Last week WOCON had a youth rally for the mobilization to combat human trafficking and forced labour in Lagos State. Different youth groups came to attend the meeting. First we had the rally in Yaba in Lagos. We walked through the streets hand handed out posters and stickers to people. We had some musicians with us who played drums and the trumpet so that people could hear us and see us when we were coming. After the rally lectures on trafficking and forced labour were held for the different groups. The audience also had the opportunity to ask questions in the matter. The day ended with a visit of a man from Switzerland who works with the question of trafficking. According to me this was one of the best programs that I have attended in that WOCON arranged. Maybe this is my impression because the youth was very interested and participating.

Last week there was another plane crash in Nigeria. This time around 50 school children from a very well known private school died. On Friday we at WOCON were supposed to attend in a rally to protest against how this tragedy was handled. The rally was held by Concerned Mothers of Nigeria, and they had planned to dress in black and walk peacefully and quiet through the streets to finally hand over a letter to the governor.

We from WOCON were stuck in traffic so we ran late for the rally, but as we arrived we were informed that the women had been harassed by the police. They had been sprayed with teargas and 10 of them had been arrested. We attended the meeting that was held at the police station when the police tried to explain and excuse their behaviour, only to meet a group of angry women who said that they now have had enough of the corrupt Nigerian police.

I was interviewed by a Nigerian newspaper called The Sun. They wanted to hear my impression and experiences of the Nigerian police as a foreigner. What happened on Friday was very big news in Nigeria and they had extra news on TV the whole day that discussed this issue. I saw myself on TV and somehow I felt like I saw revolution with my own eyes! This is something I for sure will remember from Nigeria.

As I was suspecting we didn’t finish work on Thursday as planned. It is now Monday and I am still here. WOCON is planning for a program about human trafficking and forced labour that they are suppose to have right after New Year and they must finish their preparations before they go for Christmas holiday.