ISPPAN Visits Oru West Chairman Engr. Ikenna Adikibe, Announces Patron Adoption and 2026 Merit Award

Ahead of the 2026 World Photography Day celebration, the Executive Council of the Imo State Professional Photographers and Videographers Association of Nigeria (ISPPAN), led by its President, Comrd. Onyeahialam Chibueze T. of Lovers Multimedia, paid a familiarization and courtesy visit to Engr. Ikenna Anthony Adikibe, Executive Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter.

The delegation included executives of ISPPAN's Oru West and Oru East branches, reflecting the association's commitment to strengthening relationships between professional photographers, videographers and local government institutions across Imo State.

The visit focused on extending a formal invitation to World Photography Day 2026, proposing the Chairman's adoption as a Patron of ISPPAN Imo State, and announcing the association's intention to recognise him with a merit award.

Strengthening Institutional Relations in Oru West

The courtesy visit provided an opportunity for ISPPAN's leadership to engage with the Oru West Local Government administration and discuss opportunities for professional collaboration.

The association explained that its engagement with public officeholders is part of a wider effort to promote the recognition of professional photography and videography as important tools for documentation, public communication and community development.

During the visit, Engr. Adikibe personally accompanied the ISPPAN delegation on a tour of selected locations within the local government area.

The delegation inspected several projects described as completed or ongoing, gaining firsthand exposure to development activities presented by the Chairman.

Delegation Witnesses Palliative Distribution

The tour also included an opportunity for the visiting ISPPAN executives to observe a palliative distribution exercise organised ahead of the August Women's Meeting.

According to the association's account, women present at the distribution received one bag of rice each from the Chairman.

The visit enabled members of the delegation to document and observe activities taking place within Oru West Local Government Area.

Formal Invitation to World Photography Day 2026

Following the tour, the delegation was received at the Chairman's office, where Comrd. Onyeahialam formally presented the purpose of the visit.

He invited Engr. Adikibe and his entourage to the association's World Photography Day 2026 celebration, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at GLO RAN HOTEL, behind Ebere Links Filling Station, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

The celebration, held under the theme “HOME,” was designed to recognise the contributions of photographers and videographers while strengthening relationships within the creative industry.

ISPPAN Proposes Patron Recognition and Merit Award

During the engagement, the association communicated its decision to adopt Engr. Adikibe as a Patron of ISPPAN Imo State, subject to his acceptance.

The leadership also proposed recognising him with the “Best LGA Chairman of the Year 2026” award.

According to ISPPAN, the proposed recognition was informed by the Chairman's contributions to the media industry and the association's assessment of his work within the local government administration.

The association described the award as an expression of appreciation for the support it attributed to the Chairman and his role in the Shared Prosperity Government of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Editorial accuracy: The supplied report establishes the association's intention to adopt him as Patron and honour him with an award. It does not establish that he formally accepted the patronage or received the award. Do not present either outcome as completed without confirmation.

President Requests Professional Photography Appointment

The ISPPAN President also appealed to the Chairman to consider employing a professional photographer from the association as his Personal Photographer.

Comrd. Onyeahialam explained that the Chairman's responsibilities as ALGON Chairman involve engagements across Imo State's 27 local government areas, making professional visual documentation particularly relevant.

The request highlighted ISPPAN's broader objective of creating opportunities for qualified members to contribute their skills to public administration, institutional communication and official documentation.

Advancing Professional Recognition and Collaboration

The visit formed part of ISPPAN's institutional engagements ahead of World Photography Day 2026.

Through its interactions with local government authorities and other public institutions, the association continues to advocate for professional opportunities, industry recognition and closer cooperation between photographers, videographers and stakeholders across Imo State.

ISPPAN remains committed to strengthening the photography and videography profession through unity, training, professional development and institutional partnerships.

About ISPPAN

The Imo State Professional Photographers and Videographers Association of Nigeria (ISPPAN) is a professional association dedicated to promoting excellence, unity, collaboration and industry development among photographers and videographers in Imo State.