Canon launches imaging space at UNILAG

Emmanuel Awosika and Faith Enang

Canon has launched an Imaging Space at the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre of the University of Lagos to train students in the art of photography and visual storytelling.

The Canon Imaging Space initiative is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and boasts state-of-the-art imaging equipment, including high-tech cameras and printers.

Students at the University of Lagos will receive practical training from professional photographers and videographers and participate in competitions designed to test their skills and aid their development.

Speaking on the launch of the imaging space, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the school was happy to partner with Canon, saying such collaborations were crucial to developing skills for students.

“It is always a matter of pride and prestige when industry leaders like Canon collaborate with our university thus ensuring we rightly nurture the talent, not just through theory lessons, but also via practical hands-on training,” Ogundipe said.

The Vice-Chancellor called on more companies to take up similar initiatives like Canon, saying that corporate institutions should foster skill acquisition and development in students through training, instead of approaching the university solely for recruitment purposes.

“As times are changing, universities must reinvent the wheel of education, we aspire to do at UNILAG by employing interesting techniques of teaching where students can uniquely learn the art of storytelling with suitable tools available at their disposal to conduct their projects in a much more creative, interesting and contemporary manner,” he added.

Managing Director, Canon Central, and North Africa (CCNA), Somesh Adukia, said the company was dedicated to empowering communities and creating a sustainable environment where the company, its consumers, and communities thrive together.

“Our Canon Ambassadors program is a remarkable case in point, not only has it given a voice to photographers and videographers to express their creativity but also been instrumental in shaping life-long careers in the industry. Our ambassadors from Nigeria, Emmanuel Oyeleke and Yagazie Emezi have both transformed phenomenally with the support of this initiative,” he stated.

Adukia expressed optimism that these initiatives would help discover talents from UNILAG and prepare them for future roles as Canon Ambassadors.