting performance by Dr. Fola David, who aimed to set a Guinness World Record for the largest drawing in July 2024. He was joined by the well-known Nigerian band 121Selah and spoken word performer IBQuake. Dr. Fola David painted live and upside down in less than ten minutes, producing a masterpiece called “Lens For Good.” Inspired by a videographer with his camera, the small child in the painting used a bottle water cap as a lens, conveying the essence of creativity and storytelling in a lovely way.
The event featured three thought-provoking panel sessions, each exploring different aspects of storytelling and its power to shape narratives. The first panel, titled “The Future Dynamics of Nigerian Content Creation,” featured a dynamic discussion moderated by radio host and digital content creator, Hawa Magaji. The panel brought together some of the most influential voices in the digital space, including Adedayo Ayoade, Fisayo Fosudo, Timi Agbaje, and Tobi Ayeni. Adedayo Ayoade, a seasoned digital entrepreneur, delved into the business side of content creation, emphasizing how Nigerian creatives can leverage digital tools and platforms to monetize their work, scale their influence, and build sustainable careers. Fisayo Fosudo, a leading YouTuber known for his tech reviews and creative storytelling, shared his journey of navigating the digital space, focusing on building a personal brand and engaging a growing audience both in Nigeria and internationally. Timi Agbaje, an accomplished lawyer and creative storyteller, examined the evolving legal landscape and its impact on the future of content creation in Nigeria. Tobi Ayeni, a prominent tech blogger, discussed the role of technology in shaping content creation, highlighting emerging trends and the necessity of staying adaptable in a rapidly changing media environment.
The second panel, titled “Nurturing Creator Growth: Exploring the Power of Collaboration, Embracing Mentorship, and Overcoming Challenges,” offered valuable insights into the factors that contribute to creative success. Moderated by freelance content creator Salem King, the panel featured industry experts like Ademola Olaniran, Henry Oji (Big H), Timmy Davies, and TY Bello. Ademola Olaniran, a dynamic entrepreneur and creative strategist, shared practical strategies for overcoming the common challenges that creators face. Henry Oji, a prominent photographer and industry innovator, emphasized the importance of collaboration in fostering creativity and career growth. Renowned Nigerian photographer and storyteller Timmy Davies discussed the power of visual storytelling in shaping narratives.
TY Bello, a celebrated photographer, musician, and creative mentor, provided her unique perspective on how collaboration and mentorship can elevate creative work. She also shared a personal story about how she became a photographer, revealing that it happened by “mistake” through the people she surrounded herself with. “I was a hairdresser for 7 years, I studied economics at the University of Lagos, and I was a stylist when I was in school. I just love to make people look beautiful. When I stumbled upon a popular photographer, Jackie Philips, I immediately knew that photography would be the perfect way to express everything I’ve been trying to do.” With 25 years of experience as a photographer, TY Bello stated how these unexpected turns in her journey, combined with the right mentorship and collaboration, shaped her career and creative vision.
The third panel, titled “Roles of Storytellers in Nation Building,” was a compelling discussion that underscored the power of storytelling in shaping a nation’s identity and future. Moderated by Tobi Johnson, the panel featured distinguished storytellers such as Tolani Alli, an award-winning photographer, Niyi Fagbemi, a travel and documentary filmmaker, Edward Wonder aka Authentic Cyclist; and Mayor Otu, a Nigerian documentary photographer.
Tolani Alli spoke passionately about how her curiosity drives her storytelling. She emphasized the importance of originality and authenticity, stating, “I’m a curious person; I like to see things first, then the answer.” This curiosity has not only shaped her career but also empowered her to present narratives that resonate with audiences. She also discussed the role of unity and support in national development, citing examples like Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record for cooking and Dr. Fola David’s attempt at the longest painting for the Guinness World Record attempt. Alli highlighted how these achievements, backed by collective support, contribute to positive storytelling that uplifts the nation. Edward Wonder shared his personal experience, reflecting on the impact of storytelling on national perception. Growing up as a lover of Bollywood films, he admired how the Mumbai film industry consistently portrayed the richness and positivity of their culture. However, during his travels, he was hesitant to return to Nigeria because of the negative stories he encountered about the country. He said , “While I was away from Nigeria, all the stories I heard were not encouraging me to return. Now imagine, as a Nigerian, not wanting to come back because of these stories, how much more, then, would people who are not Nigerians be willing to visit?”. Wonder stressed the crucial role of positive storytelling in promoting a nation’s beauty and richness, which can, in turn, drive national development.
Nosa Asemota, the convener of Lens For Good Storyteller’s Conference, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in shaping the future of Nigeria. He highlighted the vision behind the conference, stating, “Our narratives are the bedrock of our identity, and it is through positive storytelling that we can reshape the future of our nation.”
Another highlight of the conference was the announcement of a grant aimed at empowering emerging storytellers, photographers, and content creators. The grant, designed to support projects that promote positive narratives, is now open for applications. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply via the official website: www.lensforgood.com.
Lens For Good—The Storyteller’s Conference marked a significant step forward in the movement to shape Nigeria’s narratives through positive storytelling. For more information about the event and future opportunities, visit their website at www.lensforgood.com.
