Unifying Africa

This collection of images from across Africa but mostly in Nigeria and Ghana, it is an attempt to celebrate Africa: the colour and spirit of the people of this wonderful continent. It is also an opportunity to look at Africa beyond the gloomy lenses of political instability and socio-economic underdevelopment, and reveal a deeper, more sensitive view of the continent.

The photographers expose the African ness in Football: the joy of togetherness, the intensity of healthy competition, the ecstasy of victory, as well as the agony of defeat, all immersed in raw love for nation. Captured in these images are the underlying tones of sovereignty, self-esteem and even religion that permeate the thinking of every Football fan on the continent.

The internationally acclaimed photographers in this collection have built up a long tradition of relevant work, which are both conceptual and reportage in nature.  Being Africans themselves, they have employed their local knowledge and innate understanding in approaching this project themed Unifying Africa; centered on football and its effects on the people and the continent.

Sociologists suggest that football has done more for the unity and connectivity of nations than political institutions. This book, therefore, salutes with colour, flavour and respect, the success of the sport of football as a more effective binding force of unity in Africa.

In summary I hope that these images evoke the emotions of love, happiness, unity, and friendliness, which are the continent’s stock in trade, as well as the attributes of the company with the widest telecommunications network coverage across Africa.

Contributors

Photographs by:

Abiodun Salu  (Nigeria)

Abraham Oghobase  (Nigeria)

Adophus Opara  (Nigeria)

Ananias Leki Dago (Ivory Coast)

Andrew Esiebo (Nigeria)

Chiemela Azurunwa (Nigeria)

Ebiware Okiy (Nigeria)

George Osodi (Nigeria)

Marcus Obika (Nigeria)

Michael Tsegaye (Ethiopia)

Uche Okpa Iroha (Nigeria)

Uche James Iroha (Nigeria)

Ibe Ananaba (Nigeria)

Duke Asidere (Nigeria)