The Society of Practicing Television Cameramen (SOPTCAM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has inaugurated its first democratically elected executive committee, with stakeholders advocating enhanced professionalism, digital innovation and continuous capacity building for television cameramen.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja, brought together media practitioners and industry leaders to strengthen the role of television cameramen in Nigeria’s evolving broadcast landscape.
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement, urging the new leadership to prioritise training in digital production, multimedia journalism, visual ethics and emerging technologies. She noted that advancements in mobile journalism have transformed the profession, enabling cameramen to produce compelling stories directly from the field.
Ike pledged the council’s support for workshops, certification programmes and digital skills training, while encouraging the association to organise its first capacity-building programme before the end of the year. She also stressed the need for ethical journalism, innovation, self-development and greater inclusion of women in the profession.
National President of SOPTCAM, Olugbenga Emmanuel, encouraged members to view television camera work as a structured business, urging them to build professional brands, embrace storytelling, documentary and drone technologies, and strengthen their online presence. He also emphasised the importance of protecting intellectual property and positioning Nigerian visual creatives for global opportunities.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman of SOPTCAM FCT, Ekundayo Femi, pledged to advance members’ welfare and professional development through a six-point agenda focused on training, certification, welfare, employment opportunities, ethics, improved access to modern equipment, discipline, unity and transparency.
Vice Chairman, Comrade Akinbola A. Habeeb, reaffirmed the executive’s commitment to enforcing discipline, promoting ethical standards and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance members’ career prospects.
The inauguration marks a significant milestone for SOPTCAM FCT as the association seeks to strengthen the capacity and welfare of television cameramen while positioning them to meet the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving media industry.