Young and talented photographer Omo Pablo shows his Universe at the heart of Nigeria.
So much we can discover and so much there is to tell when you have the talent of photography. OLANREWAJU KENNETH KAYODE, or Omo Pablo (his nickname) has only 21 years old but has already a strong photograph identity to show the world. He "wants to tell a story", he says. Pablo captures the life in Benin - Nigeria with his bold signature and diverse landscape that we just want to learn more and more about.
Paula Andriguetto @paulandriguetto
MY NAME IS OLANREWAJU KENNETH KAYODE / I WAS BORN ON THE 7TH OF OCTOBER 1995 / I AM FROM KOGI STATE/
MY NICKNAME IS "OMO PABLO" / I AM 21 YEARS OLD /
I WAS BORN AT IKEJA LAGOS STATE NIGERIA / I LIVE IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE NIGERIA /
I AM SINGLE / I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN NOW BUT HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAREST FUTURE.
MY NICKNAME IS "OMO PABLO" / I AM 21 YEARS OLD /
I WAS BORN AT IKEJA LAGOS STATE NIGERIA / I LIVE IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE NIGERIA /
I AM SINGLE / I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN NOW BUT HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAREST FUTURE.
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"That's Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It falls under the South region in Nigeria, it is also the heartbeat of the nation. It is a great city with great people." |
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I WAS GIVEN BIRTH BY MY FATHER FROM KOGI STATE, NIGERIA AND MOTHER FROM LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA. I AM THE SECOND CHILD OF MY FAMILY, I HAVE 2 LOVELY SIBLINGS (A GIRL AND A BOY). I AM HOPING TO STUDY MASS COMMUNICATION AT THE PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY OF BENIN /
I SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY AND MY NATIVE LANGUAGE, YORUBA.
I SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY AND MY NATIVE LANGUAGE, YORUBA.
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FREIHEIT : When did you start to take photos?
Omo Pablo: I started photography last year (2015).
FREIHEIT : What type of camera do you use?
Omo Pablo : I use a Nikon D3100.
FREIHEIT : Who are the people you capture?
Omo Pablo : I capture everybody.
FREIHEIT : Family, friends, random people?
Omo Pablo : Lately random people. I also like making self portrait.
FREIHEIT : What do you want to transmit through your work?
Omo Pablo : What I want to transmit depends on where you are looking from. I want to transmit originality and true art.
FREIHEIT: Do people usually like to be in front of the camera? What do you do for them to be comfortable and relaxed for the shooting?
Omo Pablo : People don't really like staying in front of the camera, especially in Edo State. People here are really, really scared of the camera. I go to explaining before I take any picture. I tell them to smile and not to worry. It's part of the job.
Omo Pablo: I started photography last year (2015).
FREIHEIT : What type of camera do you use?
Omo Pablo : I use a Nikon D3100.
FREIHEIT : Who are the people you capture?
Omo Pablo : I capture everybody.
FREIHEIT : Family, friends, random people?
Omo Pablo : Lately random people. I also like making self portrait.
FREIHEIT : What do you want to transmit through your work?
Omo Pablo : What I want to transmit depends on where you are looking from. I want to transmit originality and true art.
FREIHEIT: Do people usually like to be in front of the camera? What do you do for them to be comfortable and relaxed for the shooting?
Omo Pablo : People don't really like staying in front of the camera, especially in Edo State. People here are really, really scared of the camera. I go to explaining before I take any picture. I tell them to smile and not to worry. It's part of the job.
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"Nigeria is not a divided country. We are just a multiethnic society"
FREIHEIT : The other day The Guardian had an article about the division in Nigeria and it was stated that “The changes in parts of the south are moving much faster than in the north. Nigeria is a fragmented country in many respects, with political, cultural and economic trajectories moving in different directions at a different pace.” What are your comments about that statement?
Omo Pablo : About that statement, I will say Nigeria is a growing country but to say it is divided is a lie. I know the country is passing through hard times now but that is the process of growing as citizens. No doubt that the changes in the South are moving much more faster than the ones in the North because the southern regions are making use of their available resources to improve themselves although they are having some problems with the federal government. On the other hand, the northern regions had always relied on their political strength.
FREIHEIT : Do you see Nigeria as a divided country?
Omo Pablo: No, Nigeria is not a divided country. We are just a multiethnic society.
Omo Pablo : About that statement, I will say Nigeria is a growing country but to say it is divided is a lie. I know the country is passing through hard times now but that is the process of growing as citizens. No doubt that the changes in the South are moving much more faster than the ones in the North because the southern regions are making use of their available resources to improve themselves although they are having some problems with the federal government. On the other hand, the northern regions had always relied on their political strength.
FREIHEIT : Do you see Nigeria as a divided country?
Omo Pablo: No, Nigeria is not a divided country. We are just a multiethnic society.
"The photos I like shooting the most are the street photography, documentary photography. I want to use my pictures to tell a story."
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FREIHEIT : What is freedom to you?
Omo Pablo : Freedom to me is self ownership. It's when you are in control of your body and mind, when you are free to do what your mind says without been controlled by anyone. When you are free to make mistakes, learn from mistakes and correct your mistakes. That's freedom to me.
FREIHEIT : What was the photo you liked shooting the most?
Omo Pablo : The photos I like shooting the most are the street photography, documentary photography. I want to use my pictures to tell a story.
FREIHEIT : Could you tell us more about the locations and the places we see on your photos?
Omo Pablo: That's Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It falls under the South region in Nigeria, it is also the heartbeat of the nation. It is a great city with great people.
FREIHEIT : Do you have any upcoming projects? What are they?
Omo Pablo : Yes, I have upcoming projects I want to work on but for now I am still doing some research. I will let you guys know when the time is right!
Omo Pablo : Freedom to me is self ownership. It's when you are in control of your body and mind, when you are free to do what your mind says without been controlled by anyone. When you are free to make mistakes, learn from mistakes and correct your mistakes. That's freedom to me.
FREIHEIT : What was the photo you liked shooting the most?
Omo Pablo : The photos I like shooting the most are the street photography, documentary photography. I want to use my pictures to tell a story.
FREIHEIT : Could you tell us more about the locations and the places we see on your photos?
Omo Pablo: That's Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It falls under the South region in Nigeria, it is also the heartbeat of the nation. It is a great city with great people.
FREIHEIT : Do you have any upcoming projects? What are they?
Omo Pablo : Yes, I have upcoming projects I want to work on but for now I am still doing some research. I will let you guys know when the time is right!
Follow the impressive work of @omo_pablo on Instagram.
