Dear All,

 

Let me first apologize for sending the final report from Ireland late. 

I had to travel out of my base shortly after the protest. I would like to congratulate all and sundry for a job well done.  Like someone rightly said, it is not how far but how well.

 

The Irish team assembled at the front of the Spanish Embassy at 10am.  We then proceeded to put Osamuyi's photo and an explanation of what happened to him on the embassy's gate.  A number of people who were passing by or going into the embassy for one reason or the other stopped by to look at the photos and read the story.  

 

Other protesters joined us.  Media coverage from the Irish press was also poor but we had Metro Eireann who sent a photogapher to cover the event.  We also had a freelance photographer who supplies mainstream Irish media with photos for their stories.  

 

At 12pm, we decided to go in and present the letter.  The Embassy staff that I spoke to previously to arrange our protest visit was then called.  Obviously, she left instructions that we would visit them.  She came out and said the Embassy would only allow two people into the office to meet with a diplomatic official, the group protested wanted the video man who covered the event to come in with us and record the proceedings but they declined so Reginald and I went into the office and were ushered into the office of the First Secretary of the Embassy.  We then presented two copies of the protest letter with all the signatures for him to endorse.  He signed and we received our own copy which is attached with this write-up.  I suggested that we get a photograph of us presenting the letter to the First Secretary, to which he obliged.  The photo is attached with this report.  

The First Secretary expressed his deep felt sympathy and asked us to convey same to the Nigerian community in Ireland.  He said according to reports from Spain, Osamuyi died of asphyxiation (hope that spelling is right), as if we didn't know. He said he had been to Nigeria twice in the 90s and visited Fela's shrine.  He said no human should die the way Osamuyi died and promised to send the letter to the Spanish authorities. 

 

When we finished with the embassy staff, we distributed flyers to passersby and put other leaflets through the post boxes of the embassy's neighbours - it was a residential area.

 

Let me use this opportunity to thank my fellow co-ordinators in Ireland; Kingsley and Simon.  I also want to thank, Reginald, Peter (the video man), Disu (for printing posters, sticking same on gate and for distributing), Kaycee (Kelechi) Theo, PeterClever, Angel, Chair; Benin Union, and all those whose names have not been mentioned.  I appreciate you.  God bless!

 

Thanks