A Graduate of Business Education (Accounting) from Tai Solarin University Of Education. He served as a Corp member in the Kogi State Government House.
Dewunmi is a passionate young man who brings his all to whatever he finds a worthy cause. And he easily blends into the team. Easily.
His love for photography began in 2015 when he interned with Wazobia TV and Wazobia FM. He was posted to the Content department. There he began his journey into photography and was always interested in anything that has to do with photography.
His skill as a photographer earned him a recognition letter from the DG of NYSC through state coordinator. He later became the Team lead of Media and Publicity for Corpers in kogi state before he finished his service to the Nation as a Corps member in 2019.
Dewunmi Lagos is a Documentary photographers based in Lagos. During the heat of the Corona virus pandemic, he documented some major parts of Lagos state in their emptiness. Some of the photos were projected at the Regina University, Canada.
He is one of those who use photography to tell stories behind subjects. One of his image raised money for a woman in Oworonshoki who had been a single mother since 1987 and many more.
Join me as we have interactive session with the one and only Dewunmi Lagos:
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos, welcome on board
Dewunmi Lagos: Thank you so much for having me. You're doing well here.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos thank you so much for honouring us,Dewunmi Lagos is a brand name that had gone so viral, tell us what brought about the name?
Dewunmi Lagos: Thank you. Adewunmi is my name and during my university days, guys turned my name to Dewunmi. Lagos came from university days when they were trying to separate me and one guy that answered Dewunmi. So I took it up when the former governor of Lagos state said I was passionate about Lagos during my advocate for Ikorodu.It was at that time I engaged the Representative of Ikorodu at all levels.
Olorimoblog: Wow, so the name just go stuck. Can, we know more about Adewunmi and how was growing up like?
Dewunmi Lagos: Yes. The name clicked. Growing up eh! Get as he be. So I wanted to work in an insurance firm which has always been my dreams then but you know fate has a way of redirecting us back to our path.
I was very active in church while growing up, I was also a footballer doing things. During my days in the Polytechnic, I was playing for the college team until things changed and we needed to further education in the university. Every of the steps I took while growing up, the sickness and school, hustle and gbogbo eh. We just have to thank God. I think everything brought me here with the grace of God.
Olorimoblog: I'll go straight to the point.
One peculiar thing I've noticed about you is that you don't get tired/fed up.
What exactly drives that engine in you?
Dewunmi Lagos: It took me long to discover why I don't give up. I later know I'm self motivated. When I'm down and others are down, the team spirits wakes me up and motivates me. Set my eyes and mind on the goal and I have no other option than to get things done. Sometimes I break down too but that is when there are no options for me again and I have only been in that situation 2wice. 1 was after my university days and the other was during my service year. During my service year, I was told to head the media team for Tedx adankolo which was possibly the first recognised Tedx in kogi state. We had speakers from all over the country and I remember when I'm down and a particular team motivated me and that singular motivation gave me the boldness to awaken the team. We had a team of about 30, we later brought the whole team down to the active ones which were less than 10. We delivered and till tomorrow they still speak about the event.
Olorimoblog: Apart from photography, what do Dewunmi Lagos do for now?
Dewunmi Lagos: I don't even practice my course of study, so let me say, nothing. I'm rather in my room editing, getting better or in napping out strategies for people.
Olorimoblog: I see you with such great passion for humanity and people, what made you go into helping lives and your stories to the world?
Dewunmi Lagos: I feel the time we have is short, there's little or much we can do. We can only do this to help save humanity and I don't know where I will get to tomorrow and what if this is what God sent me? We just have to keep doing it and helping.
Olorimoblog: As a graduate of Business Education (Accounting ) what brought about the photography brand?
Dewunmi Lagos: Olorimoblog It happened in 2015 when I went for my internship with Wazobia FM. At that time, they were just setting up their TV station into standard and I was opportune to be in the brain room where all happened and where all developed from. Sometimes ,I'll be told to develop skits for the TV and sometimes I'll be told to hold the camera. I did hold it and that was where it all started from. I remember collecting about 39 PDF reading about editing but when I got to my service location, it all made sense to me.
Olorimoblog: The name Dewunmi Lagos has become popular on social media especially facebook, how did you do it and how has facebook helped you?
Dewunmi Lagos: I think at first, it was politics and later on, I found my voice against injustice and then photography. Also I have learnt to manage my friends and stay in touch.
I try not to go into people's comment section to talk bad about them and that has helped me well enough.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos the way you manage your relationship with both the young and old is amazing, how do you get along?
Dewunmi Lagos: One thing is home training and another is respect. When you respect people, they will open their arms to you and give you the opportunity.
Nobody is too small to be respected.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos indeed, I give you kudos on that. Tell us about your relationship with FCCPC boss Mr Babatunde Irukera?
Dewunmi Lagos: Mr Babatunde irukera? He has been a great and he is still great. He's the DG FCCPC. And I'm his photographer. A lot of his engagements and the things he has been involved in but nobody has been talking about them because he loves doing them silently but we thank God.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos so your photography as a brand is growing, tell us how do you see yourself whenever you are holding the camera and where does the mindset behind your stories come from?
Dewunmi Lagos: I see myself as the subject. I create image as if I'm the person you're documenting, I then take images of what I want to see if I was the subject.
And for the story, most times, I'm always speaking to my subjects and asking them of what's going on and how they want the story to be told if they want it told.
Olorimoblog: Do you have video documentary of these stories you have covered or you are working on that?
Dewunmi Lagos: I presently don't have videos because I don't want to go into that for now but later, I will share it when the time comes.
Olorimoblog: Talking about your indept of politics, do you see yourself going into it someday and how as a youth can we drive the force towards a true change in democracy in Nigeria?
Dewunmi Lagos: Olorimoblog, I believe there's politics at all levels and from there we can all be great with things and our dealings. The things that happen in our politics today didn't start from the position but a gradual build up and for me joining politics? I don't think I will even though I don't know what the future calls on that but when you are doing well, I support you with everything irrespective of the political part even though I'm not a member of any. Driving a true change in Nigerias democracy will be a very long journey. There's a bad mind set already which might cause another replica of the 1993 saga reoccurring again because there are fewer people telling the truth than lies.
We need to be able to face ourselves and tell ourselves the truth if we want to be great. Building houses and constructing roads are not what they call democracy.
Olorimoblog: So categorically Adewunmi Oshinaike isnt interested in politics now? how do you advise the youths in politics, leadership post and avenues to create change in the country?
Dewunmi Lagos: Everybody in their mind knows what is right. I'm not sure the advise we give works. What I will only say is "Let what drive you into politics be the source of your results "
Leadership comes with a lot of responsibility and mental engagement, one must be willing and ready to go through all these things to be called a leader.
Lastly, creating a true change in the country will take a lot. Dedications, blood, sweats, money, interests and many more will be involved. We all need to be deliberate about it if we truly want it.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos kudos, let's divert from politics. Who is Dewunmi Lagos outside social media and photography world?
Dewunmi Lagos: I am very very gentle o. Choi. I have a very poor social life. If I'm not sleeping and I'm not doing anything, I don't leave my house. I just put on the gen and watch the TV and enjoy Netflix.
I can't die before my time. (Smiles)
Olorimoblog: Is Dewunmi Lagos single, searching or married?
Dewunmi Lagos: Single and not searching biko.
Olorimoblog: What is the name of your photography brand that will make your fans identify your works?
Dewunmi Lagos: "Dewunmilagos"
I'm working on a unique water mark and once it is out, I will also share with you.
Olorimoblog: What do we expect from you soonest and from your brand?
Dewunmi Lagos: A complied documentary of my works in the last 1year in a book.
Olorimoblog: Would you say that photography has opened doors for you in other endeavours and would you say you that in addition to making money from it,you have also gained a good social capital by the calibre of people you have worked for ? In addition to making money ,what other opportunity or benefit would you say photography has accorded you ?
Dewunmi Lagos: Oh, the gift of people I will say. As of today, I can say photography has made me meet more people who are influential and I have also been able to connect with more grassroots people than before also, sharing their side of every story.
Also, I have had the opportunities of joining canon camera Academy in Lagos photo festival which I was certified for.
Olorimoblog: I see your skill is basically photography, Which photographers influenced you (or best still motivate you) , and how did they influence your thinking and career path?
Dewunmi Lagos: I had chose the career path already. I was ready for it. I have great friends like Bayo Omoboriowo, (Photographer of the president)
Tolani Alli photographer of the VP and many more among others. They keep a tab and I speak to them when the thing don dey get coma.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos
You are actively an advocate of n for the voiceless/needy.
At such an early/young age, any particular reason?
Dewunmi Lagos: I have experienced a near death situation, it is the reason I help people because I don't want any one to experience half of what I have gone through. The voice. I dislike injustice. Which is why I speak up whenever I see one.
Olorimoblog: What technology/software/camera gear do you use to keep focused on what you do best, as a photographer?
Dewunmi Lagos: I use some of the greatest gadgets. I save a lot to buy great gadgets.
Camera : Nikon D750 with a 24-70mm lens.
Lightroom and Photoshop. Also, I read a lot about photography and buy classes to attend. The last one I bought was about 500$
Which was the highest I have ever bought.
Olorimoblog: Where do you see your brand (photography) in years to come?
Dewunmi Lagos: Presently I'm yet to get started. I'm still preparing. But years to come will sort itself. Presently, let's live it as it comes. We will get there gradually.
Olorimoblog: As a photographer do you consider voluntary job at the beginning?
Dewunmi Lagos: I have done a lot of volunteer jobs. A lot. I look for visible ones to work with and make sure I shoot as many as possible.
I believe something that when you shoot for others, whoop for yourself. The shoot for yourself is like the opportunity I have to always develop myself. I made use of ever opportunity I got.
Olorimoblog: Do you have idea on video? Or you are just photography person alone?
Dewunmi Lagos: I do short videos but I don't want to go into videos. Just photography.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi, can you please tell us what is your personal mantra that has always got you going?
Dewunmi Lagos: Keep working. It will work out soon.
Olorimoblog: Dewunmi Lagos it is indeed a great honour having the popular dewunmi Lagos as my guest this week, I must commend you are a great role model to youths out there. Keep being yourself and greater heights. What will be your final word to people , youths and lovers of Dewunmi Lagos
Dewunmi Lagos: Keep working, don't give up. Be contented at every stop but know at the back of your mind that in the game of success, desperation is allowed. I mean positively desperate.
Don't worry, the thing wey never do go plenty still remain.
Thank you for having me, I'm grateful for the support and I'll say you're doing a great works here. God bless you and increase you. Thank. You
Awesome...
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