Lagos: Solomon Dappa, a documentary photographer from Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State has been declared the overall winner of the Wikimedia National Photography Awards.

Dappa’s photo entries were chosen best ahead of over five thousand (5,000) entries submitted by participants contesting in two separate categories, in quest to win the fancy and satisfy the rigorous standards of the competition hosted by Wikimedia Nigeria User-Group.

First, he won the Wiki Loves Folklore Awards, clinching the overall best prize in that category. In the Wiki Loves Folklore category, his photo was selected and judged as the overall winner after his entries got first, sixth, ninth, and tenth positions out of over one thousand (1,000) submissions from participating photographers across the country.

In another photography contest which is Wiki Loves Africa, Dappa’s photo entry also emerged as the number one spot. His entry became the best after defeating over three thousand (3,000) entries submitted by documentary photographers nationwide.

This initiative by Wikimedia is aimed at encouraging and promoting creativity in the art of image documentation as a way to contribute to the open source knowledge movements, preserve the African culture and tradition, and use the art of photography as a way to tell the African story from the local perspectives and to have resources for the open knowledge movement.

Winner of the award, Mr Dappa Solomon expressed joy upon receiving the award.

He said “These national awards and certificates stand as a testament to the fact that hard work truly pays off and that consistency should never be underestimated”

He said his awards are dedicated to God for giving him the strength to persevere and remain steadfast even in the face of challenges and appreciated the Wikimedia Foundation for providing an incredible platform for creative minds to be able to contribute to the open knowledge movement.