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Tag: Stella Monye

  • Don’t let him die

    Don’t let him die

    Ibrahim, Stella Monye’s son, is in the throes of pains.  Don’t let him die.  But every second counts.

    The last we came public about Ibrahim and his health issues, it was to announce a pledge of N1 million, from a kind Nigerian who would rather remain anonymous, to the Ibrahim N20 million appeal fund.

    But months after, that pledge has remained what it was — a pledge.

    “The man is not even taking my calls again,” says Stella, the distraught mother.  “Never taking my calls.  Never returning my texts.”

    Indeed, despite The Nation’s campaign in aid of this fund, by near-daily donation of advert space, all it has grossed is N487, 000.

    But even this amount — puny, given the N20 million target for Ibrahim to access corrective surgery in the United States, after previous surgeries in Nigeria and India had failed — showed the generous  and empathetic spirit of Nigerians.

    Given the crunchy economic times, and cutting across income groups, Nigerians have dipped hands into empty pockets but brought out something.

    Among those that made inquiries, and later donated, was Prof. Femi Osofisan, emeritus professor of Theatre Arts, at the University of Ibadan and former newspaper columnist.

    But no big donors has chipped in anything, with the situation making the mother distraught and driving the son into what the mother fears may be depression, in-between bouts of excruciating pains.

    “I always tell him not to shut his room door,” Stella told The Nation.  “That is what he does when he just sinks into himself, and everything just bounces off him.  Still every morning, I try to rally his hope and tell him help would come and he would get his life back.  But,” she paused, “I only speak with faith, given how little we have been able to raise.”

    But even that little has come in handy.  Apart from his dark moods, Ibrahim’s condition, the mother fears, is degenerating, pushing another crisis.

    Stella explains: “The catheter, a device inserted in his lower abdomen to the bladder, has ruptured his bladder.  It is to pass urine to an outside bag attached to it. Though it is changed every two weeks to avoid infection, it many times refuses to detach, not only causing him unbearable pains but also making him bleed inside.”

    He also has lacerated kidney, which requires a fresh but costly laboratory test to determine the extent of damage, before commencing adequate treatment.  But the good news is, from the doctor’s opinion, the kidney is treatable.

    Still, the not-so-good news: even if it heals, everything would come to nought, without the corrective surgery which, he added, should take place without much delay.

    However, that looks remote, given the difficulty in raising funds, even as Ibrahim’s condition becomes more critical by the day.

    This condition notwithstanding, Nigerians have been sympathetic towards Ibrahim’s cause, even if the treatment fund target has not been met.

    One of such is Hon. Lola Akande, the Lagos State commissioner for Women Affairs.  According to Stella, Mrs. Akande, aside from pledging to donate to the fund, wrote to the Lagos State House of Assembly, notifying  the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on the Ibrahim condition; and the imperative to quickly raise funds to help.

    In response, the Assembly has pledged to chip in their own “little” contributions.

    Letters have also been written to many quarters, public and private, soliciting for support.

    In the public sector, letters have gone to the Governor’s Office in Delta (Stella’s home state), and Edo, the two that used to form Bendel, Stella’s native state for much of her earlier years, when she honoured Nigeria, home and abroad, with her dramatic and musical talent.

    In the private sector, a letter has also been despatched to the Dangote Foundation, which has a strong record of supporting causes like these, aside from those to well-heeled and charitable individuals that can help.

    But the response to these letters has been rather poor, as proved by the little fund raised so far.

    Ibrahim had a freak accident in 1999, when her mother was away on national assignment, working hard with other artistes, under the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, on the cultural aspects of the FIFA U2O World Cup, popularly known here as Nigeria 99.

    After eight surgeries, the latest being in India, Ibrahim is yet to get his life  back, because all of them have failed, leaving the patient in worse state than before.

    That has necessitated a corrective surgery which Dr. Ayo Gomih, medical director at the Urology Centre, at Indiana, USA, has said has a chance of correcting the defects.

    These defects are damaged organs: Ibrahim’s left kidney, his bladder and his uretha.  But the complicated nature of the surgery accounts for the high cost — N20 million.

    The surgical sojourn would take one month: pre-surgical work-up, the actual surgery and post-surgery care, observation and recuperation.

    Mother and child are scared stiff, as the days roll by and nothing appears to be happening.

    Ibrahim’s days and nights are a relay pains, more pains and yet more excruciating pains.

    Please help Ibrahim to get his life back; and relieve a loving mother of an agony that is now 18 years at a stretch.

    Please contribute to the Save Ibrahim Fund.

    Here is the account detail: Stella Monye, First Bank account number 2021451638. Or you can give her a call on: 2348037305052.  You can also call 08054504169.

  • Stella Monye: Son’s N20 million appeal fund grosses first N1 million

    Stella Monye: Son’s N20 million appeal fund grosses first N1 million

    THE N20 million appeal fund to save Stella Monye’s son, Ibrahim Onyenmchi Amusan, has grossed its first N1 million, courtesy of a kind-hearted Nigerian, who doesn’t even want his name in print! Though it is N19 million to go, in a race against time to save Ibrahim, it is a big relief for a doting mother; and a brave son, who though in pains, clings to life with hope that help would come. Ibrahim, 28, had a freak accident at 11. After many failed surgeries, he is yet to get his life back. With complications following the surgeries, the last one in India in 2014, Ibrahim now has damaged internal organs: the left kidney, the bladder and the uthera, thus needing a fresh surgery in the USA. Dr. Ayo Gomih, medical director at the Urology Centre, in Indiana, USA, in a correspondence with Ms Monye, assured that though Ibrahim’s case was complex, it was not hopeless.

    Evaluating the x-rays and medical reports from Ms Monye, by Dr. A. Abolarin of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH), where Ibrahim obtained earlier treatments, Dr. Gomih projects Ibrahim would stay for a month in the hospital. This, he explained, was due to the complexity and the extent of damage to Ibrahim’s uretha; from the original injury and from the multiple procedures he had undergone, since the freak accident 17 years ago. The one-month stay would include a few days of pre-surgical work-up, a few days of post-surgical hospitalization and about two weeks of post-surgical office follow-up, in order to minimize possible complications.

    The 11-year old Ibrahim, who lost his father at 10 in 1998, recalled the accident to The Nation, in obvious pain. He fell trying to help a school mate take his bath, so both of them could go for their afterschool evening lesson. On getting to his house, however, the boy was not ready for lack of water to take a bath. So, he asked Ibrahim to assist him turn on the overhead tank faucet. But Ibrahim slipped from the scaffolding and fell on a sharp object, which pierced his uretha.

    That changed his life into a constant dash in and out of hospitals Meanwhile, Mum Stella was away on national assignment in Abuja, in company of other artistes, led by the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, working on the theme song for the FIFA U-21 World Cup, which Nigeria hosted in 1999. She got the news of her son’s accident on the cusp of presenting the theme song to the then Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Stella’s mother, under whose care Ms Monye left her son, phoned to break the news.

    But thinking it was a minor thing, Stella asked her to take the child to any available hospital. Ibrahim was taken to the then General Hospital, Ikeja. He was repaired at the hospital but there was a relapse, which has thrown his young life into a relay of heart-rending medical emergencies, within and outside the country. The last repair was done by Dr Quptar, at Medanta Global Hospital, Gorgon Hariana New Delhi, India, with top artistes going on a road show to raise money. But it was an umpteenth failure, causing further complications. The Nation, visiting the family, met a distraught mother and a brooding son suffused with pain, just hanging on to life, with the hope help would come soon. Ms Monye said that had been the pattern these past 17 years, since the accident happened.

    “For over 17 years now, I have had to care for my son through his eight surgeries, and recoveries,” she said. “But his condition has deteriorated. He is permanently on catheter and in constant pains. And I have not really engaged in any money making ventures that could fund such procedure. I need everybody’s financial assistance now to get this done.” That then is the story of Stella Monye, whose 1984 monster hit, “Okomi Ye,” in the album, Mr. Wright, with many other hits, has added joy to the lives of other Nigerians. Now, she needs fellow Nigerians to put joy in her heart by helping to save her only son — nay, only child. Are you moved to assist this woman? From N20 million,the target is now N19 million. Here is her account detail: Stella Monye, First Bank account number 2021451638. Or you can give her a call on: 2348037305052. You can also call 08054504169.

  • Stella Monye’s son Ibrahim needs $50, 000 for surgery

    Stella Monye’s son Ibrahim needs $50, 000 for surgery

    SEVENTEEN years after he nearly plunged into death, songstress Stella Monye’s only child Ibrahim Onyenmchi Amusan is still battling for life.

    Ibrahim damaged his left kidney, bladder and urethra when he fell off a scaffoldings while trying to adjust an overhead water tank in 1999.

    The incident happened in the house of a friend he went to call for their after-school lessons. The friend had not taken his bath when Ibrahim got to his place because of lack of water.

    At the friend’s request, Ibrahim, then 11, climbed the scaffoldings to fix the water tank faucet. But on his way down, he slipped and fell on a sharp object that lacerated his urethra.

    His mother was not around when the incident happened but his grandmother rushed him to hospital at Monye’s request. Monye thought it was a minor case, which could be dealt with at any hospital. The musician told The Nation that she was in Abuja, rehearsing with others for the Nigeria ’99 theme song towards the hosting of the FIFA U-21 World Cup when it all happened.

    Ibrahim was treated at the Ikeja General Hospital but there was a relapse for which he has been in and out of medical emergencies within and outside the country. The last surgery was done by Dr Quptar at Medanta Global Hospital, in Gorgon Hariana New Delhi, India

    Monye recalled how Lady of Songs, the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe led other musicians to raise fund for her son’s treatment. “After failed surgeries, over the years, particularly the one done in India in 2014, I with other artistes like K1, Daddy Showkey, Orits Wiliki, Onyeka Onwenu, Lagbaja! and Pasuma, held a road show to appeal for funds. But I stopped the campaign when it was discovered that so many people were using it to fleece the public including those in the diaspora without remitting the money for my son’s treatment,” said Monye.

    Ibrahim, who has acquired, some qualifications in Information Communication Technology (ICT) online needs about $50, 000 for fresh surgery.

    In a letter to the family, Dr Ayo Gomih of the Urology Centre in Indiana, United States (U.S) assured Ibrahim that he would get the best of treatment.

    After evaluating the x-rays and medical reports sent to him by Monye and LASUTH’s Dr A. Abolarin, Dr. Gomih said Ibrahim would spend about a month in the US because of the complexity of the case. He cited the extent of the damage to Ibrahim’s urethra from the original injury and the multiple procedures he has undergone in Nigeria and India.

    Ibrahim is expected to do few days of pre-surgical workup and few days of post-surgical hospitalisation. He would also require about two weeks of post-surgical office follow-up to minimise complications.

    Since the incident, Monye has been helping the 28-year-old Ibrahim, who lost his father in 1999, with such things as eating, walking and personal hygiene. But she is now hard-pressed.

    “Since the over 17 years experience has occurred, I have had to care for my son through his eight surgeries, recoveries and as his condition deteriorated, he is permanently on catheter and in constant pains. And I have not really engaged in any money making ventures that could fund such procedure. I need everybody’s financial assistance now to get this done,” Monye said.

    Donations can be sent to Stella Monye, First Bank account number 2021451638. She can be reached on: 2348037305052.

     

  • Stella Monye’s only son is dying!

    Stella Monye’s only son is dying!

    •Veteran singer cries for help

    For 17 years, music artiste, Stella Monye has carried the cross of her only son, Ibrahim, who has been in and out of hospital.

    With little or no headway, Stella is afraid that if his condition lingers, it will be double-tragedy. “When I grow old and infirm,” she told Ripples, “how can Ibrahim take care of me, when he has lived most of his life, moving from one hospital to another?”

    Time indeed is running out for Ibrahim who would need US $50, 000 for a life-saving surgery, according to the Urology Centre, in Indiana USA, where Dr. Ayo Gomih is medical director.

    Ibrahim had an accident when he was 11. His mother was said to be out serving her country, as part of a musical group producing the Nigeria ’99 theme song, en route to hosting the FIFA U-21 World Cup.

    Recalling the ordeal, the singer disclosed how the phone call about her son’s accident came when she and her colleagues were presenting the Nigeria ’99 theme song to Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. She said she went on tour to promote that theme song, thinking the accident was minor.

    Ibrahim’s butt had landed pat on spikes, as he fell from a raised water tank, piercing vital organs, and tragically altering his young life into a relay of heart-rending medical emergencies.

    His condition has gone from bad to worse, especially as the surgeries have failed over the years, particularly the 2014 one in India, for which Stella, with other artistes like K1, Daddy Showkey, Orits Wiliki, Onyeka Onwenu, Lagbaja and Pasuma staged a roadshow to appeal for funds. The failed surgeries, she said, had further damaged more of Ibrahim’s internal organs such as the left kidney, the bladder and the uretha.

    Crying for help, Stella who seeks urgent remedy for her son’s condition can be contacted on +2348037305052. Her account details are: Stella Monye, First Bank account number 2021451638.

  • Stella Monye set for another ‘Old “Schull’ party

    Stella Monye set for another ‘Old “Schull’ party

    •Ras Kimono, Pasuma, Jimmy Jatt, others in the line-up

    Samba Queen, Stella Monye, is about to make an impressive outing, celebrating the late American singer, Prince Rogers Nelson, who died on April 21, this year.

    The show which she calls ‘Old Schull’ is expected to also rekindle some of the classics of Nigerian music, as artistes such as the Rub a Dub master Ras Kimono, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, DJ Jimmy Jatt and other celebrities will storm Blue Sea Garden and Nite Club, Akilo Road, venue of the party.

    The show which is scheduled to hold on Saturday July 30 is being put together by Monye and her NGO  Women Initiative Nigeria (WINAI). Prince, during his life time had been credited by many for championing the business of women in entertainment industry through his career. This, Monye said is line with the objectives of WINAI , which according to her “has introduced many women programmes like 1000 mics that has about 250 female singers raised from the school, churches, night club circuits and the general public shows among others.”

    Monye disclosed that apart from the party attendees dressing in ‘old school’ attires to the event, the show “will also feature an award segment where the wife of the governor of Lagos State, Bolanle and wife of the APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu will receive award for assisting the cause of women.”

    The Samba Queen said that other celebrities that will grace the occasion include Denrele Edun, actress Patience Ozokwor aka Mama G, Tee Mac Omatseli, Lady drummer Ara, Orits Wiliki, Daddy Showkey, Victor Essiet of the Mandators fame, the rain maker Majek Fashek, Sammy Okposo, Shina Peters, Salawa Abeni, Bolaji Rosiji and others.

    Prince Rogers Nelson who is being honoured post humously was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor.

  • Stella Monye to honour Prince with ‘old school’ show

    Stella Monye to honour Prince with ‘old school’ show

    A moment of fun and nostalgia will hit music lovers in July, as Samba Queen, Stella Monye is currently planning an old school party in honour of the late American singer, song writer, music producer and actor, Prince Rogers Nelson popularly known as Prince.

    Prince died about two months after the demise of his longtime protégé and former girlfriend, Vanity. He was working on his memoirs tentatively titled “the beautiful ones” with his brother when he passed on.

    Monye said she is endeared to the late singer for his music and passion for growing the careers of female talents.

    She said: ”I am celebrating Prince for his hardwork and contributions, largely in building up careers of young female talents and the established ones like Lady Chaka Khan, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Alicia Keys, Sinead O’Connor of “Nothing Compares” and many others to fame. Many of his band members are women including his most recent band (3rdEyeGirl). Prince throughout his career championed women in business.”

    The event according to Monye is being organised through her NGO, WINAI Women Nigeria Initiative, and will hold on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at the Blue Sea Garden and Nite Club, Akilo, Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos.

    The okomiye crooner added that the late Prince’s ideology tallies with that of her NGO, which is to train, empower and uplift women through talent development, to create opportunities for financial freedom and also to create women support groups for advocacies.

    WINAI, she said, has introduced many women programmes like 1000 Mics Initiative which has about 250 female singers raised from schools, churches, nite club circuits and the general public. She also introduced a show titled the HukUp Show (Harvest of a Unique Knowledge) in 2010, a high profile live show that presented and showcased young talented singers to the public. According to Monye, the maiden edition of HUK Up Show was sponsored and chaired by Chief Mrs Oluremi Tinubu.

  • I USE MUSIC for ACTIVISM–STELLA MONYE

    I USE MUSIC for ACTIVISM–STELLA MONYE

    Stella Monye needs little introduction. In the past three decades, she has garnered a reputation as a poignant singer, fashion designer, and human rights activist. Though not a trained social worker, Monye’s human milk of kindness, and activism has seen her contribute her quota to the welfare of females and children. JOE AGBRO JR. writes about her recent involvement in politics, advocacy, and why she believes Nigerians have no reason to suffer deprivation

    THE gained repute as a singer for over two decades, and became a fashion designer to promote African fabrics, but fate charted a path for her in activism. Recently, Stella Monye directed her attention to politics. Not as a direct participant, but as a campaign mobiliser.

    Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Monye joined the fray of the political campaign of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State. Following the zoning of the governorship position to her constituency, “It was all hands on deck for me,” said Monye.

    “I brought in some icons for the march and we went to all the 25 Local Governments to campaign for him. Before his arrival, our task was to sensitise the audience. It was a wow experience! I took Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, The Righteous Man. Kimono was even more famous than anyone else, getting almost mobbed at every location that we went. It was a huge experience and it contributed a lot to the success story. At a point, we would take okada(commercial motorcycles), parking our cars. We were told that the roads were bad. Our phones were stolen, almost mobbed, and we didn’t have security. Righteous Man was huge and when people saw him coming behind us, they would give way.”

    Though she campaigned vigorously for Okowa, Monye says she would castigate the governor should he fail to deliver on his campaign promises.

    “Musicians should be on the side of the people, not politicians. Those who take sides with politicians are taking the wrong approach and it is wrong.”

    From artiste to humanist

    BUT Monye understands that the government cannot bring all the development. She’s always known this. After becoming well-known as a musician it wasn’t in Stella Monye’s plans to become a human rights activist.

     “You can say it fell in my lap,” said Monye, “but it would not have fallen in my lap if I wasn’t interested in the first place. It started from the interest, and I have the wealth of ten years’ experience in human rights activism, civil society and social services work.”

    This chance involvement in advocacy has, however, birthed her experience in social work.

    “There was a time I served food in schools in Lagos. I would go to Special Schools for the visually-impaired, the hard of hearing, and others. I made it a point of duty to serve the children food. I was working with a Faith-based foundation in Apapa, and I remember that in that organisation, we had other social service workers who were supposed to be the ones who served the food. But I always took it upon myself to go with them to make sure that the food was properly served. It made a lot of impact because the children were always coming to see me.

    “There were so many other areas where I participated in social work. I worked with the late Beko Ransome-kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Anthony Enahoro, Wole Soyinka, and Governor Adams Oshiomole. I worked in the labour movement, with Dr. Joe- Yinka-Odumakin; and was involved in almost all her civil society work. She still invites me up till today and I go with her unless I am out town. I have always had my hands full of social activities. When PRONACO was around, I did road shows with them. I used music and it was fun, but was also hard work.”

    Unlike other musicians that primarily used their music to advocate human rights issues, Monye plunged into the activism before singing about it.

    “I had to come up with songs about societal ills,” said Monye when she started her activism campaigns.

    It would take a while before she came up with Elenuwa, a song that addressed human rights issues.

    Though Elenuwa is not as popular as her hit, Oko Mi Ye, it nevertheless addresses social issues in the country.

    “The song,” said Monye about Elenuwa, “says in the days of my father, things were easier but look at what the world has become. Life has gone haywire. So that is a strong song. But now I am going into gospel. I believe that with God, everything is possible.”

    But before Elenuwa, Monye was content with singing other musicians’ songs.

    “Whenever we had such outings, I would sing songs from Bob Marley, Fela and the like. I remember I used to sing Mr President by African China. I would make sure that all the songs are relevant to the events. I would teach some singers the songs so that we could sing together while on road shows. So, it was another kind of gathering for me. I made a lot of people do what they had never thought they’d be able to do in their wildest imagination. It was fun.”

    Monye said the experience made people working with her become better individuals.

    Those individuals include Lucky Okri, Mike Okri’s younger brother who was lead singer and over 250 singers drawn from churches and schools. At a point, Monye said over 50 students from the Music department of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, participated in such group work.

    Monye also had a stint with AM Express, the NTA morning programme, for about six months, instituting music tailored for the programme. “I gave them the band through the Foundation that I was working for. I gave them the group of musicians.”

    A busybody and feminist, Monye also came up with ‘Hook Up Show’, a programme which featured female acts prominent on the night club circle but without opportunity to break into the mainstream.

    “The first outing was chaired by Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” said Monye.

    “She encouraged me and even provided us with a hall in Alausa, Lagos. Tinubu was one of the people who bankrolled us from the beginning. But at a point, I had to do other things. I was also thinking of screening it on television. That slowed me down a bit because I had to attend to other things. I will come back to it.”

    Monye also floated Women Health Initiative Nigeria (WHIN) to intervene in protecting women and girls in need.

    “It was inspired by a young girl and she brought the baby and dumped her in front of my house. She was just 16, living with her uncle in that area. He was always abusing her verbally and reminding her that she had a baby out of wedlock and that she didn’t have a job. She really didn’t have a job. And she couldn’t take care of the baby. So she dumped the baby and ran away. The policewoman who stayed in the same premises was called. She then called my attention to the baby. We decided to take the baby to Little Saints Orphanage but then we needed to make enquiries as to who saw her dump the baby and where she stays. We had a lucky break. Somebody saw her lying on top of a broken down vehicle with the baby that afternoon. We found out that a lot of people know her. We traced her uncle and traced her too. We reconciled her with her baby and we gave her some clothes. We gave her some diapers for the baby.”

    Concern for mother and child

    THE incident inspired Monye who also had a baby as a teenager, as she reconciled with the fact that because of a lack of social security in the country, lot of girls suffer similar plight.

    “A lot of younger girls who saw what I did for the girl came to see me in the house to ask for one help or the other. They wanted jobs, some I would help to get jobs. Sometimes, I would give them perishables from my kitchen. I can give you foodstuff. I did a lot of that. I had a baby as a teenager myself. Although the circumstances may be different, they may not be lucky as I was to get some care. But I just said this is one area I want to look into. Another NGO that works with single girls recently invited me to be on their board of directors.”

    Monye has also witnessed attacks while on campaign. She recalls during a road show at Ikeja bus stop when hoodlums attacked and wanted to rob them.

    “We had food stuffs in the truck,” she said, “and you know a hungry man is an angry man. You could see anger on these people’s faces. We took cartoons of biscuits, water and we packed rice in take away plates so when we encounter such, we would give them out.”

    In the course of her campaigns, she said she found herself in different similar situations. But the singer says that is not enough deterrent.

    As a new government takes over the saddle, the singer is optimistic of a better Nigeria, especially as it concerns the welfare of women and children.

    “During the campaign, I overheard one of the parties promising to start social service scheme of about N5, 000. Some people were complaining about it but then let us start from somewhere and see how it goes and may be with time, it can be increased. Maybe the new government will be feeding children in school all over Nigeria. That is a huge task though. Sometimes, I ask how it could be done but it is possible. If we can do it at the NGO level, government should be able to do something. (Governor) Fashola’s government supported a lot of NGOs in Lagos depending on your approach.

    “We have the Ministry of Women Affairs set up by the Lagos State Government but I don’t know how effective they are. Some women I hear claimed that they have taught them some skills for empowerment. That is part of what we want to do as NGO. Get women to develop their crafts. We just need a centre to start this kind of thing. If international organisations can do it, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to do it. We are one of the richest countries in Africa. The N5, 000 social security fund should be passed into law. They can push the money up a bit. Things are very expensive in Nigeria. We can push the money up a bit.”

    Law and other pies

    MONYE also tried her hands at fashion at one time. She founded Samba Wears, which used African materials to create men’s wears. Monye, who favoured using Ankara and Aso Oke said she went into men’s wear “because it is easier to cloth men than to clothe women.”

    But the singer confessed she many her hands in many pies.

    “I had distractions,” she said.

    “I went to the studio and I was working on my gospel album. I also travelled a lot out of the country. I was looking for more experience and I was also trying to source for things that I could do.”

    Currently, Monye is also studying law.

    But why is she doing it at this time?

    “My late father wanted me to read law and I like the excitement of knowing my rights and knowing some things that could protect me,” she responds.

    “So, it is a combination of two things. I want to please my father wherever he is in heaven. I wanted to widen my own scope as well. I may not practise but at the end of the day, I would have had the knowledge and I will know how to make good use of it.”

    Though she is not sure of what area of law she intends to specialise on.

    But with her involvement in music, fashion and activism, studying law is definitely an asset, one Monye intends on using.

  • My lifestyle gave me diabetes

    My lifestyle gave me diabetes

    My lifestyle gave me diabetes

    NIGERIAN celebrated songster, Stella Monye, is a diabetic and that to her, is not the end of the world. Mid last year, just a few days before the Oko mi ye crooner was scheduled to host her much talked about 30th year anniversary celebration in the entertainment industry, she had an attack while on the way to see one of her sponsors.

    Luckily for her, she had lived with diabetes for some time, so she knew what next to do. She drove to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital with her Music manager and publicist in tow.

    Upon arrival at the hospital, the nurses already saw the signs and Stella was immediately wheeled into a ward and urgently attended to. One of the nurses was later to alarmingly tell her, “that was close!”

    That was a hard truth to swallow. Stella had because of the up coming event over-worked herself, completely forgetting that as a diabetic, she ought to live by the rules of attentiveness to her daily health condition. She was in hospital for some days and almost missed the mega celebration which turned out to be one of the best musical shows in year 2013.

    Living as a diabetic may medically not be fun, but it is, according to medical practitioners, a life worthy of holding onto. But from Stella Monye’s experience, what is life like being a diabetic?

    “As far as I am concerned,” said the songster, “diabetes to my understanding is when you have high blood sugar in your body system. It attacks people in different forms. Unfortunately, some people are not just diabetic, they are forced by life circumstances, to combine it with high blood pressure.

    “From my experience, the symptoms come in different forms. In some cases it makes one vomit from time to time. Sometimes it puts you in a sort of temporary coma and you can also be dizzy and weak. At such times, the digestive system does not function well.”

    As in most cases among diabetics, Stella Monye disclosed to us that diabetes did not get to her in one day. “It was gradual. I did not just wake up one day and found out that I had diabetes. Yes, it was gradual. And twice I entered into coma in public places. My first experience was in Balogun market in Central Business District area of Lagos Island. It actually happened while I was shopping there. My second experience was at the Muritala Mohamed International Airport on my way out of the country.

    “In both cases, I just blacked out and did not come round for several hours. It was a taste of death, so to say. But even after those two attacks, ironically, I had no knowledge that I had become a diabetic. So, I did not understand why I had gone into a coma.”

    The Samba Queen, as she is also popularly known from her kind of music, was somewhat alarmed at her health condition. Upon approaching medical experts, she was diagnosed as a diabetic. It took her some time to digest the meaning and the implications.

    “Initially, I was not scared. But the doctors explained the implications and informed me that if not well managed, it could kill very fast. So that scared me!

    “I suddenly realised that I had a difficult health to battle. Confirmation in my case, also meant that treatment must be embarked upon. So I summoned courage and strictly embarked on the medication prescribed to me by my doctor. I also adhered to the foods prescribed from my doctor as part of the crisis management approach, a point which I had already got to, which is quite expensive when you consider the cost of the drugs and all other things put together.”

    As a sickness that is on going, the music star admits that she endeavours to manage it as best as she can. Though, “It hasn’t been easy because already my heart has been affected. That is what diabetes does. Most often, it affects your heart first and goes on to attack your kidneys.”

    One could not help but ask Stella Monye, how she has been able to cope with the sickness, her very challenging life as a celebrated music star, the long hours of rehearsals and attending shows and social events.

    “Well, I can say it has really slowed me down. In recent times, I have not been exuding the kind of energy I used to in years gone by. I am not much of a hyper-active person as I used to be. I have tilted more into a hypertensive person, though that is manageable too. But all that makes you lose weight because the sugar in your blood allows the calories to burn faster. Fat is also not good for a diabetic person, so I have shed a whole lot of weight.”

    When Stella Monye said “It is not easy living as a diabetic,” she indeed meant it. This is because she had an attack at another time when she was planning a mega show called the Whin Concert. As much as she worked on the possibility of hosting that show, it did not come to be. And that, according to her, was because among other things, she suffered another attack.

    “Yes, it cost me my work. It cost me my show. When I was planning the Whin Concert, my blood pressure went on the rise. I had to cancel the show.”

    Having lived successfully with diabetes for quite a while, the songster has some tips for people who may be diabetic too or just discovered that they are. “It has a lot to do with the foods that we eat. I would say that such people should eat and drink right. Eating and drinking right is very important. They should also drink a lot of water. Being diabetes also means that you have to find knowledge about the illness. You have to learn to do little researches about what diabetes is all about and how you can cope. There are newer discoveries from time to time and a diabetic is better placed if you keep in touch with growing knowledge.”

    Blunt, cheerful Stella Monye was also quick to admit that her lifestyle at some point, contributed to her being a diabetic today. “Yes, it’s true, my lifestyle contributed. In a lot of ways, I drank too much sugar and sugar coated substances, which included soft drinks and so on. My vegetable intake was rather too low and for several years, I was not drinking water but carbonated drinks.

    “I will rather advise that people live a healthier lifestyle, different from the type that I used to live. People should eat and drink to promote their health instead of destroying it. It is very simple to know what to avoid as an adult, and also you should know what the kids should take. Cut out all the sweets in their lives. You may just be saving them a healthy future.”

  • Music veterans honoured in Lagos

    Music veterans honoured in Lagos

    Some veteran Nigerian musicians were honoured in the early hours of Monday in Lagos, for their contributions to the development of Nigerian music.

    The awards, tagged: “The Headies Veterans’ Night, “held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos were presented to Tony Okoroji, Sir Shina Peters, Laolu Akins, Stella Monye and Ras Kimono.

    Others were: Mike Okri, Adewale Ayuba and Victor Olaiya.

    Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, Patrick Doyle, Femi Lasode, Edi Lawani and Grand Master Lee also won awards for their contributions to Nigerian Art.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the annual event organised by Smooth Promotions, was a celebration of evergreen Nigerian music rendered in contemporary genre platform by younger artists.

    The musical performances which brought back fond memories in the audience saw a pop artist, Jaywon opening the event with a rendition of late Fatai Rolling Dollars’ “Won Kere Si Number Wa, “ while Chidinma performed “Seun Rere’’ by late Christy Essien-Igbokwe.

    Dammy Krane performed Pasuma’s “Liga Liga Li,” Sean Tizzle rendered King Sunny Ade’s “Merciful God” Sound Sultan sang Majek Fashek’s “Send Down the Rain,” while Tosin Martins replicated Adewale Ayuba’s “Ijo Fuji.”

    NAN reports that the highlight of the infectious night was when some of the veteran musicians in attendance joined the younger artists in an impromptu duet.

    The electrifying moment saw Ayuba joining Martins on stage to perform, while Ras Kimono teamed up with Sound Sultan in performing his evergreen track, “Rumba Stylee.”

    Dr. Sid performed “Guitar Boy” by Sir Victor Uwaifo, while Teju Babyface cajoled Sir Shina Peters into performing “Shinamania” with him.

    Babyface repeated the same trick with Mike Okri, who also came onstage and performed the old track “Omoge.”

    Saxophonist, Mike Aremu, also leveraged the night’s tempo with his replication of Lagbaja’s “Cool Temper.”

    The organiser of the event, Ayo Animashaun, said the awards were in recognition of the veterans’ contributions to the development of the Nigeria music industry.

     

     

  • Stella Monye celebrates three decades

    Stella Monye celebrates three decades

    SEVERALLY referred to as the Samba Queen, Stella Monye will be rolling out the drums come Sunday, April 28th at 4pm to celebrate 30 years of her musical career and her get-together tagged Stage Players Party.

    The event which is expected to bring together icons of entertainment and arts and top government officials will feature live performances of colleagues and associates of Stella. Comedy, drama, fashion, dance, art exhibitions and a command performance of the novel Stella Monye are features at the show tagged Stella Unscripted.

    The artiste started her career in the 80s when she recorded and released the album titled Mr. Wright which has the hit single, Oko Mi Yee. She went ahead to represent Nigeria at the Horizontel World Festival of Arts in Berlin, Germany as Oya to Sango Olukoso, touring the whole of European countries including Switzerland and Netherlands. Among her albums include Arigosamba, Change of Heart, One nation as well as I believe

    The event is sponsored by Airtel and Nigeria Distilleries.