In a recent interview, Pere Ageli, the President of the Nigerian Association in Morocco, discussed the earthquake that struck Morocco, resulting in a significant loss of life. Ageli, a Nigerian living in Morocco, shared his insights on the situation and how Nigerians are coping with the disaster.
Ageli described the earthquake, which occurred on a Saturday night at 11:30 pm, as a terrifying experience, with intense vibrations felt throughout Morocco. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination heavily dependent on tourism for its economy. Ageli estimated that the unofficial death toll could be as high as 10,000, although the government had not confirmed this figure.
He suggested that the Moroccan government might downplay the death toll to avoid discouraging tourists, as the country’s economy relies heavily on tourism. Ageli also highlighted that the earthquake took everyone by surprise, and there was no prior warning from the government.
Regarding the Nigerian community in Morocco, Ageli estimated that there are around 5,000 Nigerians living in the country, including students, non-students, and legal migrants. He confirmed that, to date, only one Nigerian has been identified as a victim of the earthquake, a lady named Tina who fractured her leg while jumping from a building during the earthquake. Tina is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Ageli praised the Nigerian embassy in Morocco for its prompt response and assistance to Nigerians in the wake of the disaster. He emphasized that there are no official plans to evacuate Nigerians from Morocco due to the earthquake, as Morocco is considered a good host country, and the earthquake’s impact has been significant for Moroccan citizens.
He mentioned that the Nigerian association in Morocco is involved in helping and assisting earthquake victims, including providing support to Tina. They are also focused on mass enlightenment efforts to educate Nigerians about what to do in case of an earthquake, emphasizing the importance of not panicking.
When asked if Nigerians in Morocco are considering returning home due to the earthquake, Ageli indicated that there is no verifiable information about Nigerians leaving Morocco in large numbers. He believes that this earthquake, while a significant disaster, is not a sufficient reason for Nigerians to flee Morocco.
Ageli shared his personal experience of the earthquake, describing it as the scariest experience of his life. He mentioned that initially, he didn’t understand what was happening until he saw people outside, which made him realize it was an earthquake. He also expressed his fear during the earthquake and uncertainty about whether he would survive.
In conclusion, Ageli highlighted the Moroccan government’s efforts to assist earthquake victims, despite the country’s limited resources. He commended the King of Morocco for his compassion and empathy in visiting victims and addressing their needs. Ageli emphasized that the Nigerian association is open to assistance from various quarters to support earthquake victims and provide further enlightenment to Nigerians in Morocco.