Rescued Nigerian Mediterranean Migrant Whose Baby Was Born At Sea Says Baby Has A Better Future In Europe
The 24-year-old Nigerian mum who gave birth to a baby girl on a warship after the Italian navy rescued her from a migrant boat (read here) has explained why she risked the dangerous voyage, adding that Nigeria is the worst place to be and her daughter would have a better life in Europe.
Reuters reports;
Francesca Marina, named after St. Francis and the Italian navy, was 3.37 kilos (7 pounds, 7 ounces) when she was delivered aboard the Bettica naval vessel in the Mediterranean. Once ashore, she suffered from seizures and was put in intensive care.
A week on, both Stephanie Samuel, the 24-year-old Nigerian mother, and Francesca Marina have recovered. Doctors at the Sicilian hospital said they would probably be transferred to an immigration centre for families with small children in a few days time.
The story of the migrant baby born aboard a navy ship captured international media attention at the end of one of the busiest weekends for sea crossings from Libya to Europe this year, in which about 6,800 were rescued and dozens are said to have drowned.
Samuel worked for two years in Tripoli as a housemaid to save money to pay smugglers for the trip, but then the boat she set off in with about 90 others stalled after only three hours at sea.
By the time they were picked up by the Bettica off the Libyan coast seven hours later, she was unconscious after suffering epileptic seizures and had gone into labour.
“I didn’t expect the baby, you know, but she just like, she just came,” Samuel said. “I just wanted to leave Libya. Italy is better than Libya and Nigeria is the worst.”
About her daughter, she said: “God decides, not me … but I believe she will have a more good future in Europe.”
She said her husband, who is still working in Libya, was ready to risk the sea crossing to be with his daughter and wife as soon as he could afford to pay smugglers who demand up to $1,500 for passage on an overcrowded, rickety boat.
Message.. Hnmmm gud for her then
Yeah she is gona have a good life…. but that risk was just too much.
Hmmm….truly God will decide the fate of that child
Too much risk but I am glad she and the baby made it. We know the baby will make a better life over there.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
The risk was too much but am glad she and the baby made it.
Congrats and thank God for mum and daughter
She took a big risk o
Hmmmm some people sha. Abeg I don’t buy this excuse at all
You have mouth to choose which country is better because you survived, the quest of living abroad would have cost you, your life and that of your baby. I guess you didn’t remember the negativity of such trip before embarking on it.
She definitely took a big risk but I am glad her mission was accomplished with God’s mercy
Very riski ish. But I’m happy for the child
My concern is that baby & mother are safe and sound
Nigeria has to improve .What would make a mother risk her baby’s life like this? Hmmm
What a risk
tank God for dem ooo
She is saying these things bcos she n her baby are alive n healthy.Instead of thanking God 4 sparing her life she is seeing d bad side of her country
Ok Nigeria is the worst abi? You think the roads are paved with gold in Italy abi ok watch abd see