Chiazor-Enenmor’s ‘See Morocco See Spain’ provides advocacy tool against illegal migration

By Godwin Okondo

AUTHOR and journalist, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, is out with an explosive adult fiction, See Morocco See Spain that maps the perilous paths Nigerians and other African migrants take to access the suppposed good life in europe. The book was officially launched at the Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, in the presence of family, friends, colleagues, and spiritual leaders who gathered to celebrate her new work.

The novel, which explores the harsh realities around migration and human trafficking, particularly the now-infamous “Japa” syndrome plaguing Nigeria, struck a chord with guests and critics alike. Among them was journalist, writer and literary critic Anote Ajeluorou, who provided a poignant review of the book. He described it as a mind-blowing account that truthfully mirrors Nigeria’s socio-political and economic challenges, challenges that have driven countless young people to seek better lives abroad, often through perilous means.

In See Morocco See Spain, Chiazor-Enenmor offers a haunting yet vital narrative that captures the hopes, fears, and tragedies behind illegal migration crisis. Through her evocative storytelling, she not only honors lost lives but also issues a powerful call to action: to educate, to empathize, and to protect the dreams of the young from becoming nightmares in journeys that led nowhere in the elusive hope of finding succour in other people’s lands.

“The desperation to leave Nigeria at all costs, which this story captures so vividly, usually ends in disaster,” Ajeluorou noted. He emphasized that the country’s grim realities, political instability, poor governance, and economic hardship—are among the root causes of the migration crisis. He concluded that Ndidi’s work not only fictionalizes these truths but lays bare the heartbreak and dangers that often accompany such risky journeys.

Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor

Another jurnalist, writer and singer, Yoruba poetry exponent and compere at the event and who lent his poetic gusto to serenade the Chiazor-Enenmor for her creativity was Akeem Lasisi. Like comic comperes, Lasisi laced steered the programme with poetic lines in his usual slow but intense punch lines that got the audience reeling in laughter especially ending some lines with ‘See Morocco See Spain’ that became a refrain all through the launch proceedings.

Speaking on the broader impact of the book, its publisher and founder of Purple Shelves Limited, described See Morocco See Spain as more than just a story of migration. According to her, it shines a light on a wider web of social ills, especially human trafficking, a billion-dollar global industry with deep roots in West Africa, where Nigeria stands as both a major source and transit country.

“While migration is the central theme, the novel also uncovers the horrors of sexual exploitation, forced labour, and organized crime,” Chimela said. “Many of these victims, especially women and children, fall prey to false promises of a better life, only to become commodities in an illicit trade that earns traffickers over $150 billion annually.”

Using slides that show statistics about the global scale of migration, illegal and legal, Chimeka recounted that many are unaware of the dangers involved in going through the Sahara Desert and crossing the treacherous Mediterranean Sea, adding, “Despite public awareness campaigns, the flow hasn’t stopped; it has merely evolved. Fiction like Ndidi’s offers a compelling way to educate people, especially young Nigerians, about these dangers.”

Chiazor-Enenmor, who is also a seasoned journalist, shared insights into her journey as a writer and the inspiration behind the book. She recalled how her writing roots were nurtured during her university years at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she first penned a poem titled ‘Departure’, and posted casually in her department’s notice board, with the poem attracting significant attention and feedback from her classmates—an experience that boosted her confidence and cemented her love for writing.

Chiazor-Enenmor credited her early exposure to books for cultivating her passion for storytelling. Growing up in a home filled with literature and frequently borrowing from her school library, she devoured titles far beyond her age, which sharpened her literary voice. Known for her versatility, Chiazor-Enenmor writes for both children and adults. She explained that switching between the two genres comes naturally to her.

“When I write for children, I become a child,” she said. “I test my drafts with the children around me and their feedback always surprises me. Children think differently from adults, and it’s important to adjust the language and storytelling accordingly.”

Her first published book, I Will Always Eat My Food, was inspired by her daughter’s finicky eating habits. “My children have been a big part of my creative process,” she said. “They, and the many children I engage with during workshops and seminars, constantly inspire my work.”

Despite being a mother, she faces no constraints when it comes to writing, as, according to her, “I write whenever inspiration strikes. Even if I’m without pen and paper, I use my phone to jot down ideas, so I don’t lose them. I’m most productive at night, and I usually sleep around midnight.”

The genesis of See Morocco See Spain is deeply personal for Chiazor-Enenmor, who was a finalist at last year’s The Nigeria Prize for Literature for her children’s work A Father’s Pride, sponsored by the gas comapny, NLNG. She dedicated the new book to a cousin who embarked on the hazardous journey to Europe 26 years ago and has not been heard from since.

“My husband knew about him and encouraged me to write the story I had carried in my heart for years,” she said. Interestingly, it was her husband who suggested the book’s title, a phrase that sparked both humor and reflection in Chiazor-Enenmor. In researching the novel, she visited Spain, where she and her husband toured various regions, gathering insights and experiences that enriched the narrative. “It’s a fictional story,” she said, “but it is grounded in real-life experiences, my relatives, my own observations, and the stories of countless others,” with the actual writing process took less than three months.

“I always know my story’s beginning and end before I start. Once I have that clarity, writing becomes easier,” she told her audience.

At the launch, she read excerpts from the book, including a powerful passage on page 173 that illustrated the deception many would-be migrants face. Her husband echoed this sentiment, stating that recruiters often mislead desperate individuals by showing them maps and claiming Spain is within swimming distance from Morocco, a reality that is always daunting for the unsuspecting, desperate migrant, adding, “What they don’t tell them,” he said, “is the deadly cost of that journey.”

The publisher Chimeka concluded the event by emphasizing that the novel is not just a work of fiction, but a tool for advocacy. She urged attendees to buy extra copies for others and announced plans for national book reading tours to spread the piognant message of See Morocco See Spain.

“This is a mission,” she said. “We’re targeting teenagers, those most vulnerable to this dangerous dream. If we can educate them now, perhaps we can save lives.”

Fellow writers and journalists in solidarity: Prisca Sam-Duru of Vanguard (left); Silva Nze Ifedigbo; Anote Ajeluorou; the author Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor and her publisher Amara Chimeka; founder of Poets in Nigeria (PIN) Sir Eriata Oribabhor; Tony Okuyeme of New Telegraph; festival programmer Osaze Samuel; poet and event compere Akeem Lasisi and Damiete Braide of The Sun at the event… in Lagos