I Can't Go Back, Nigeria Is The Worst Place To Live - Nigerian Woman Who Gave Birth On Sea Declares

Stephanie Samuel, who gave birth on a warship after the Italian navy rescued her, says her daughter would have a better life in Europe, explaining why she risked the dangerous voyage.

The baby was named Francesca Marina, after St. Francis after she was delivered aboard the Bettica naval vessel in the Mediterranean last week. Stephanie worked for 2 years in Tripoli, Lybia, as a housemaid to save money to pay smugglers for the trip, but then the boat she set off in with about 90 others stalled after only 3 hours at sea.

By the time they were picked up 7 hours later, she was unconscious after suffering epileptic seizures and had gone into labor. She said her husband, who is still working in Libya, was ready to risk the sea crossing to be with them in Italy as soon as he could afford to pay smugglers who demand up to $1,500 for passage on an overcrowded, rickety boat.

During an interview with Reuters, she said: "I didn't expect the baby, you know, but she just like, she just came. I just wanted to leave Libya. Italy is better than Libya and Nigeria is the worst." About her daughter, she said: "God decides, not me.