Meet The Pure Water Seller Who Became President Muhammed Buhari Official Photographer

I'm deadly sure you have seen many breathtaking and eye-catching pictures of President Muhammed Buhari and gosh over the perfection in every view. You will agree with me that even though many are not satisfied with the administration of President Muhammed Buhari, their heart always melt anytime they see a new picture of their president looking dashing and delectable.

Those pictorial masterpieces are the brain work of a pure water seller who strived hard to become one of the most celebrated photographers in Nigeria and official photographer of president Muhammed Buhari-- Bayo Omoboriowo.






Bayo Omoboriowo is a 33 years old Ekiti born photographer who had it rough while growing up. The graduate of Applied Chemistry from University of Lagos had assess to N2000 only every month as feeding allowance. That's a meagre amount for contemporary youths to buy data subscription in one week.

Omoboriowo was born and raised in Mushin, Lagos where he graduated with a BSc degree in pure and applied chemistry from the University of Lagos.






The 33-years-old Bayo who is now the official photographer of president Muhammed Buhari and junket all over the world with the president of most populous black country in the world didn't have it smooth while growing up.

Speaking about the struggle and how he thought he was not going to make it in life, In an Instagram post, he said:

“In case you don’t know, I have suffered very well in my life o. I cried at a time in my life because I didn’t have garri to drink, my allowance in UNILAG days was N2000 per month."

“I have also hawked pure water before and at different times it looked as though I was never going to be great".

However, like the light that always shine at the end of the tunnel, Omoboriowo reminisced about how God shined the light and he found his path.

Then he added that, “Today I look back at all those days and smile because God has been super good to me.

“I am so convinced and excited about tomorrow cos I know the path of the righteous is like shining light and it shines brighter and brighter every day.

“Don’t give up, your light would shine and you shall be celebrated. Trust God and Trust your Unique Journey!”

Bayo Omoboriowo is a photographer who has an unwavering passion for development hence the nature of photography he has been involved in, which he simply calls ‘Reality Photography’.

He believes the pictures he takes today are materials of communication for tomorrow and these drives him all around Nigeria as he tells the story of everyday reality. His works have been widely published and remain as one of the most used materials on social media platforms. With his series on Nigerian Unsung Heroines which was featured recently on CNN, he is on a mission to celebrate exceptional people contributing to the development of Nigeria.






He is presently exhibiting his work titled 'Red Gold' which is a body of work calling the attention of the Nigerian government to the once upon a time bubbling palm oil production industry.

He has since handled various projects some of which were with Sahara Energy, Malaria No More UK, USAID, Department for International Development (DFID)- Gems 2 and 4, African University of Creative Arts (AUCA), NOKIA, Oby Ezekwesili Foundation, Dell Nigeria, Leap Africa, Spanish embassy, Alliance Francaise, Afrinolly, Unilever to mention a few.

He is the founder and project manager for Photographer's Collage (a platform he established to ensure a progressive movement for the photography industry in Nigeria which has recorded massive success in its first season) , Project coordinator for Photograph A Child (an annual project which uses photography as an approach to supporting the under-served around Lagos Nigeria).






He has trained over 100 aspiring photographers, mentored directly about 15 emerging photographers and has been part of various workshops, conferences and programs where he has impacted countless numbers of lives using photography as a channel.

Talking about conjugal bliss, Bayo Omoboriowo tied the knot with Lola Omitokun in 2015 and they are blessed with beautiful children.






GIVING BACK TO THE SOCIETY

Knowing his background and the importance of education, Omoboriowo gave back to the society by renovating school buildings in his hometown, Ekiti and giving out 1000 school bags to pupils in the state.






The photographer said he was compelled to give back to society, especially students, because God had favoured him by affording him with the privilege to work with President Buhari.

Omoboriowo met with former president of America, Barack Obama and recounted how the former president shook his hand and pat him at the back.





The life experience of Bayo Omoboriowo is unarguably a bittersweet one and nonetheless a motivating one.

This is to say in every path we toil in life, we shouldn't give up and we should strive to be the best in whatever we do.