That's that... (Liz)

The last several days of limbo have finally come to a close.

After initial warnings emerged around Nigeria, the Carter Center reported nothing out of the ordinary in Owerri. Carter Center and CDC are still sending personnel to the area. This is in contrast to information from Professor Dan Smith at Brown.

With these conflicting viewpoints, it's been difficult for me to make an educated choice. So I wrote the following in a letter to the director of my host organization in Nigeria:

"I'm really curious to know your take on everything. My primary interest is to be mainly an asset over a burden to you and your organization. Have these circumstances turned me into more of a liability than a help for CYDI?

In the event that I do not come to Nigeria, I have an alternative option available. Your comfort level with the situation will determine whether I come to Owerri or go to the other location."

This morning, I received a reply:

"First, I am really sorry that you have to be in such a difficult position right now. I realize that a lot of time, money and effort were put into making this trip possible. My colleagues and I are also devastated because this is the first time CYDI would be getting a student from Emory. It means a lot to us, and we have been looking forward to this trip.

Unfortunately, the situation in Owerri is not safe for you to come. This is my candid opinion.

You will recall that these kidnappings started, a few years ago, as a result of the protest in the Niger Delta area (River, Bayelsa and Delta), and the targets were expatriate staff of oil companies. We never had problem in Imo State. Infact, CYDI had students fro, Brown University in 2007 and 2008, which was at the peak of the crisis.

However, since the trouble spilled over to Imo State it has become an all-comers game.
These kidnappings have no political agenda, it just a way of making money. Their targets are random. They have kidnapped people across all ages (babies, children, teenagers, parents and grand parents), and across all sectors (civil servants, businessmen, teachers, lecturers, etc). Sadly, lives have been lost while people are being kidnapped or rescued. Infact things got worse when Imo State Government passed a bill making kidnapping an offence punishable by death.

While I agree that you will, definitely, be an asset to CYDI, I am worried that we shall be looking over our shoulders until you leave in August. I do not scare easily, but this kidnapping stuff is way above my head. I have lived all my life in Owerri, which has always been a peaceful town and I have my ear to the ground. The vibes are not good. People are hungry and angry. The new government has knocked down shops, relocated street businesses, and banned the use of motorcycle for transportation (in bid to make Owerri the cleanest city in Nigeria). Many people have lost their means of livelihood in the process. Most of the younger ones now resort to kidnapping, since it yields a higher return than armed robbery (this is based on the confession of a kidnaper that was caught a few weeks ago). Infact, last week, four students of Imo State University were arrested in Anambra State where they kidnapped a 4-year old boy. Yes, it is that bad.

Carter Center may not have experienced these problems, and I am not aware of the level of protection they offer to their expatriates. But, I am aware that other expatriates (construction workers, oil, hoteliers, etc) all move with Military or Police escorts. CYDI can not afford that level of protection, and even if we did, it will only draw attention to us that we have a valuable asset. Honestly, this is a catch 22 situation.

Right now I will not advise you to come. Dan Smith took the right decision. Infact my friends in the Mass Media and the Police Force tell me that these kidnappings are going on daily, and ransom is being paid quietly. However, only few, high profile, cases make it the press. I cannot afford to let anything happen to you."

This confirms that I will not be getting on a flight to Nigeria on Thursday.

I've been on the phone with different individuals all morning to explore the alternative option of Zimbabwe. Yesterday, with Nigeria still up in the air, I received a promising message from my Zim contact in the States:

"Sounds like a great opportunity to me if you are not able to go to Nigeria. I would think it would be the best of the two options anyway, since you have the relationship and entry points already there. If you try to go do something new in Nigeria in just a few months, you wouldn't get to know the culture/build relationships with the people as well as you already do in Zim. I think we could send a letter through the Fairfield email since they pick it up regularly and ask them to take it up to the VCT explaining what you want to do. Then they could reply on their own or through Linda

....

Let me know what you decide and what I can do to help you get back to Zim if that ends up being the avenue you take.

I am sure the kids and everyone at VCT would be so happy to see you (and we don't want you to be kidnapped)"

With this optimistic reply, I called Suzanne Mason at the Global Health Institute. She responded positively that GHI would probably support a change in project site. IRB seems equally flexible. I will have to take a few steps to confirm the switch. But overall, Emory appears to be on board.

Now for the bad news...

I got on the phone with Delta to cancel my itinerary. The Delta representative provided different information from the original person I talked to last week. Apparently I can change the dates on my ticket, but not the locations. I called back to confirm this with another representative.

With one useless ticket and visa to Lagos, I have about $1300 left from the original $3000 GHI grant. So I have a couple of options. Either I can start all over and book a flight from Atlanta to Harare. This will cost me upwards of $2300, meaning I would be out $1000. Or I can try to book through the Lagos airport. Flights from Lagos to Harare are still pretty steep at around $1200 - $1300. It would also mean a day or two of hellish travel through multiple ports. But, if I'm strategic enough, I might just be able to get all the way to Harare on GHI money.

So that's where we are now. Still better than being kidnapped. :)