Recently, 26 Nigerian female migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. They drowned. They were buried yesterday. 26 coffins were laid out in Salerno's Monumental Cemetery on Friday morning, watched by a military guard, local politicians, rescue workers and journalists. Only two were marked with names: Marian Shaka and Osato Osaro.
All of the girls are believed to have been Nigerian nationals between 14 and 30 years old. Only 5 have been identified so far. Two of them were pregnant, including Osaro with twins. Her coffin bore a pink and a blue rose in their memory.
About a 100 more traveling with these women are believed to still be missing.
About a 100 more traveling with these women are believed to still be missing.
When these women were being buried yesterday, a Catholic archbishop and a Muslim imam both said prayers.
The Mayor of Salerno declared Friday a day of mourning. Local schools have been asked to hold a minute of silence, while light displays in the city center will be switched off on Friday evening in remembrance.
But there was no single person from the Nigerian embassy. No single representative from the country that put them in the situation. That is how much we value the lives of our citizen. We treat ourselves shabbily both in life and death, yet we want great patriots.
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