Fans Congress’ red cards highlight dangers in Mediterranean trips

Slavery

Nigerian Football Fans’ Congress at the weekend started its campaign against illegal migration from the country with all participants brandishing red cards as a sign of protest against it.

The campaign, which is coming on the heels of the recent revelations about modern slavery in Libya, attracted top officials of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), including President-General, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, National Chairman, Rev. Sam Ikpea and the Secretary -General, Adekunle Adeniyi, amongst others.

With the theme: ‘Red card to deaths on the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert,’ the campaign, which flagged off from the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club at Ayinde Giwa Street, Surulere, saw the members walk through the streets of Surulere, beating drums, blowing trumpets and distributing fliers to passers by.

They made a stopover at the National Stadium, Lagos, where they paid courtesy visits to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Liaison officer of the Sports Ministry, Lagos, Dr. Segun Akinlotan.

They proceeded to Ojuelegba, where they made a turn at the bridge before returning to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, where they were received by the Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Sports, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka.

Speaking with the media, Dr. Ladipo and the National Chairman, Rev. Ikpea explained that they embarked on the campaign to create awareness on the dangers of football fans and indeed Nigerian youths travelling through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.

“We feel concerned about the rate Nigerian youths are dying in their hundreds while trying to cross Europe through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.