Slave trade of African migrants including Nigerians is currently ongoing in Libya. This, exposed by CNN in a video has brought the people to their consciousness, especially those who did not know that such barbaric practice is still in existence.
It took a Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha, who in a video decried the plight of the sufferings of Africans being sold into slavery in Libya and others who die in the mediterranean sea all in a bid for greener pasture. Georgina called out celebrities to use their popularity, lend their voices to stop the evil practice. She said that when other countries are facing issues of flood, violence e.t.c, we are usually the first to speak up and support them, so how come we are silent at a time like this in our own country. This move however made an impact as American superstar Chris Brown and other public figures including Omoni Oboli, Mercy Aigbe, Uriel Oputa, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Dbanj, amongst others have at different times on social media voiced their dissatisfaction with the issue.
Today 1st December 2017, Nigerians staged a protest led by Tope Fagunwa at the United Nations High Commission Office on Awolowo road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Lots of supporters joined the movement chanting ”We are Africans, Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our rights as well as Say no to Libya Slavery and Black lives Matter” and also holding placards with various inscriptions about poor governance and slavery.
Issues like minimum wage, high inflation, hunger, the president seeking healthcare abroad, unemployment, bad governance and corruption were listed as some prevalent issues making youths endanger their lives on the Mediterranean, just to get a better future, not knowing if they will arrive Europe or not.
Although majority of artistes who promised to participate in the protest did not show up, Celebrities like comedian Seyi Law, Nigerian-German musician, producer and social activist Adegoke Odukoya, better known as Adé Bantu, and other Nigerians were present at the peaceful protest, walking to and from the AU office chanting with placards and back to UN office where they spoke alongside some organisations supporting the movement, addressing the causes and suggesting possible solution to the problem.
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