‘My Lagos Diaries’ A rehabilitation documentary series by freedom foundation hit the screen

Committed to addressing the ever-mounting and staggering challenges in our society by empowering individuals who are plagued by various categories of social and economic challenges such as drug addiction, prostitution, and armed robbery, Freedom Foundation, a faith based non-profit organisation of the House of Freedom, will today, January 21, publicly premiere a documentary series, ‘My Lagos Diaries’, at the FilmHouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos.

Speaking at a media premiere held at the cinema facility in Lekki, Lagos, the Senior Pastor, This Present House and Chairman Freedom Foundation, Dr. Tony Rapu said the documentary series is a first-hand experience of challenges people face trying to survive in the city of Lagos.

He explained that since inception, Freedom Foundation, has transformed and positively impacted several lives in impoverished communities including but not limited to Ejigbo, Ijora, Iwaya, Bariga and Somolu, and led to the creation of this video journal, which documents 10 years of the team’s experiences in these areas.

“From 2006, the team from our ‘God Bless Nigeria’ program and I set out to various communities across Lagos to get a first-hand experience of challenges people face just trying to survive in the city. We went into the poorest of communities in Ejigbo, Ijora, Iwaya, Bariga, Somolu and many others. At each location, we were faced with various situations and challenges that tugged at the heart – real people with real experiences. Some of these experiences were documented on video,” he said.

He adds, “After years of sorting and archiving the footage, we decided to launch a diary-like documentary of a few stories we encountered. My Lagos Diaries’ ultimate goal is to sensitise the general public about the struggles of these underprivileged persons, while providing an opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to support Freedom Foundation’s vision via donations and funding.”

Dr. Rapu further explained that the premiere would launch the 13-week documentary series, which will begin airing online on the Foundation’s YouTube channel as well as on television from the end of February, telling some of the real stories of rehabilitated prostitutes, armed robbers, drug addicts, beggars and other neglected individuals in the society.

“We actively partner with the government, other NGOs, civil society organisations, corporate institutions and individuals to make this mission a reality. At Freedom Foundation, we believe that everyone has the right to live freely, free from addictions, free from sex slavery, free from ignorance and free from poverty,” Dr. Rapu stated.

According to him, the premiere will also feature a private viewing of ‘Reflections’, a unique photo exhibition by Kelechi Amadi-Obi, where he used notable celebrities as models to depict thought provoking poverty scenarios. He added that the exhibition is designed to build further awareness and trigger social change and soul searching amongst Nigerians.

Speaking on the project, the cerebral photographer said, “It was great depicting a visual representation of societal ills using celebrities as models. The process of transforming these celebrities from superstars into drug addicts, beggars and underprivileged individuals was quite a revealing journey.

“The photos tell a story of what these celebrities could have been versus who they are now.  It would take the collective efforts of individuals, government, religious groups and corporate bodies to help transform lives of impoverished people in our society. It is imperative that we use photography to create awareness and help imagine the pain and heart’s cry of the disadvantaged in our communities,” he added.