An award-winning photographer wants to establish photo academy

Sani Maikatanga is an ace and fearless photographer with  Daily Trust Newspapers , Maikatanga is the chief photographer with the Newspaper’s regional office in Kano, in a chat with the Nigerian Tracker  Maikatanga said his main ambition is to establish Photography academy, this serious man performs hid duty with exceptional diligence ,passion and dedication  and he had to his credit several awards.

Maikatanga was the only photo journalist during the burial of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua that risks his life and captured the first row where the chief Imam of Katsina GRA led the prayers for the repose of Late President Yar’adua and other outstanding  pictures to his credit.

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Birth

I was born on the 15 of August 1975 to the family of Alhaji Muhammad Maikatanga, a native of Kazaure local government area of Jigawa state and Hajiya Hauwa Dodon Aku, from Gumel local government area of the same state.

Out of 10 children born to my father, I am the second, following our eldest brother Muhammad Auwal. Also, on my mother’s side Iam the second child after Haruna, who is from a different father.

Childhood and education

I started my primary education at Giginyu Special Primary School from where I graduated in 1988 before proceeding to Government Boys Secondary School Kawaji, then to Government Boys Secondary School in Tarauni and finally to Government Technical College Kofar Nassarawa. I studied electronics and graduated in 1994.

Thereafter, I enrolled at Federal College of Education Technical (FCE) Bichi from 1995 to 1999, from which I obtained a certificate in Electrical/Electronic.

Family

I married in December 2002 and the marriage is blessed with four lovely children ,two boys and two girls.

My Journey to Photography

I developed interest in photography in 1992 when two acquaintances—Salisu Baso, then a staff of Kano Sports Council (now with the Triumph Newspaper) and Tijjani, a staff of the Nigeria Television Authority—established a photo studio in Kano. They employed me to  assist   them in the  studio, where I was made in charge of the daily running of the facility until I got admission into FCE Bichi in 1995.

Four years later, I was again contacted to join another studio called Babson, where I worked for less than a year before moving to  another one known as Galaxy Studio. I was referred to the manager of the studio due to the skills I had earlier acquired in the photography world.

It was at that moment that I joined one of my childhood friends, Ibrahim Musa Giginyu and other colleagues to set up a drama group which gave me the opportunity to further sharpen my skills in photography.

Filmmaking and Photojournalism

In the year 2000, I came across one Tijjani Ibrahim (now deceased)—a film director and a Staff of the Central Television (CTV, now Abubakar Rimi Television, ARTV), who first introduced me to filmmaking activities.

Through Mr Ibrahim, I also met Ashafa Murnai Barkiya, who was the editor of Mujallar Fim (Film Magazine), and entertainment publication founded two years earlier.

Satisfied with my skills in photography, the editors at Mujallar Film engaged me to snap pictures of actors and other celebrities for publication in the magazine.

Interestingly, the publisher and founder of the Film Magazine, Ibrahim Sheme, was also the editor of Leadership Newspapers.

It was Mr Sheme that exposed me to the art of photojournalism when he referred me to the publishers of Leadership newspaper, where I got a job.

I remained in the employment of Leadership newspaper with Mr Sheme until 2009 when Media Trust Limited (Publishers of Daily Trust newspaper titles) opened their branch office in Kano.

Jaafar Jaafar the current Publisher and Editor In chief Daily Nigerian Newspaper, a longtime friend , was the person who offered me the chance to work with Daily Trust as a photographer after I left Leadership.

When the Daily Trust office opened, the then Regional Editor, Malam Auwalu Umar employed me as a photojournalist, to take photo news for the Kano Chronicle and Daily Trust titles.

After joining Daily Trust, the demands of my job forced me to quit Film Magazine in 2009.

In 2010, the then Daily Trust Photo Editor, Afolabi Sotunde introduced me to Reuters while Salamba (a colleague in Lagos) linked me to Associated Press (AP) and Malam Abdurrahman to DW—for which I still contribute as a photojournalist. 

Presently, I still work with the Daily Trust as a freelance photojournalist alongside my friend Ibrahim Giginyu, who is a reporter and is doing very well.

Instagram world

I first opened my Instagram account in 2016 to showcase my work and projects in photography with a special focus on Documentary and Photojournalism. Currently, I have also acquired skills as an events photographer from 2018 to 2019. 

Ambition

My most cherished ambition is to establish a photography academy with the largest photo studio in Northern Nigeria.

Awards and workshop/seminars

– Second prize Winner of the photo contest award, China – Nigeria friendly in pictures contest, Organised by the embassy of the people’s republic of China and federal republic of Nigeria. To mark the 70th anniversary of founding of republic of China, 2019.

– Certificate of participation, The Now Collective photography conference in lagos, 2019.

– Won several award as best photographer of the month in Daily Trust newspapers company and received certificate and cash.

–  Best Arewa Photojournalist by Sautin Arewa entertainment, 2018.

–  Certificate of attendance on 3 days project course basic level on alternative to violence course with the assistance of Nigerian Red cross supported by International committee of Red cross (ICRC). 2002.

–  Practical First Aid Certificate, organized by Nigerian Red Cross Society. 2002

–  Certificate of participation on Youth Leadership Training on First Aid, disaster management and response, anti drug abuse, community development, drill exercise, HIV/AIDS, road safety, citizenship and leadership training. Organized by Nigerian Red Cross Society Kano, 2006.

–   Best photographer by Arewa in Ghana group, 2018.

–   Best supporting photographer by Gamji Pearls Kaduna, 2017.

–  Best brand photographer of the year by Kaduna fashion and award, 2017.

–   Best Enterpreneur for outstanding achievement in photography industry by KDC Award 2016.

–   Award of Merit on contributions toward empowering Youths by Northern Trendz awards 2019.

–  Merit award by Iyan Tama Multimedia Nig. LTD. Kano for tremendous contribution and support to the growth and development of Hausa movie industry. 2010.

–  Certificate of merit award by Youth observers forum on democracy and the press. 2009. As Photojournalist with Daily Trust newspapers.

–  Award excellence by Yahoo Group (finafinan_hausa@yahoogroup.com). Toward the contribution on film industry for over 10 years of FIM Magazine famous hausa mujallar, 2007.

–  Certificate of merit by Arewa Guild of Film and theater artistes, toward uplifting the entertainment industry as FIM Magazine reporter, 2005.

–  Certificate of participation by Hausa writers Association of Nigeria on Writers and the internet, 2004.

– Letter of appreciation by MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES (Doctors without borders), on helpful active and motivated for the duration of MSF Holland cholera program in Kano, 2000. As one of Nigeria Red Cross Member Kano Branch.

 –  Inspirational and Creativity Award by Rescue the women Foundation (REWOFO) on 11th of January 2020.