Trip to Lagos, Nigeria

Now for the blog on my trip. Lagos clocks in as one the very largest cities in the world. Set on the sea, it is home to 16 million people and by 2025 it is predicted to be the largest city in the world. That said, it is the most crowded, pollution riddled, foulest smelling place that I have seen. If you have seen views of the worst parts of Bombay then you can visualize this spot. I saw not one blade of grass or sidewalk anywhere. This urban sprawl obviously is sans any plan. Even from the air you can see that all hovels are cobbled together with no spacing for miles and miles. Add to that the thousands of motorbikes that stream at you as you walk and you do not get a pretty picture. At night there are no streetlights so these bikes and minicars dodge around you endlessly.

My meetings were all positive and my hosts were gracious and much was accomplished. By the way, Lagos is home to the third largest film industry behind only the U.S. and India. Here they call it Nollywood.

After my meetings I was taken to an excellent Chinese Rest. run by a Vietnamese family. I took a pic of the outside all lit up and in the middle of the downtown. This food was maybe the best Chinese food I have had. Of course after all the fish that I have stared at while eating them might have expanded my taste buds for a different meal.

Also, there are chronic power shortages and an obviously poor infrastructure. The power went totally out at least 5 times last night and twice in the morning. Then, after a few minutes, it all starts up again. I am glad to be back in Accra.

Femi Falana of Falana and Falana-Barristers/Solici

Femi Falana of Falana and Falana-Barristers/Solici

This photo of Femi and me was taken at his law office after our meeting today in preparation for our work together later. He is the top civil rights attorney in W. Africa. He is also the President of the West African Bar Assn and an impressive attorney. Our meeting went well as we discussed the likelihood of bringing a class action on behalf of those journalists harmed in Gambia since Jan. 2005. Violations before that date precede the institution of the Court and cannot be part of such a suit.

Nigeria Union of Journalists-Lagos

The gentleman on the right is the Chairman of the union which covers all journalists in Ghana. His name is Wahaab Alabi Oba and he has asked that I also give a lecture on the evolving nature of the rights of the press in U.S. and West Africa. They say they would pay for my lodging for the one extra night required.

Media Rights Group-Lagos

Postcard From the Edge

I have my plane ticket and leave for Nigeria in the early morn for two days. My agenda there is full and I hope to get some of our litigation strategy set. I would like to initiate a class action over here on behalf of harmed journalists, but we shall see.

Am reading Stanley's book "How I found Livingstone," which he completed from his diaries of his daily journey across Eastern Africa in 1871 on behalf of the New York Herald. As you know, he found Livingstone after one hell of a trek across a very hostile environment. Many died during the journey and they all endured numerous privations and diseases, of which, Malaria was most notable. By the way, the local rag has a story about a potential vaccine for the disease that people here are trying out. If it works it will be the first successful one to date.

I will next do a blog when I return from Nigeria. See you all then...

Day 24

Finally, I acquired my visa with multiple entry to Nigeria. It took most of today and more conversations with the embassy but, in the end, it came through.

I leave for Nigeria on Fri morning and will not be back until Sat eve. In the meantime I will be without my laptop so you won't hear from me until Sun. sometime. The pics below are self-explanatory. In the roadshot near my office, the office is in the far righthand corner.

I am ready for my trip and starting an outline of my litigation strategy to move the agenda forward here. Had a good meeting with Kwame' and am anxious to meet the various partners in this venture in Nigeria. Will try to get a shot of all of us if possible get it posted on Sun.

Street merchants

Road to my Office

Day at the Embassy

I have spent the morning at the Nigerian Embassy seeking my multiple entry visa into that country. After some quizzing I was told to pay the fee of $200 and come back tomorrow and they will inform me of their decision on my applcn. In the meantime they are holding my passport which is standard.

If approved,I will fly to Lagos, Nigeria, on Fri at 9 a.m. and return on Sat late aftn. I will stay at the Hotel Continental in Lagos and will be away from contact throughout my stay there.

I will be returning to my office now. See you later...

Moving Forward

I am at the apartment today awaiting a ride to the Nigerian Embassy to put my visa application forward. All info has now been gathered and a letter by Kwame' is being written which will accompany my application. Hopefully, this will be done soon and I will be off to the Embassy

By the way, I mentioned that the Mormons were thrown out in 1979 by the new Premier. I should also explain that they have inched back into the country little by little so that once again they have a presence here. They now have a huge office/church near the airport, so they must be in favor with the govt again or at least tolerated. Not much else to report. Oh! Need I tell anyone that the Bosox won the decisive game against the Cl. Indians and the World Series starts Wed. Unfortunately, the games are at night so they will not start until 1:00 a.m. here, too late to catch live. Of course the internet gives me everything including newspapers etc. so I do see it all after the fact. Bonjours!

Slow Day

Slow day today...Attended Christ the King Church nearby. It is the second largest Catholic Church in Accra. The Mass took two hours with lots of singing, accompanied by bongo drums etc. A fun service even though lengthy. The Mass was in English and the Church was full with about 2000 people, four of us were white, and we chatted after the service. It seems that all whites here are service oriented and attached to non-profit corps. I find all people friendly and somewhat outgoing. The Church has open sides with fans and the temp was in the 80's or so it seemed.

This eve I went to Champs Bar at the Paloma Hotel and watched the Redskins v. Cardinals NFL game there, then left in the fourth qtr as I am getting ready for tomorrow. See you all later.