Former Spuper Falcon’s player, formerly known as Iyabo Abade, but now known as James Johnson, who had both female and male organs, before she was sponsored abroad to correct the anomaly through surgical operations, has cried out again for help to complete the operation in the United States.
In an interview with The Point, Johnson said he was desperately in need of N15 million to travel out of the country to finalise the male transformation surgery.
The former Falcons’ star has been appealing to Nigerians for financial assistant since he returned to Nigeria in 2013, after his identity and personality was changed from female to male. “I need help.
I want God to intervene in my situation to enable me complete my treatment in California in the US. I cannot act perfectly as a man until this final medical examination is carried out.
I strongly believe that God, who started the process, will complete it. It is not my intention to be a man, but the series of tests carried out by the doctors confirmed that I am more of a man than a woman, before the surgery was carried out. And now, that I am still alive, I want to fulfil the duties of a man. I need help from Nigerians now than never,” Johnson told The Point.
When asked about how he has been surviving since he came back to Nigeria, Johnson said it has been God all through because he has not been working.
According to him, the first surgery was sponsored by the former Federal Capital Territory minister, now governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El Rufai, with his friend, Alhaji Muhammed Abba Gana. “But now, I need the money to stay in America for one year with flight ticket, accommodation, feeding and other medical expenses that would aid the treatment. It has not been easy for me, I must confess,” he said.
Johnson said his life has been a miracle all through, as he could not explain how God has been so kind to him, supplying all that he needs on daily basis to survive. He however disclosed that he has yet to see the bulk of the money to take care of his movement to America for treatment.
He said he would have asked for more, because of the dollar rate, stressing that he can still manage himself, if anybody, state or Federal government comes to his aid. Since the last surgery, Abade has been acting like a man. His dressing, thinking and behaviour have changed from that of a woman to a man.
“Initially, it was not easy adopting to the way of men but I had no option than to do so, as it is part of the change formula. But I have never denied my fellow former players, because they still see me as part of them. We still talk on issues relating to female football. They still love me and share things with me. We are still one big family,” he said.
