- Author chronicles nasty oddysey
A Nigerian author based in Europe has chronicled what could be described as some of the creepiest accounts of his experience and that of many Nigerians and young Africans who have traversed the perilous desert and the Mediterranean Sea routes in their quest to migrate to Europe for greener pastures.
The book which he dedicated to those who lost their lives in the desert and the Mediterranean Sea in an expedition for safety and a better life, away from the hopelessness that they feel back at home is aimed at bringing to the fore, the maladministration and seeming absence of governance that have put most Africans, especially the young ones on the edge.
It is a collection of vivid accounts of real-life sequence of thought-provoking, debilitating, and tragic events of some of the encounters and stories of those who have been on the route, regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous pathways to Europe.
The writer, Lambert Edosomwan, in a chat from his base in Europe said the inspiration behind the book, titled, “The Matrix of Abe” emanated from his jaw-dropping real-life experience with the horrors of illegal migration from Africa to Europe, with the intention to forewarn and guide African youths who would want to migrate to Europe.
According to him, the book tells the story of a young boy, Abe, from Nigeria, who dreams of transforming his life by travelling to Europe at all costs.
Although, Abe got his wish, eventually reaches Europe, the realities of his sojourn in Europe are far from what he dreamt about.
According to the writer, most of the narratives in the book were real life experiences collected through person-to-person interrogations, interactions, and discussions.
“It exposes the unbearable heat of crossing the Sahara Desert, the horrors of navigating the camps in Libya, and even the imminent danger faced when crossing the Mediterranean Sea,” the writer noted.
Although the names and characters in the book have been masked to encourage them to share the bitter and terrible experiences that they encountered, Edosomwan said his earnest desire and hope are that political leaders, governments, policymakers and Non-Governmental organizations across the globe, especially in Africa, including all actors involved, become aware of the dangerous realities to make proper decisions that will change the course of events in the near future.
“This book accurately depicts the journey from Africa to Europe and life there,” Edosomwan said, adding that it also clearly outlines the challenges faced by immigrants when they eventually arrive in Europe.
“Despite facing many life-threatening and near-death experiences, most immigrants find it difficult to return to Africa,” Edosomwan said. He likened the situation to a child preferring to sleep in the neighbor’s apartment instead of sleeping in the same room with the mother.
A pip into the book reveals the indescribable and inhuman situations that those who embark on the road to Europe through desert and the sea, as well as their families face, with many not being alive to tell their stories.
“In some instances, migrants at sea face circumstances that outweigh the abilities of rescue mission volunteers. But many see the problem of starvation, economic uncertainty, insecurity, lawlessness, and survival of the fittest that prevails in Africa as a real war compared to the uncertainties that lie in the path of illegal migration to Europe,” the author stated in the book.
On some of the reasons behind the forced migration through dangerous routes as the deserts and Mediterranean Sea, Edosomwan said: “African youths believe in doing everything to change their family’s financial status rather than become the victims of the economic hardship prevalent in their native land. So, migrating to Europe through this treacherous path has become a survival strategy for these unfortunate ones.”
He, however, noted in a section of the book that the frequent reports of the perils and accounts of deaths among young Africans who dared to brace the dark pathway reveals major cracks in the forms and structure of their countries of origin.
Edosomwan, however, said the book does not intend to present gory stories of the horrors of illegal migration across this route but to present facts that will help individuals, governments, and organizations assist illicit migrants who have lost their way.
He lamented African governments’ inactions that have allowed the tragic route to Europe to continue to thrive.
“With increasing levels of poverty, hunger, and unemployment, many Africans are only faced with the prospects of illegal migration to Europe or “die trying.”
“Poor government policies and insincere commitment to fix these societal issues on the path of successive governments have fueled the desires of many youths to leave Nigeria. The implication is that migrating to Europe using this treacherous and illegal path has become a survival strategy for poor African youths and families,” the writer stated.
