By Basheer Luqman Olarewaju anipr
The first time I heard this statement “a warrior’s strength is known by his footprints,” I added that in modern politics, “a leader’s greatness can be measured through the lens”—and Adeyefa Peter, the official photographer of Honourable Muktar Tolani Shagaya, holds his camera like a creative etching history. From the dusty trails of Ogbondoroko and Laduba, or, even Elebue and Orimaro to the echoing streets of Baboko, Oloje and Adewole, Adeyefa Peter didn’t just take photos; he championed the very soul of a local movement during the 2023 general elections campaigns. His frames were more than compositions—they were compelling compasses, pointing to Heritage, Development, Progress, and the unspoken dreams of Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency.
Like a poet with a camera, Adeyefa Peter morphed ordinary events into compelling, attractive and captivating visual proverbs. Whether capturing a widow’s joyful tears at Reke or the sparkling resolve in a youth leader’s eyes at Agbona, his photos echoed what speeches couldn’t. Our elders are right when they said ‘the eagle remembers the tree that birthed its flight’ because Adeyefa Peter’s lens maintained that Shagaya’s connection to his roots was never forgotten. His attention to detail? Magnetic. His timing? Brilliant. A single shot of a child clutching a campaign pamphlet in Fata didn’t just document—it envisioned a legacy.
From Sosoki’s sun-scorched Countrysides to Laduba’s vibrant ambience, Adeyefa Peter’s camera became a nexus between the people and their representative. His work was no mere gallery; it was a “visual census” of trust. In Otte and Ballah, where words might fade, his photos glamoured moments—like the Honourable kneeling to greet elders, or sweat glistening on his brow during a town hall. These weren’t staged portraits; they were stolen images of authenticity, stitched together by a photographer who understood deeply that a leader’s shadow must touch the ground before it towers.
In Ilorin West—through Alore’s vibrant alleys, Warah’s spirited rallies, and Ojuekun/Zarumi’s historic walk—Adeyefa Peter’s photos became silent campaigners. His genius? Making stillness speak. A shot of Muktar Tolani Shagaya listening intently to an artisan in Baboko wasn’t just a photo; it was a manifesto without words. Like our mantra that “the ear that listens is the ruler that lasts,” Adeyefa Peter’s lens ensured the world saw not just a politician, but a listener.
Now, in the National Assembly, Adeyefa Peter’s ingenuity has moved from capturing crowds to curating statesmanship. His compositions regale the Honourable as a man of “steeze and composure”—whether in a poised debate stance or a quiet moment of reflection. The same eye that found magic in Afon’s moonlit rallies now spotlights the gravitas of legislative duty. It’s no accident; it’s alchemy.
I once said, “Adeyefa Peter’s gift isn’t just technical—it’s philosophical. He knows that a tree doesn’t grow tall without remembering its roots, and his photos tether high governance to humble service. A close-up of the Honourable’s calloused hand sponsoring bills echoes the same handshake shared with a farmer in Oloje”. Consistency is his signature.
Off-camera, Adeyefa Peter is the unsung hero—calm, grounded, and relentlessly supportive. While others chase flash, he guards the substance. Like the baobab that shelters without boasting, he elevates the team silently. His loyalty isn’t loud; it’s developed in the darkroom of diligence. A team with his ilk is a lucky one.
History books will record laws passed, but Adeyefa Peter’s photos will immortalize the humanity behind them. In decades to come, when scholars ask, “Who was Muktar Tolani Shagaya?” — one of the channels they’ll find answers is in Adeyefa Peter’s archive: a leader who “walked with the people before speaking for them.”
Adeyefa Peter’s work speaks to us all: Leadership isn’t just about being seen (abstract) —it’s about being felt (concrete). And through his lens, we don’t just witness history; we experience it. For in the end, the eye that captures light today, ignites tomorrow’s memory.
Basheer is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Muktar Tolani Shagaya.
