events

Japa: IOM Mediterranean Shipwreck Claims 44 Lives

Published

10 months ago

November 13, 2025

IOM Mediterranean shipwreck leaves 44 dead and two Nigerians rescued as tragedy off Libya highlights growing migrant crisis in 2025

IOM Mediterranean shipwreck tragedy has claimed at least 44 lives, including two Nigerians, after a vessel carrying 49 migrants and refugees capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed on Thursday.

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According to the IOM, only seven people survived the disaster, which occurred on 3 November, when a rubber boat that departed from Zuwara in northwest Libya at around 3 a.m. capsized roughly six hours later due to high waves and an engine failure.

The IOM said, “All passengers — 47 men and two women — were thrown overboard. The boat drifted for six days before Libyan authorities rescued seven men — four from Sudan, two from Nigeria, and one from Cameroon — on November 8.”

Tragically, 42 people remain missing and presumed dead, including 29 Sudanese, eight Somalians, three Cameroonians, and two Nigerians. Two other Nigerians reportedly lost their lives in the incident.

The IOM stated that its team “provided the survivors with emergency medical care, water, and food upon arrival at the disembarkation point,” working in coordination with Libyan authorities.

This marks the latest fatal incident along the Central Mediterranean route, widely considered the world’s deadliest migration corridor.

The organisation’s Missing Migrants Project reports that more than 1,000 lives have already been lost in 2025** along this route alone.

“With this latest shipwreck, the total has risen even further, reinforcing the urgent need for strengthened regional cooperation,” the IOM said, reiterating its call for expanded safe and regular migration pathways and improved search-and-rescue operations to prevent further loss of life.

Since 2014, more than 25,600 people have died or gone missing while attempting the perilous sea crossing between North Africa and Italy.

Experts attribute the high death toll to overcrowded, unseaworthy boats, limited rescue capacity, and restrictions on humanitarian operations at sea.

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The IOM emphasised that “humane and orderly migration benefits both people on the move and society as a whole,” urging governments and partners to prioritise protection and coordinated humanitarian responses.

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Opinion

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”