I arrived in Lagos on Sunday, 13^th June ahead of the first African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF), which is being convened by AWDF in conjunction with Lufodo Productions. On previous trips to Lagos I have only spent a few hours before continuing to my final destination so quite pleased that this time I will get to spend a few days in Lagos and experience the city that I have heard described as ‘New York on crack’.

Day 1: It’s a rainy Sunday in Lagos and the roads are quiet. I’m assured by the driver who picked me up from the airport that the journey from the airport to the hotel which took approximately 30 minutes (excluding stops to change money and buy airtime) would on a weekday take about 3 hours. He points out some landmarks to me including Lagos University and a market that the Lagos State Governor has cleaned up (the name starts with O, I cannot remember how its pronounced or spelt). According to the driver the State Governor has done a good job, the market is decongested and many of the traders who used to hawk on the streets have moved back to their villages because they can no longer trade on the streets. I can’t help but wonder how these traders who have been forced to move back home feel.

In the late afternoon I join Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, AWDF’s Executive Director and Professor Abena Busia, a member of the AWDF USA board who is also a resource person for the upcoming AWIFF at the launch of Tunde Kelani’s film ‘Aruba’. Tunde Kelani is a well-respected Nigerian filmmaker who has displayed sensitivity and awareness on the importance of using film as a tool for women’s empowerment. Two of his previous films, ‘The White Handkerchief’ and ‘The Narrow Path’ have been supported by AWDF as part of its Popular Culture Project. AWDF’s Executive Director, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi was the special guest invited to launch ‘Aruba’.

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

Programme Officer

Fundraising & Communications