Nigerian University alumni, others to host photo exhibition in honour of IDPs

Three alumni of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) will from December 9 host a photo exhibition to celebrate internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Adamawa State, North-east Nigeria.

The exhibition will take place at the Madugu Rockview Hotel, in Jimata, one of the suburbs of Yola Capital city.

Operating under the aegis of Akam Contemporary, the two-day programme tagged, “The Refugee Prayer,” will among other things, project human dignity through visual arts.

One of the organisers and AUN alumnus, Nelly Ating, said the human-interest photo exhibition will showcase gripping images of people displaced by insurgency; their smiles, pain, and resilience.

“The photo exhibition will curate the stories of these people for historical purposes, showcasing their strength and restoring trust in humanity,” Ms. Ating said.

The exhibition will be organised by Ms. Ating and Haye Okoh, both of AUN Class of 2012, and Ibrahim Ciroma of the Class of 2009.

The trio are working in collaboration with Team Bindow, the Adamawa State governor’s pet project, and Pulse Nigeria, an online newspaper.

The event will also honour some local groups in the state for their support and commitment to helping and ameliorating the sufferings of the IDPs.

Adamawa State governor, Muhammad Jibrila, will serve as special guest of honour at the event, which will also be attended by representatives of international aid organisations.

The Director-General of the National Emergency Agency, Mohammed Sani Sidi, is expected to give the keynote speech at the exhibition.

“The exhibition will celebrate the IDPs through our lenses and will honour some of the local groups that sacrificed their comfort, food, and shelter for victims of the insurgency.

“And this is the true African pride. Proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to cover medical bills of the IDPs,” Ms. Ating said.