Third Expedition
The purpose of Dr. Jibunoh's third expedition was to pass the torch to the next generation of desert warriors, so that they may continue to educate and recruit others in the fight against desert encroachment. The expedition team included three young men and two women volunteers who are keen to continue the search for ways to tame the desert and recover lost lands.
The third expedition was flagged off in Lagos by the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire. The expedition team of six and two crewmembers of Silverbird Television headed for the border town of Badagary on March 12, 2008. The expedition took a longer route: Lagos – Badagary – Cotonou – Accra – Kumasi – Ouagadougou – Mali – Senegal – Mauritania – Morocco. At Tangiers in Morocco, the team crossed the Mediterranean into Alicante in Spain. The drive continued from Spain to France, then terminated in London on April 20, 2008. The trip time was 40 days, and a distance of 16,000km was covered.
On many occasion during the third expedition, they had to make detours off the route in order to avoid hot spots. The desert had become a playing field for many insurgent groups in North and West Africa. During such a detour, while heading for the next safe haven in company of their guide, they were overrun by a heavy convoy of over 30 vehicles that literally pushed them off the road. By the time they arrived at what they thought would be a safe haven, they were advised to leave town. They eventually drove for another two hours before they camped for the night.