By promise Eze
Bayo Omoboriowo, the former official photographer of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, revealed in a Monday interview with Channels Television that his appointment was devoid of any political connections.
He attributed his role to his talent as a creative and freelance documentary photographer, emphasizing that his passion and dedication, including providing free photographs for various events and BellaNaija blog documentaries in Lagos, ultimately led him to work with Buhari.
Omoboriowo added that his opportunity arose when he was contacted from the United Kingdom for a photography role.
He said, “I returned to the University of Lagos after my service year as a squatter in one of the hostels to learn Photoshop despite being a graduate of Pure and Applied Chemistry. That’s where I learned the quality I now give to my job today.
“BellaNaija started showing what we were doing, and the world started noticing my craft. So, being celebrated on a global stage started in 2012 when I won the Future Awards for the Creative Artist of The Year. From there, I won several awards.
“In 2014, I saw an advert for the APC National Convention, but before then, I had photographed former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi’s campaign, where he lost. I also photographed former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
“When I got to the APC convention for coverage, they stole my phone and it was at that point Buhari was voting. It was there I told God to reward my handwork. I don’t know anybody, I was only passionate about my talent.”
He said, “In January 2015, I was called. Buhari needed a photographer, and I was the one that fit in. I don’t know anybody or his associates. In fact, the only time I entered Aso Villa was when I was an awardee. Then, a campaign started. We went to Rivers, where the campaign started, and then I started taking his photographs.”
Omoboriowo was formally appointed by Buhari as his official photographer in 2015 and was also reappointed in 2019.
