.......But, I thank God I came back alive. I will start all over again; I believe I will make it in Nigeria. No more going out of the country,” Naomi, 30, narrated her ordeal of the journey to Europe through Libya.
Naomi was participating in a reintegration training programme in Lagos sponsored by the European Union (EU) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria. She and other participants shared their experiences about reintegrating to life in Nigeria after being deported.
Most Nigerians who embark on irregular migration to Europe imagine that their lives will be greatly improved once they reach their destinations. Unfortunately, the reality for most is vastly different. Many lose their lives during the journey. Those who do make it to their destination usually face all manners of difficulties and wish to return home, but end up feeling stranded and trapped in a foreign land. Others are summarily deported.
Like Naomi, many deported migrants had thriving businesses in Nigeria before they embarked on the journey, but left behind a solid livelihood for the promise of a better life that never materialized and often ending up penniless or in severe debt.
Once back in Nigeria, deported migrants often face additional frustrations and find it difficult to fit into communities they had chosen to leave in search of something better.
Thirty two-year-old Ubo from Akwa Ibom State said life had become so unbearable since he returned to Nigeria that he had even contemplated suicide.
“I came back on May 11, 2017, and since then life has been very tough. I was at the verge of committing suicide. I wanted to end it once and for all because I didn’t know where to start again. I came back with nothing; I lost everything,” he said.
According to the IOM, over 8,000 Nigerians in Libya have voluntarily returned to home between January and May 2018 due to cases of inhuman treatments, human trafficking and slavery, rape and death.
Naomi was participating in a reintegration training programme in Lagos sponsored by the European Union (EU) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria. She and other participants shared their experiences about reintegrating to life in Nigeria after being deported.
Most Nigerians who embark on irregular migration to Europe imagine that their lives will be greatly improved once they reach their destinations. Unfortunately, the reality for most is vastly different. Many lose their lives during the journey. Those who do make it to their destination usually face all manners of difficulties and wish to return home, but end up feeling stranded and trapped in a foreign land. Others are summarily deported.
Like Naomi, many deported migrants had thriving businesses in Nigeria before they embarked on the journey, but left behind a solid livelihood for the promise of a better life that never materialized and often ending up penniless or in severe debt.
Once back in Nigeria, deported migrants often face additional frustrations and find it difficult to fit into communities they had chosen to leave in search of something better.
Thirty two-year-old Ubo from Akwa Ibom State said life had become so unbearable since he returned to Nigeria that he had even contemplated suicide.
“I came back on May 11, 2017, and since then life has been very tough. I was at the verge of committing suicide. I wanted to end it once and for all because I didn’t know where to start again. I came back with nothing; I lost everything,” he said.
According to the IOM, over 8,000 Nigerians in Libya have voluntarily returned to home between January and May 2018 due to cases of inhuman treatments, human trafficking and slavery, rape and death.
Such terrible heartbreaking pain
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of anything coming out of this Libya for Nigerians and some will still put head there.
ReplyDeleteThey went in search of greener pastures but returned with more problems.
Anonymous DYKM
Exactly... I am yet to hear of good tales from Libya. Maybe the good tales belong to the past.
DeleteWelcome back Naomi, no one knows what we went through there and to come back and face worse discrimination especially from family, everyday mockery and no one wants to help out, imagine my mother calling my Son a bastard, insisted I trade him for money and start afresh, am not glad I conceived via rape but giving away the boy can't heal the pain, I don't blame people considering suicide, it's what life put them through, have spent 6 months in Nigeria and it still fill like hell, no one loves me, my Son and I are lonely, but I know one day will come and I will be grateful I didn't give him away #stayawayfromlibya
ReplyDeleteSorry dear, it is well with you, why don't you start by looking for a menial job, then from there gather funds to start a little business, all the best
DeleteI hope you know things will be fine soon? Stay strong for your son! Ignore negativity.
DeleteHmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity.
ReplyDeleteLiya is not a place to go. Nigerians stay away from LIBYA ooooo!!!!! My eyes became pen after seeing that CNN report from Nima Elbagir.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRoad journey to Europe through Niger, Sahara Desert, Libya and the Mediterranean sea is deadly. For those who know the existence of all these evils and disasters yet still decide to go ahead with irregular migration, that is nothing but stupidity.
For those who don't know, ignorance is still not an excuse.
We all need to speak and discourage our loved ones from embarking on such deadly journey to Europe through the road. Libya is no man's/govt's land, anything and everything can happen there. Be wise!