Well-known R&B idol Akon joined the long list of people supporting Malta’s plight of irregular migrants when he visited the open centre asylum seekers at Marsa.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Akon referred to the United States’ offer to take on a number of asylum seekers to the US and grant them full US citizenship there in order to help them start a better life.

“I definitely support the idea of taking a number of asylum seekers to the US to find a better future there and I will lobby to increase the numbers so that more and more of these people can live a better life,” he told this newspaper.

Asked whether he would consider giving a financial contribution so these people can live a better life even while in Malta, Akon said he thinks that investing in education will give more of a long-term effect everyone desires.

Accompanied by United States Ambassador to Malta Molly Bordonaro, Akon toured the centre and spoke to the asylum seekers who greeted him with cheers and literally assaulted him to try to get a picture with him.

Akon, who hails from Senegal, came to Malta for the Isle of MTV – Malta Special music festival that took place on Thursday evening. He extended his stay when he discovered that there are many Africans in the open and detention centres in Malta.

Sporting a white Puma T-shirt with “Believe in the future of Africa” printed on it, Akon said he is doing all he can to instil confidence in African children and contribute to improving the general state of affairs of Africa.

“It has been a long dream of mine to be in a position to make a difference. Music is just a tool. Africa really needs help. Everything was taken from Africa but nothing was given to it. There is no reason why Africans should have anything less than any other person in the world. It is my responsibility to do something I can feel good about,” he said.

Referring to what Malta and the Maltese are doing with irregular migrants, Akon said: You didn’t have to take these people. You could have put them back on a boat and set them back, even at gunpoint. But you didn’t do this because you do believe that these people belong to your same family. We are all one big family and this is how we can help one another.

“Do unto others what you want them to do to you.

“I never heard of Malta before but now that I know, you’re doing a great job and I thank you for it. Let’s just all believe in the future of Africa and let’s help it move forward.”