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‘We begged women to urinate for us to drink to stay alive’
- Illegal emigrant narrates deadly experience in desert while trying to move to Europe
- Sight of Mediterranean sea forced me to cancel trip to Italy
Twenty two years after walking through the valley of the shadow of death, in search of greener pastures, Stephen Onyekamma has remained terrified. Unlike those who by faith would confess they fear no evil when confronted with such pangs of death, reliving of his experience still sends shivers down the spines of Onyekamma.
As he narrated his experience in the sahara desert to Saturday Vanguard, Onyekamma would intermittently pause out of traumatic effect and in thanksgiving to God for sparing his life. Initially, he was reluctant about recounting the experience, as he insisted it was one he wouldn’t want to remember. But upon insistence by our correspondent, Onyekamma buckled.
Journey to Libya
Six years after graduating from the Imo State University (IMSU), and after failed attempts to secure a job, Onyekamma decided to get out of Nigeria. That was in 1999. The graduate of Political Science had Italy as his destination country. Rather than following the right process of seeking visa into the European destination, he opted to go through the desert.
From Owerri, Onyekamma moved to Kebbi State and from Kebbi to Niger Republic. According to him, Niger Republic was a converging ground for those seeking to smuggle themselves into Europe through the desert. Unfortunately for the young graduate, he arrived Niger Republic in 1999 at a time he said the country was thrown into turmoil due to a coup d’ etat in which the country’s president was killed. Though he said he was aware of the coup, that however, could not deter him as he was desperate to hit the deadly desert. Waiting for the political unrest in Niger to subside could be a dream killer for him. Onyekamma therefore, resolved to weather the storm.
“After my graduation, I searched for job but couldn’t get. After six years, I decided to travel to Europe through the desert. My plan was to get to Libya, work a little and then move through the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.
“Before I left in 1999, I knew there was a coup in Niger, but I couldn’t wait, since I had already made up my mind to travel”.
Robbed in Niger
Onyekamma had undergone tutelage on how one could safeguard his money while in the desert. According to him, there were three available options – hiding the money in the collar of one’s dress while making the dress, or opening the heel of a shoe to conceal it. The third option was to tie the money in a nylon and swallow it, with the hope of excreting it during the call of nature. All of these options however, could not save Onyekamma. While in Niger Republic trying to board a Libya bound vehicle, he ran into rebels who he said had seized control of part of the country. They stripped him of his belongings, forcing him to return to the capital city of Niger. The rebels had mastered the modus operandi of the emigrants.
“The first setback I had was being robbed by rebels in Niger. I hid my money in the collar of my shirt, but the fear of being killed would even make one to surrender the money willingly. Having lost all I had, I returned to the capital city to restrategize. I was in Niger for about two years to raise some money before I took off again”.
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Experience in the desert
Those who navigate through the desert do their best to get well equipped for the deadly journey. While water and snacks are desideratum, the transporters also go with mechanics, should the vehicle break down in the desert. However, there are very dreadful situations in which a vehicle that developed fault in the desert would require changing some parts.
This could be the most traumatizing fate that could befall anyone travelling through the desert. When such happens, Onyekamma said the driver and his crew would abandon the emigrants in the desert and make their way back to Niger with a promise of returning with the vehicle parts. In some cases, Onyekamma submitted that the emigrants were abandoned for weeks. In such cruel situation, the travellers are left stranded and at the mercy of death, as they run out of water and snacks. Dehydration would set in, and they would be ready to drink anything liquid, including urine, in a battle for survival. But would the urine even be available? Onyekamma said it was at the desert he realized men slide into dehydration faster than women.
“When you run out of water in the desert, you would be desperate to drink anything liquid. It was at the desert I observed that a woman’s body had more water than that of a man. Men fell into dehydration faster than women. We begged women to try to urinate for us to drink to gain some strength. Whoever is able to urinate then, becomes a saviour.
“Out of every 50 persons going through the desert, only about 20 could survive”, he narrated.
Life in Libya
After about two weeks in the desert, Onyekamma finally arrived Libya. At the North African country, he went for training on vehicle alignment, and was able to master it within a short time. With the job, he could raise money to feed. But he was overcome by the sight of the terrifying Mediterranean Sea. He therefore, decided to go through the desert again to return to Nigeria, rather than heading to Italy.
“When I saw the boat they use in conveying people to Europe and the rampaging Mediterranean Sea, I became terrified and decided to return to Nigeria. I felt it was more dangerous stepping on the sea, than returning to the desert. That was how I returned to Nigeria in 2005”.
Return to Nigeria
Today, Onyekamma, a father of five, having survived in the desert, believes nothing can kill him except God says it’s time. Unfortunately, he is yet to conquer money for which he soldiered through the desert. He is still struggling with the vicissitudes of life. While hoping that some day, life would get better, he holds that desert should never be an option for anyone who values life.
Vanguard News Nigeria
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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi
Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi
The Lagos State Government has removed traders operating on the rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi, following a viral video that raised concerns about public safety.
The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Monday.
The clearance was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Army from the nearby Ikeja Cantonment.
Wahab’s statement read: “Following the viral video on social media, we’ve removed traders from the rail tracks at Bolade, opposite Arena Shopping Complex, in collaboration with Nigerian Army personnel from Ikeja Cantonment.”
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The viral video, originally shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as @dipoaina1 on December 28, depicted scenes of buying and selling taking place perilously close to the railway tracks.
The footage showed an NRC train on the Lagos-Ibadan rail track passing by as people continued their activities undeterred. The post highlighted the dangers posed by the lack of barriers, with @dipoaina1 suggesting the railway route be fenced with barbed wire to prevent such risky behavior.
The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order around critical infrastructure. This move also aligns with broader efforts to address safety challenges associated with urban rail transportation in Lagos. However, the incident highlights the need for sustained proactive measures rather than reactive actions to prevent future occurrences.
Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi
metro
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
In less than 12 hours, countries around the world will be celebrating a New Year – 2025.
However, there are some countries that will not join in the celebration as their calendars differ from the rest of the worlds’.
Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan are four countries that won’t be celebrating New Year’s Day 2025.
Ethiopia is a land of ancient traditions and unique cultural identities, including its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar, based on the Coptic calendar, comprises 13 months—12 of which have 30 days, while the 13th month, Pagumē, has five or six days depending on the leap year.
The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, Ethiopia is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, meaning that as the rest of the world enters 2025, Ethiopia will still be in 2017.
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Nepal embraces two traditional calendar systems—Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat—making it one of the most unique timekeeping cultures globally. Vikram Samvat, a lunisolar calendar, is the official calendar of Nepal and is approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
Additionally, the Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar, is used by the Newar community and runs on its own timeline, adding another layer of distinction to the nation’s calendar traditions. The official New Year celebration in Nepal, called Bisket Jatra, typically falls in April. Hence, January 1 is not a significant date in Nepal.
Iran follows the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the most accurate solar calendars in the world. This system begins with the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring. The Iranian New Year, known as Nowruz, falls around March 21 and is celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals that date back over 3,000 years.
For Iranians, January 1 is an ordinary winter day, with their focus firmly set on the arrival of spring and the renewal it symbolises.
Afghanistan also uses the Solar Hijri calendar, aligning its timekeeping closely with Iran. Similarly, Nowruz marks the New Year in Afghanistan, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and cultural events.
Afghanistan’s rich history and adherence to its traditional calendar reflect its cultural pride and resistance to adopting the Gregorian system, making it one of the few nations where January 1 holds no special significance.
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
metro
Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO
Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO
Social media was set abuzz on the cusp of the new year when Isaac Fayose, the entrepreneur and younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, claimed he had donated a staggering N50 million to the NGO of popular activist VeryDarkMan.
In a post that blended philanthropy with a touch of mischief, Fayose teased followers with the declaration, describing it as both a “prank” and a “blessing.”
However, the announcement didn’t land smoothly with everyone. While some praised Fayose’s generosity, others demanded proof of the hefty donation.
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“Show us the evidence,” a skeptical follower urged, echoing the sentiment of many. “Without proper investigation, it’s wrong to just believe such claims.”
The skepticism grew as other comments poured in. “Send a receipt, even if it’s fake, before we Ekiti people fall for this prank,” one user joked, while another humorously quipped, “Statement of account or no deal!”
Some followers, however, leaned into the fun side of the announcement. A playful comment from one admirer read, “I’m proud of you, baby. I’ll donate my kidney to you!” Meanwhile, others took a more serious tone, questioning why Fayose didn’t spearhead his own initiative instead of supporting another.
Fayose’s post, now a viral topic, continues to draw both laughter and criticism. While the jury is still out on the truth of the donation, one thing remains certain—Isaac Fayose knows how to get people talking.
Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO
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