Bush Doctor in the City

Love letters

2009-07-10T10:15:00.001-07:00

At last!!!!

My book is out

http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=60169

Dear All,
Absolutely estatic to annouce that my new book- Love Letters is now available.
There would be not need for deep thinking here- it is a romantic comedy.
The package is however novel (excuse the pun). It is an mixture of Pidgin English letters, poems and short stories in standard English. (Orishirishi phenomenon).

The common denominator in all the pieces is that they are funny and they centre around the topic of a Naija Love affair.
Grab your copy!!!

http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=60169

Dr Wilson Orhiunu

Babawilly

Cadbury Fellows Conference 22-5-09

2009-05-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

22-5-09

First things first! Went to Marks and Spencers to queue up for the 5 items at a penny each giveaway. One lady felt dizzy while waiting but rather than go home, she rested on a wall. (Get cheap bargains or die trying! Apologies 50p..em..50 cent).
Got to the first session late (travails of a bargain hunter).
The Internet and new writers from Africa. Chaired by Shola Adenekan (Who actually invited me for this conference) it had the following panellists- Tolu Ogunlesi, Muthoni Garland, Uchenna Izundu and Anietie Isong. In summary, all agreed that the internet is God’s gift to Africa.
Someone in the audience spoke about underground cables bringing broad band internet access to the East and West coasts of Africa which I thought was interesting.
Had to make my exist at this point. I had a date with my patients.
Must say well done to Stewart Brown, David Kerr, Shola Adenekan and the staff at CWAS

Cadbury Fellows Conference 21-5-09

2009-05-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

I attended the 2009 Cadbury Fellows Conference on Thursday May 21st & 22nd. The theme for event was OHUN TITUN: New Directions in African and Caribbean Writing and the event was hosted by the Centre of West African Studies, University of Birmingham.

Cadbury fellows – Christian Campbell, Tolu Ogunlesi and Oumar Farouk Sesay.

21-5-09
I found the session on Post-war Sierra Leonean Literature particularly moving. It was chaired by Jo Skelt and had as panellists Oumar F Sesay, Delia Jarret-Macauly and Prof. Syl Cheney-Coker.
The ‘long day’ ended with the Publishers panel (Publishers present Bibi-Bakare-Yusuf, Cassava Republic Press/ Becky Ayebia Clarke, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd/ Jeremy Poynting, Peepal Tree Press), where we learnt about the challenges facing publishers of Afro-caribbean writing.
Well, that wasn’t where the day ended. We moved en-mass to end the evening at the Syriana Restaurant. Nice food and nice conversation.
Meet Mr Chuma Nwokolo, Jr. who is the publisher of African-writing.com and Prof Femi Oyebode, ( a poet and Psychiatrist based in Birmingham). Also had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Weate and Bibi- Bakare of Cassava Republic press and many other wonderful people.

Oumar Farouk Sesay's Salute to the remains of a peasant

2009-04-29T02:04:00.000-07:00

Introduction- To read Oumar Sesay is to be reminded that, at the end of the day, a poet's duty is not merely to sing about his or her own trials, but to make accomplice all the complex destinies of those around him. - SYL CHENEY-COKER.

From -

You Are

- You are my play rehearsed to be acted on the stage of my life

You are my blooming flower waiting for my wind to waft your pollen

You are :

My love, my life

My life, my love

Salute to the remains of a peasant

PublishAmerica Baltimore

ISBN:1-4241-7388-4

P106

Tolu Ogunlesi & Oumar Sesay

2009-04-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

Had a nice time hosting two writers yesterday. Tolu Ogunlesi (Nigeria) and Poet Oumar Sesay ( Sierra Leone).

I had a very nice time talking about a wide range of topics. Oumar Sesay kindly presented me with a signed copy of his Poetry collection - Salute To The Remains Of A Peasant.

My favourite poem so far is - You are; which was written for his wife Fatima Sesay.

Tribune interview. 27-12-08. 2

2009-02-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Nigerian Tribune interview- 27-12-08. 1

2009-02-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

Birmingham Half Marathon 26-10-08

2008-10-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Birmingham Half Marathon 26-10-08

2008-10-27T12:39:00.001-07:00

Big day yesterday, the first ever EDF sponsored Bham Half Marathon. Still collecting donations towards the Poetry for Charity Project.
http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2996281 Please buy a copy in support. Money raised goes to 3 charities in Nigeria
Praise to God that i finished. Was doubting my hamstrings Saturday night.

In Dependence

2008-10-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

October such a nice month. Nigeria's independence Day on the 1st and my birthday on the 10th. We had independence day celebrations here in Birmingham UK at The Drum on the 4th of October. Was fortunate to meet Sarah Ladipo Manyika there, who read passages from her Novel - In dependence. I did some of my poetry there. October is Black History month in UK and gave a talk at a celebration today organized by Livingwell Community Church and Ishango science Club. Spoke about Africa- 53 countries, 905 million people etc etc etc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/your_community/bhm/ishango.shtml
http://www.sarahladipomanyika.com/

Woman to woman

2008-10-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

New magazine i am currently reading from the House on The Rock. Lagos. Saw my face among the Valentine Ball pictures and surname written correctly! (Feb 2008). Took pic with the Publisher - Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin at the Valentine Ball

Poetry for Charity

2008-10-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2996281

Poetry for Charity.

Please buy this anthology and help raise vital funds for charity in Nigeria.
Also pass link on to others.
The are many inspiring writers in this anthology and it comes highly recommended
Editor - Chiedu Ifeozo

NigerianComedyShowLondon28-6-08

2008-06-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Opened @ the NigerianComedy Show at Porchester Hall, London yesterday. Didn't go as good as I would have liked. This stand comedy sef is too hard jare. I seem to do my best work sitting down.
Ben TV showing repeats of my inetrview on Princess of Arize and I seem to be getting more love from that.
Big up to David Balogun of E & C Ent for putting show together.
Might kuku stick to TV. We shall see. Meet interesting comedians- A. Dot and Okey Bakassi. Also caught up with a Uniben alumni- Ade Harrison who came along to photograph the event
Spain won the European cup tonight! They deserved it on account of their skill displays through out the tournament. Last time they won it was the year I was born. (1964).
As Spain own don bo si, make papa God do my own too. (And your own).

Pslam Twenti

2008-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Psalm Twenti
1.
May Papa God tek yua calls wen yua wata don pass Garri,
may im name corva yu laik corva cloth for harmattan nait.
2.
May Papa God message area angels dem from im parlour to yu,
mek dem Western Unionize yua account with transfer from Zion.
3.
Mek God no forget yua tithes and offering
4.
Mek God gi yu dat thing wey dey hungry yu so, so dat all yua plans go bo si.
5.
We go follo yu halla and jollof wen yua own come betta.
We go carry Papa God name up laik Naija flag for Octoba first.
Mek God ansa all yua praya complete.
6.
I don see say Papa God dey save im persin, dey pick dia calls,
come text back strong strong blessings wit im right hand.
7.
Some put mind for bullet proof moto,
some na dia security guards, but we put all awa mind on top Papa God
8.
Dem fall down yakata! But we denge, dey set laik majestic Iroko inside bush.
9.
Papa God, save yua pickin. We kneel down dey beg, no ansa awa call wit voice message.

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
Babawilly

10-06-08

NigerianComedyShow 20-05-08

2008-05-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Great Show yesterday in London. Took place aboard HMS President (boat built in 1918- talk about a floating Molue!), on the Embarkment.

Head-line act was Basket Mouth from Nigeria. Others include my humble self - Babawilly who openned the show, Babatunde, Tunde Ednut, Wale Gates etc.

Was a very entertaining night out.

Basket Mouth gave a good account of himself and had use all in stitches.

There was also a short talk by Beverley De-Gale of the Afro-Carribean Leukaemia Trust about the importance of having Black Bone Marrow donors

Show was put together by Mr G. David Balogun of E&C Entertainment. London

Next gig 28-6-08/ Porchester Hall, Bayswater. 5pm-10.30pm. Head line Act- Okey Bakassi.

TV interview on Princess of Arize

2008-05-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

Great day it was today. Had interview with Princess 'Deun Adedoyin-Solari on the Princess of arize talk show (Ben TV - Sky 194). Gracious hosts and generous live callers. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Show cased my 'Tiger Woods' dance to Olu Maintain's yahoozee. All fun. Took pictures with Austin Eguavoen (Ex 'Super Eagles supremo' as they say) who was being interviewed for the Sports show imediately after Princess of arize.

Wish I had tickets for the FA cup final over across at Wembley. Kanu did the biz again. Scored the winner.

Up Super Eagles!! Up Naija!!

http://www.zedakahafrika.com/

Asa Sings 2

2008-05-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

By 21:55 hours it was Peace… Yepa! For the ones not yet born. Next came Jailer. The band excelled here. The grove had that kind of infectious bass line that would not have been out of place on a Dr Dre jam. It felt like a big fat juicy beat was walking slowly downstairs with attitude. You just had to stand up and dance (did I just say stand up? This was a no sitting venue, thank God for strong legs!). Jailer when down very well.
The crowd gave mad love. Sang every line..I’m in chains. You’er in chains too…
Beautiful was sang with the skills of a lyrical cardiologist. Straight to our hearts, by- passing ears and brains. The emotive subject of mothers ( on the day following Mothering Sunday) really struck a chord. Asa sings just like an Assassin.
We sang..ntori omo….ti ya ni ile oko. It was so moving.
Next song was announced as the last. No one knows tomorrow. An injection of hope. My take on this was that no matter how bad today is, it can get better tomorrow, so why get depressed about it. (This show had the pharmacological properties of Prozac).
She took a bow and left the stage. Awon boys and girls no belleful o! Few made for the door but I hung around.
The she returned and gave use ‘Jara’. First Eye Adaba, then a song by Nina Simone, before doing Natural Mystic by Bob Marley.
Then we were treated to a freestyle medley of Fire on the mountain, Jailer and ..and… ..Mo ti gba gbe sha! (I cannot remember!) Babawilly was rocking too much to remember anything after that.
Big up to the band.
Janet –Vocals, Rodi on Bass/ Jeff on drums/ Nicola (a White man who i saw him singing a Yoruba chorus!) on guitar/ Didier on key boards.
We were all on a high after the show. Will most definitely go for ‘second round’, ‘third round’ and even ‘fourth round’ when new concert dates are announced.
Did I tell you I won tickets for the show by entering a competition on Gospel tonight with Muyiwa on Premier Radio? Sky TV 968
Well , I have told you now.
Finally big up to Cobham Asuquo who is credited some of the production work on this album. Na you bico!

http://www.myspace.com/asaofficial

http://www.premierradio.org.uk/presenters/muyiwa.aspx

Asa Sings 1

2008-05-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

Asa Sings

Just like an assassin, Asa goes for the heart.

And so, here I am waiting for the show to start. Ben Onono starts off the concert with his song Badagry Beach. The packed room at the Carling Islington Academy went through the motions. They clapped at the end of each song Ben offered, never losing sight of why we were all gathered here in north London on Monday the 12th of May. Well, we came to see Asa and see her we did.
About five minutes past nine she came on. We heard her voice singing the opening lines of 360 Degrees for a few seconds before the spectacled singer walked on stage.
Then the great wrestling match began. Sections of the audience knew every line, every single lyric, every oohh and every aahh of each song. It was reminiscent of the great wrestling match in Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, between Amalinze the Cat and Okonkwo. The fight that was described as the ‘fiercest since the founder of their town engaged a spirit of the wild for seven days and seven nights’.
The audience, which had under gone a metamorphosis into Amalinze, (with me as his eye brow) tried in vain to out sing the singer, but it was all futile. Like a slippery fish, she proved too hard to pin down. We all enjoyed our defeat as it soon became obvious that with Asa, Things Fall Together. She took control and with the aid of her well rehearsed band had us all eating from her hands (on her terms).
360 had that catchy hook, ‘I’ill be waiting’ initially used by Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry in their 1994 smash hit- 7 Seconds, a song which sat at No 1 for 16 consecutive weeks in the French charts at the time. The whole audience would let rip every time Asa led us down that road, ‘I’ill be waiting!’
This became a pattern all night long; all of the songs had a part which everyone joined in.
Asa oozed star quality, and it was nothing to do with make up or clever lighting. She exhibited that rare quality of someone whose spirit was big enough to reach out and touch others. Soon the whole show blurred into one unique and pleasurable experience. Her next song, Subway had all singing, ‘My mama say baby be careful, if anybody tells you I love you ohh oh..’. I just cannot get that tune out of my head. And I wasn’t the only one. After the show as we trooped down to the London underground, those who had just left the show were easily identified. They hummed or sang with a spring in their step. It was like taking drugs (not that I know anything about that).
Fire on the Mountain (My favourite) was dropped next. I thought of when I stood on Kilimanjaro in all its 5,895m of glory. I became a child again, running and singing in primary school- ‘there is fire on the Mountain, run, run ,run!’ It was so liberating. I began to get that feeling of being in a group therapy session. No seats, little lights, everyone standing cosily close, too close if you ask me, as I found my hands accidentally striking the softer parts of the female anatomy as the dancing got hectic. In the end I had to lift my two hands up and jump. I digress. The song was done well.
I felt Bob Marley, Fela and Nina Simone come to life all in one go; in the vocal chords of Asa. I thought of the similar grooves on Gabrielle’s –When a Woman. It was Things Falling Together with Asa. Her songs, to borrow the words of Chief Zebrudaya, ‘penetration deep down to ludricate whiter’. Almost like the washing of the soul with that sweet detergent of music, the cleansing of debris off the brain’s memory cells with the pure flowing waters emanating from a truly gifted conduit; the ultimate brain-washing.
Then came a song about the virtues of telling the truth. E ro o da…..the song went. This song was not on the album.

Two ladies went on stage to sing with her. Prior to that, she had teased her audience rotten by asking for volunteers to join her on stage.
I got flash backs to primary school, when we all struggled with outstretched hands to tell the teacher the answer. ‘Me teacher. Me!’. We all had hands up in the air. ‘Me Asa, me!’.
I found her comic timing impeccable. She was funny with talent, with none of that verbose slap stick ‘gra gra’ that passes as comedy nowadays. She communicated well with the crowd. It was a joy to see. Her use of language and facial expressions was excellent. She didn’t just fill the stage, but filled the whole venue.
Next was Awe. The wrestling started again. As she built up to start the song (with the story of a boy and his lover), the audience could wait no longer and started having fits of premature singing (for want of a better word). ‘Awe!’

Babavroom on The Poetry Digest

2008-04-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Magazine to be launched in May 2008 in Nigeria by Kifayah abdulQuadri - Publisher of The Poetry Digest. Nigeria. More details to follow...

Babavroom in Wembley 3

2008-04-05T13:41:00.001-07:00

(Trust me, this picture is really Kanu on the ball).

Was quite excited to watch Kanu in the flesh after years of television viewing. He is indeed a one off. He didn’t look or move like a world class athlete. He limped slightly as he ran with hunched shoulders. His speed looked like he might have been playing golf or something. But when the ball gets to his large feet, a miracle seemed to take place. He becomes transformed into a magical talent. Defenders all stop and stare like they are spectators. They all just watch as if hypnotised. His feet move to a different rhythm. One he hears in his soul. Kanu does not play football. He performs miracles.

First Half.

West Brom out played Portmouth completely but lacked decisiveness up front. Too many passes and not enough shooting. Sol Campbell and Slyvian Distin were outstanding in defence for Portsmouth.

Second Half

Kanu scored on the 54^th minute and got substituted at 80 minutes. I read that he is 31 years old (I say no more).

It was a shame West Brom didn’t win though, as they practically did most of the running.

All that remains now is finding tickets for the finals.

Babavroom in Wembley 2

2008-04-05T13:35:00.001-07:00

Nice drive down the M6/M1. Impressive looking Stadium.

Wonderful atmosphere. The fans sat at opposite ends of the stadium and booed each time an opponents name was mentioned on the public address system.

Was really entertaining. Even had my picture taken with the West Brom Mascot.

The pitch was real quality as was the public address system.

Babavroom in Wembley 1

2008-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Went to the new Wembley for the first time today.

Was the Semi-finals of the FA cup between West Bromwich Albion (Kanu’s former club) and Portsmouth (Kanu’s present club).

In Birmingham the big three clubs are Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

Invited by Godfrey, a friend from church, who drove.

Medical Article YAWA

2008-03-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Long post but I will explain. Wrote an article for a mag in Lagos which was deemed inadequate by the Editor. Our recent mails below. I took umbrage in his remark that article does not appear to be written by a Doctor. Perhaps he expected to see words like Endoscopic retrograde Cholangio-pancreatography. I think this is symptomatic of the Nigerian idea that Doctor should 'fire' big voluminous words to justify their degrees.
I have posted the said article lower down.
What do you think?

HE SAYS

Dear Doc,

I got your text. Sorry I’m replying this late…so much to do and I am in Abuja for a conference.

I received your article.

I have a couple of problems with it. Firstly, I find that a lot of what is contains is readily available to anyone who can browse the web. It doesn’t read like something written by a medical doctor. While I am not saying that it should have read like a page from a medical periodical, it still doesn’t have the strength of an article by a qualified medical practitioner.

I cannot use this article as it is.

To move on, I would like you to rewrite this by picking anyone of the ideas you; sent let see how it goes with other your idea.

Just let me know what you’ve picked.

Cheers.

REPLY

My brother, we may have to end our correspondence here o.

That was 4 hours of work. I value my time at £ 80 an hour.
You say the article does not look written by a medical Doctor- well, how many non medics know what immunisations are required in the tropics.
I could write an article that you would not understand - but with the public- communication is the key.
That is my style.

Will definitely not re write.

Thanks for communication and all the best with you mag.
Will pass on article to someone else

Dr Wilson Orhiunu

ARTICLE

Five things to do and not to do in 2008 to improve your health
By
Dr Wilson Orhiunu
MBBS. FRCS.FRCSI.DRCOG. MRCGP
Dr Wilson Orhiunu is a writer and General Practitioner in Birmingham UK and also Academy and reserve team Doctor with Birmingham City Football Club.

Five things to do.
1.
Exercise
Physical activity lasting 20 minutes three to four times a week is will produce health benefits. The type of exercise engaged in will be a factor of experience, age, general health and perhaps socio-economic factors.
Walking however is one of the most cost effective ways of acquiring fitness. Training is not required and all that is required is a good pair of trainers. As fitness improves more strenuous forms of exercise could be engaged in. Membership of a well- equipped gym is beneficial.
Benefits of exercise
Exercise reduces the chances of death in previously healthy people and in those with heart disease and diabetes
Exercise also reduces the chance of developing various illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Strokes, Cancer and Depression.
Psychological benefits also abound. There is an improvement in self esteem associated with fitness. The improved strength, power, agility and endurance provides a self -confidence that impacts positively on mental well being.
2. Watch your caloric intake
Eating in moderation with reduce the chances of developing Obesity and its complications such as heart disease, diabetes, lethargy, low self esteem and joint problems.

3. Have a positive mental attitude
A positive attitude to life will reduce stress. Thought processes in times of stress are usually of a poor quality and will hamper problem solving.
Tips for improving our attitude include
- Having ‘complaining fasts’- go 2 weeks without complaining about anything . If things need changing, do so but don’t complain.
- Laugh daily
- Avoid those who also complain or never make you laugh.
- Be content.
-
4. Relax
Sleep daily. 7 to 8 hours should be adequate for most adults but individual requirements vary. A good night will boast your immune system and improve both concentration and cognition. Tired people usually don’t look or feel their best (hence the term beauty sleep), so get more sleep and look great.
Apart from sleep, other ways of relaxing could be through listening to music, physical intimacy loved ones, having a massage or watching comedy or drama programmes.

5. Have a yearly medical check up
Depending on where you live and where you intend to visit, make sure you are up to date with your immunisations. Discuss with your Doctor about a Typhoid, Meningitis, Tetanus, and Hepatitis vaccine. Make sure you had childhood immunisations- Diptheria, Pertusis and Polio and the Measles , Mumps and Rubella vaccines.
As part of a health check up your Doctor will usually check your blood pressure, weight and height (to estimate your BMI; Body mass Index) and run a few laboratory tests such a Full blood count for anaemia, liver and kidney functions and a glucose level to exclude diabetes. Men above 50 years of age may require a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) to screen for Prostate Cancer. Cardiac screening will include an ECG and Echocardiography were indicated

Five things not to do

Smoke
Stopping smoking prolongs your life. In 24 hours the body is rid of the poisonous Carbon monoxide gas obtained from cigarette smoke and in 1 and 10 years the risks of heart attacks and lung cancer are halved respectively

Unprotected sex
HIV, Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections are be prevented by use of a condom or abstinence

Drive above the speed limits – Speed kills. Always have your seat belt on and never drive after a drink of alcohol.
Take drugs or excessive alcohol – Recreational drugs such as Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin are harmful to the body and mind. Excessive alcohol ( above 21 units and 14 units a week for men and women respectively) is also harmful.
Engage in self sabotage
Avoid activities that damage your body or mind. Doing all things in moderation is a good rule

Babawilly in Lagos 6

2008-03-04T14:04:00.001-08:00

21-02-08. 9am
Where has all the time gone! Flying home tonight. Need to use my laptop in Birmingham so off to the computer place in Ikeja to buy my computer power cable. A kind of silicon valley. Nay. Valley of the dead. Nay , Valley of the dead but resurrected computers from Europe. Mai people come see pirated soft wear nyanfu nyanfu.Bought power cable and Tokunbo hand set. Had to take photographs but man dey fear to point camera. Had my camera on and held at waist level. I just dey snap dey go. Beng beng beng! I just dey go. Sebi if e no good I go delete.

22.20 hours Airbourne on KLM Flight 588. See blessings o! four seats to mai self. Ah, see as I stretch dey enjoi. Little did I know say witches and devil no happy as I dey enjoi First class leg stretch on economy ticket.
22-2-08. 05.15 hours
Land Amsterdam . Ah, I say make I go find duty free chocolate for loved ones. Na there the witches stud me o.
9.00 hours – Arrived Birmingham. Collected luggage and was on my way out when the ‘sniffer dog’ jumped on my hand luggage barking. Mai people , na chocolate hungry am?
Na so the woman dey question me rudely and me sef fire back. Me wey no smoke or drink for Lagos. As I answer back now, the woman see say im no fit intimidate me, so e begin search o. Me wey buy twenty pata go Lagos so dat I go dey change and no wash anyone- na me she commot all my dorti pata dey look for public, dey find drugs. Shame wey catch me eh?
Na so people dey pass dey look me corner eye. Dem go dey think say, ‘Eh, dis one wey dey read Bible inside plane, so na drgs im carry’.
The devil is a lair. I don put in letter of complaint to Custom. Wo, even if na Hague, we go reach there. God no go let dem disgrace persin. Nonsense and ingredients!!!!

Babawilly in Lagos 5

2008-03-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

19-02-08. 2pm

Had interview on Wazobia 95.1 FM . A Cool FM initiative aiming to develop indigenous programmes promoting Nigerian culture. Met Mr Ibrahim Abubakar (Head of Programmes ; Cool FM) in his office for a brief chat (joined by Emem who arranged interview) before being introduced to the delightful Matse Uwatse- a presenter quite good at speaking Pidgin English. On getting to the studio I met Jumoke, also a presenter, and we were soon on air. Spoke in pidgin throughout and had a few callers ring in to say they enjoyed my pidgin verses. Wazobia 95.1 play only Naija music

Babawilly in Lagos 4

2008-03-04T13:53:00.000-08:00

17-2-08. 10.30am
House on the Rock morning service at Muson centre. Chai! I late. Got the CD of service though.
After church went to Tasties and then to Terra Kulture to meet with Laspapi- Wole Oguntokun; the Olorogun of Drama and Theatre. Watched a play- Angel written by Dr Ahmed Yerima and directed by Wole. Not watched a play in ages and I needed to adjust. Soon got into the flow. Mai people, Nepa no disappoint. During a sensitive scene in which a widow was conversing with the Ghost of her dead husband, Nepa take light. Silence and darkness followed. When the generator came on , the crying and acting resumed. I say Naija na tough place!
After play walked around Terra Kulture. Was nice to view their bookshop and art exhibitions.

18-2-08. 8am.
Ahhhh!!!!! Power surge. My laptop computer and mobile phone fuses don blow o! Who I go sue?

Babawilly in Lagos 3

2008-03-04T13:49:00.001-08:00

16-2-08
7pm. Left for Eko Hotel to attend Silverbird’s an audience with P-squared, sponsored by Cell-tell. Good show. D Banj, Wande Cole and some others dey perform. Some sang and some inflicted vicious decibels on us. The bouncers at the door eh! See muscles. I get ticket but I still fear to pass door. As I enter dem hand me toothbrush and Close up toothpaste. Chai! Abi mai mouth dey smell? I ask o. Dem say na dem be co-sponsor so dem must give everybody product. Mai mind settle. Virgin cola sef sponsor but their own na to line fine babes with tiny red shorts dey waka up and down dey give person Virgin Cola and Virgin Orange. Wetin concern hot pants and minerals? Remain small na Virgin condoms dem for dey give out.
Anyway, MCs for night were Wild child (you again!) and Koffi. They did well.
P-square come enter. Mai people see dance. Omo, na value for money (for those wey pay enta).
See craze. Four Lepa babes wey follow dem dance eh, dem get nuclear reactor for dem waist. Ah ah. Na radio active shaking dem do oh. I say make every woman hold im man tight for dis Lagos oh!
Soon audience members posed questions to Paul and Peter (P –squared). But which kain name be that? No be nursery rhyme of two birds sitting on the wall be dat?
Some of the more interesting questions-
Why pack a Hummer in-front of a rented apartment?
Answer- ‘If it was rented will I be knocking down walls to build a studio. Would I be digging a swimming pool in the back? The house cost 51 million Naira. Our lastest CD sold one million copies in six days’.
I am 8 months pregnant. Would you attend my child’s first birthday?
Answer – ‘Yes’.
Me I fear o. Pregnant woman come rock with us. I no dey duty o!
How do I appear on your next video?
Answer- ‘Come to the back and leave your number with our manager’. Shame no dey o. Remain small sef, me for go back stage and hand over mai number make I go pose for video.
When will you get married?

Answer- Not yet.
Can you two sit on me?

Answer- ‘Yes’. Na so the girl waka on stage them sit on am dey sing. Etc etc etc.

Best song for me was temptation. With its catchy tune- Pom pom pom- pom pom/ pom pom/ pom pom. This na temptation, with a little confusion..
Sounds like the defence of a law maker arrested by EFCC when quizzed on why he stole so much government funds.
In the end we had to leave. Ah, lets not forget. We were told to feel under our seats. Omo, dem sellotape New P-squared CD as gift. Not for everyone though. You sabi as some people dey get bad luck. God forbid.
Moral of the story - next time in a show in Nigeria, go early and check under all the seats!

Babawilly in Lagos 2

2008-03-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

16-02-08. 11.30am

Off to the British Council for WAPI event (words and pictures). Event put together by Emem (formerly of the music group KUSH). I read a few poems and the first of my Dear My Sister letters. Received quite good and constructive comments.
2pm-
Gave a power point presentation on Love. Was well received. Recycled a joke I heard the previous night. Goes like this- Na bank name men dey take name woman these days.
If she big na oceanic. If e Lepa and agile na Spring. If e faithful na Fedelity and if im ready for love whatever time of day or night na Access. If im papa Dutch and im mama Yoruba , na Intercontinental, if she be prayer warrior wey sabi cover you on every side- physically, spiritually and emotionally she be Central Bank. If she marry you den go find four other wives from Ghana, Angola, Liberia and Libya, na United Bank of Africa.
Is she no tief your moni na guarantee trust bank. If she dey small cute and summarised, na micro-finance bank. Went down well.
Sold and signed copies of my book- My Time. Met many nice people. Left about 5pm.

Babawilly in Lagos 1

2008-03-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

Babawilly in Lagos 1

11.2.08. 09:45.

Take off! Bound for Lagos via Amsterdam on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight 1422.
13:15 hrs we leave Schipol Airport on a different plane. I prayed that my luggage was still with me. Last time I flew KLM the crew sprayed the cabin with a toxic spray (?Insecticide). I almost choked. Thank God, there was no repeat of that torture by aerosol spray this time around. Had 3 seats to myself, i spread out like I was in first class. One babe was just looking at me. Small time she stand, ‘can you watch my bag while I go to the loo’ she talk. I nodded. Sebi I be 40,000 feet maiguard abi? She think say armed robbers dey here?
Went through in-flight entertainment and found World music. Femi Kuti dey there dey represent we. Imagine that. Beng beng beng! Which kain Viagra music be that sef.
Small time Dutch pilot dey tell us weather and temperature in Lagos. Persin gat to tell this people say na only one thing we wan know. Light dey abi e no dey!
The air hostess even get liver to tell us say – in the event of an emergency landing on water , you will find life jackets under your seats…God forbid! Na you and who wan go follow mammy water play for ocean. I almost abuse the hostess sef.
Them bring drink. ‘Coke please’ I talk. Na holy communion dem give guys. She just turn tiny coke into plastic cup. E no even full. Dis woman no know say na two cans I dey drink?
Them bring rice, I chop. No Dodo. No moin moin. Abi make I begin sing for dem..oni dodo oni moin moin…
Small time we land Lagos. Best flight I have had to date.
But why should I pay 100 Naira to use the trolley in Muritala Mohammed airport when e free for Birmingham and Amsterdam? Na one sisi even dash mi the 100 Naira as na only pounds I get. (Executive begging!)
Soon we land for Okota na im one useless mosquito hail, ‘New blood don come o!’
‘Your papa!’ na im I take reply am.

11-2-08

Off to Victoria Island to see friends. Everything going so well, cannot even remember what happened. Few things I can remember are going to banks, going to Frenchies, ringing and texting many (Glo chop my money o), eating and drinking.

15-2-08
Attended Valentine Ball organised by House on the Rock Church at the Muson Centre. Got there about 7.30pm. Omo, come see Red everywhere like Red sea. Remain small the Red carpet for divide make I waka pass.
Nice evening it was.
MC for night included Wild Child and one comedian so. Good performances all round. West African Idol winner, Timi sang.
Pat Utomi spoke about his charity work with widows which was quite inspiring.
Dem bring jollof, I chop.
Then we danced. Mai people, na so the dance carry me o. Everybody hail. Pastor Paul Adefarasin come carry blender give me as the Olorogun of dancing. E no easy.
One guy propose to im babe (in public ke!). The guy get liver o! She said yes, so risk paid off.
My friend Enate wey carry me go come release poem to im waif of 12 years. From nowhere cake appear. Im come recite poem. When e finish, me sef nak another poem. Was very touching.
We got home 12.30am but excitement no gree us sleep. Na so so gist.

Psalm 37 for the fretful

2007-12-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37 for the fretful

Hold liver when Yahoozee guys hammer
No jealous dem
Laik Dongoyaro leaves for Harmattan
EFCC go blast dem complete

Put mind for Papa God
Live, dey enjoi for Obodo Planet Earth

Shake bodi for Papa God
Den im go give yu dat thing yu dey find

Give yua waka to Papa God
Trust am
Like sun wey appear quick for morning
Na so yua land case go solve

Stop gra gra, relax
Make liver no fail when guys hammer
no share reach you,
when dem use wayo to take make am

Coolu temper
no dey shake
Bad pipo dem, God don cut dia light
But pipo wey put mind for Papa God
Dem go inherit dis land

Smol time reach
bad pipo varnish
Like teeth for old man mouth
You find dem, you no see

Meek pipo nko
I say dem inherit plenti plots with no yawa added

Bad pipo plan bad for di righteous
God dey laff dem laik comedy show
As im don calculate bad pipo demise

Wicked pipo pull bulala
gun and machete, to finis poor man
To annihilate di righteous dem
But bulala tail go blind dia eyes
Dia gun go explode inside dia pocket

One pomon of righteous
Sweet pass bad pipo carviar
Di wicked dey claim champion, but Holy Ghost fire burn dem complete
I say Papa God helep carry di righteous shoulder up

Papa God sabi all di days of im pickins dem
dia inheritance na from lai lai to lai lai
Wen kasali burst, dem dey pa
Wen Owu dey blow, na life dem dey chop

Wick pipo yamutu;
Papa God enemies;
all laik beautiful flower wey acid fall on top’
dem all go varnish

Wicked pipo buy market no wan pay
Righteous dey tip borku
Pipo with good head go inherit acres
Dem wey God swear for, go chop sand

If Papa God laik yua waka
E go make yua leg strong kakaraka
Yu fit stumble o, but yu no go land yakata for ground
Papa God take hand wedge you

I suck breast as bomboi
And now everywhere na grey hair
Yet I no see Papa God fashie di righteous
I say I no see dia pickin dey beg garri for road

As good pipo do for pipo
Na so Papa God do for dia pickins

Coommot eye from bad, do good
Make yua leg strong for town

Papa God love good pipo
E no go forget im faithful pickins
E go protect dem from lai lai to lai lai

Bad pipo tori don wowo
Yet righteous inherit land
Dey live forever

Righteous open mouth,
we hear betta word
Im tongue yarn balanced tori

As Bible full im bele
im leg no trap for poto poto

Bad pipo set trap
Dem wan kill di righteous
God forbid dat plan to succeed
God forbid make wicked call righteous guilty

I say no do gra gra
Waka di one wey God direct

He go lift yua head make you inherit land,
wen bad pipo dey deported
Yu go take yua two eye see am

I see wicked man dey shine
Dey laik Iroko with deep roots
Fiam! Im yamutu commot
Like fifty Kobo note, I find am , I no see

Dey look righteous, dey look laik Lucozade
Dia future bright well well

Sinners dem go dey destroyed
Dia future don get Kobo-leg

Salvation of di righteous, na from Papa God
Im hide dem wen kata kata manifest

Papa God helep dem, deliver dem
I say im save dem from wicked pipo
Bicos why?
Di righteous dey laik refugee for Papa God belle

God almighty, na you bico!!!

Dr Wilson Orhiunu

Babawilly

16-12-07

Victor Joggai Appeal

2007-11-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

Victor Joggai appeal

I found this appeal on the 6-10-07 edition of the Saturday Vanguard written by Mr Fred Iwenjora.
Please send donations to
Diamond Bank. Broad Street.
Acct- ECWA. Yaba.
No – 0562010004154
Ref Donation for Victor’s Bone Marrow Transplant

Blues 3- 2 Wigan

2007-10-27T23:33:00.000-07:00

Home came at St Andrews yesterday. Went as a spectator (as I only work with the Academy + Reserves and not the first team).

Na wa for loyalty. I been don warn my Naija friend wey follow me go say as na Bham area we siddon, make im pinch me hard (as a joy deterrant) if Julius Agharowa score against us come do twenty soumersaults. Make persin no go hail o. Na so so warm up the guy dey do for touch line. He came on with about 10 minutes left and didn't score, so my resolv went untested.

As i no get zoom lens make una look this picture with the eye of Faith. Na Julius really dey between awa two defenders (No 5 and 6) there! Guess what I what for Christmas. Card ko , card ni.

For those not into football- Two teams are called Blues. Birmingham ; the real owners of the name and Chelsea (make I no talk anything about dem as I like Drogba).

Psalm 35 for the Financially Challenged

2007-10-23T06:07:00.001-07:00

Psalm 35 for the financially challenged

Babawilly pray say….
Papa God, wund dem, wey wan wund mi !
Papa God, wear yua suit, carry yua brief case
Carry yua investment portfolio follow mi go meeting
Carry yua cheque book take finis all mai creditors.
Yarn mai soul say ‘I am yua Okada out of trouble’.

Baff dem wey wan kill mi.
Baff dem wit disgrace and shame.
Laik blom blow for wind, make angel pursue dem.
Make dem take dia white and white land yakata for poto poto
make yua angel pepper dem o!

I no beg for credit card, dem trap mi
I no ask for ‘buy now pay next year’.
But dem dig debt hole make I falli put.
Fiam! Yawa overtake dem
Fiam! Dia trap chop dia ankle
Fiam! Dia debt hole swallow dem.
Na dat time I go bubble in yua Holy Name.
Belle go dey sweet mi say you balance creditors all mai debt.
From bottom belle I throway salut.
Ta lo da bi re
Where you dey, who born monkey?
Na who but you go dash poor man?
Na who but you go protect poor tenant from wicked landlord?
Na who go protect suffer man from armed robbers?

Babawilly come pray say…….

Wicked people say make I pay for market I no buy
I give dem Eba chop dem take poison repay
I taya for mai life!
When dem no get, I lend dem moni.
I even fast and pray join
I sad for dem laik na mai Mama get di problem.
But now wey I owe, dem dey laugh
Dem join hand against me
People I no sabi, dem dey send me bill
with red ink everywhere
People yab! But moni yab pass!

Papa God, how long you go dey sidon look?
Ah ah! Rescue mi now!
Ah ah! Protect mi from di lions dem!
Na dat time I go come yua compound come praise you.
Even sef I go praise you on top AIT and CNN join.

No let dem do parti say I yamutu.
Make bad belle no laff mai tears
Dia mouth bad
Dia dagger dey find innocent Naija blood
Dem say I do di one I no do
Dem say na for dia kro-kro eye
Chineke se you dey see?
Talk put now. Bico no delay laik Dele.
Wake up o!
Transfer Kudi into mai account.
Yarn dem say I no owe moni
No do make dem fit talk for belle say
dem go suck mai blood finis
Take disgrace sew fine cloth for mai enemies
Take dishonour do dia cap

Papa God, bless dem wey helep mi get mai wealth
Make dia mouth do liak CD wey spoil
Just dey talk say ‘Great is di Lord, Great is di Lord wey dey enjoi
to dey bless im boi-boi dem’.
Na dat time I go do Amebo dey tell everi bodi tori
of di moni transfer wey you do for mi.
Papa God, I go hail you a thousand Gbosa all day long.
And I go hide inside the jeans wey you wear
As dem never born di tief wey go pick yua pocket.

Babawilly

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
27-01-2006

Before this YEAR is over

2007-10-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Before this Year is over
(Millionaire’s Forum Anthem)

Before this year is over
I’m gonna be a ‘naire
Millionaire
Millionaire
Oh my God!
My Fortunes’ here

Millionaire
Millionaire
Can you see!
My wealth is near

Amazing change
I had a Honda
Now I’m chilling out
In my Zonda

Used to run late
Gazing at Timex
Now turning up first
In my Rolex

Got rid
of the family car
The new Lear jet
Is taking me far

Oh my God!
I’m writing big cheques
The dog’s now two
And I bought him a Lex

The bank manager’s
too early for the meeting
he’s doing the lawn
While I am shaving

It’s all good
And I’m loving this life
Sunday at church
Securicor van for my tithes

Next year
I believe for increase
Billionaire status
Angels will release

With a hammer
Babawill’s on the case
Crack that dam
Break through’s in the place

Millionaire
Millionaire
Oh my God!
My fortunes here

Millionaire
Millionaire
Can’t you see
My wealth is near

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
Babawilly

16-10-07

Borrow-Borrow make me fine

2007-10-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Loans and mortgages have been the down fall of many. Borrow-borrow make me fine as a life style, while efficacious in the short term usually leaves a bitter after taste in the long run.
I was warned as early as in nursery school about the perils of borrowing but I no gee learn.
I think it was between the Samco chocolate drinks and the sugar coated puff-puff that our teacher spoke of Cinderella. Yes the first credit card beauty. (Fairy God mother, Visa, American Express, same difference).
She got her groove on via credit and at 12 mid night it was pay back time. Has designer clothes turned to rags. Don’t be deceived by the banks who rigged the story and gave it a happy ending. Na lie. Prince charming found a glass shoe left behind and tried it on all the babes in town before finally settling on Cinderella’s feet and falling in love with her.
(Could it be this part of the story that poisoned my young mind with a girl’s shoe fetish?). I say na lie. Borrowing clothes can never lead to royalty via marriage.
If the above wasn’t enough, during my literature classes in secondary school, we read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Here again we read of the tortoise who did an R Kelly and went to a feast in the sky with the birds. How you ask? He took loans. Feathers from each bird. He winked at madam as he flapped his borrowed wings, screamed ‘I’m bringing sexy back’ and flew. His father didn’t teach him that all loans had a life span. To cut the story short, he adopted a nick name of ‘All of you’ and when the host set the table and announced that the food was for ‘all of you’, the tortoise eat the whole lot to the chagrin of his creditors.
Each bird took back their feathers and the stranded tortoise begged for someone to tell his wife to put all the soft mattresses in the garden to cushion his fall from the sky. (Those were the days before text messaging). The bad belle Parrot then and told the wife to bring out all the metal objects. The poor creature saw the activities from the skies and smiled. He couldn’t see clearly. (No satellite pictures sef). He landed and fractured his shell so badly his genes were affected and subsequently all tortoises born had cracked up shells (Origin of Species ko. Origin of Species ni).
The moral of the story is don’t borrow!
This whole line of thinking was triggered by the local Porshe dealership who invited me to try one of their cars for 24 hours.
‘Which one would you like sir?’ them ask.
I no kuku know the name of any. In the end I took a Boxster. Costs £46,000 no change. Omo., if them try am for Lagos, the car go dey Ghana is three minutes.
I had always felt a two seated car was selfish. People may need lifts and where pickin go siddon. My people na lie. Okada no be two seater car? (There are many definitions of the word car).
Another problem I had with sports cars is that though I live in the UK and drive on UK roads, the memory of Lagos port holes still dey my brain. Some of those pot holes fit swallow the whole Porshe car sef. That’s why if them hammer for Lagos, first dem go Hummer (Yahoozeee).
But I no dey live for Naija now?
Anyway, when I sat in the ‘cockpit’ of the car come put fire, for the first time I understood the meaning of horse power. That thing dey run. Come see how people dey look me. Small time I blast ‘wetin dey’ dey jolly. At one stage sef e bi laik say na me be James Bond sef.
My people, I say God forbid Okada o!. If only two persins wan ride, na side by side for sports car dem suppose dey.
Problem dey sha. The car low and my hips dey cramped. The boot for front and back no fit hold pass 2 small yams and quarter bag of garri. We never talk of rice. If pickins wan commot, how I go chose the one pickin wey go ride with me. You sabi say if you vex pickin, when you old come die, na Geisha sandine them go serve for yua funeral. I no send.
Like Cinderella, my time was up and I go return motor, but I knack picture with am sha.
This morning my neighbour appear.
‘Where’s your new car?’ im ask dey fear say armed robbers done get Visa from Naija come Birmingham
‘I had it only for 24 hours. A test drive’ I answer. The man squeeze face.
‘I thought you bought it. I was looking to going out on a spin in it with you’ im come talk.
See im face. So if I dey find person to ‘spin’ inside my £46,000 motor (abeg convert to Naira), na man I go carry? See im head like spin.
No yawa. For 24 hours at least Borrow borrow made me fine.

One thing dey about car sha. No matter how e fine reach, like horse ,when you reach house you go leave am outside as e no fit enta bed with you. Na make love dey inside the house persin need. But if you no get Porshe and you no get love. Chai. Na only Jesus can save you!

St Andrews Stadium

2007-10-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first match @ St Andrews. Was quite impressive. Our reserve team defeated West Ham's 3-1. West Ham took thier goal so well though. I say man pickin wan shout to hail them (West Ham) na im I come remember say no be TV I dey watch and na Birmingham uniform i wear. Even sef na Birmingham dug out I sidon. Man gat to control myself.

All good. Grass so smooth you could sleep on it. Usually our (reserves ) games are in a smaller joint in Solihull but as many first player play yesterday na im dem let us use Stadium.

1-0 to the Blues

2007-09-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

Good day last saturday. 15-09-07.

U16s & U18s of Birmingham City FC both defeated the corresponding teams from Crystal Palace FC; 1-0. Owo me lo la fin j'eba. One Kondo!

From there (Bham City training ground) it was straight to the main joint - St Andrews. For the 1-0 defeat of Bolton FC.

Diouf was a real character. He infuriated the home crowd (us) and his every move was booed.

He went for a corner kick and the monkey chants started. (I remembered I was still in England). Kick racism out of football ko, kick racism out of Ludo ni.

The impressive thing about Diouf is that he improves with the booing.

Anelka was a bit quiet for Bolton.

Its all good.

Dear My Sister 10 (The End)

2007-09-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister 10 (THE END)
Dear My Sister,
How bodi? Kasala don burst for mai street o! God forbid September 11.
But bifor I enta yawa tori make I nak you romantic yarns. I do spare key of mai Omoge flat wey she no know, den I go buy measures of red carpet from store. Meanwhile I take the day off o. Na so I construct red carpet from her drive way all the way to the side of her bed. Na so I dey sweat as I dey work. You sabi say I don become reformed Workaholic and an evolving Lepa-holic. Na Michael Jackson I sing sing as I dey work with the Stanley knife.
Uh mai Lepa
You gat mi working day and night.
I digress.

COMING OUT AS A BOOK SOON. SORRY FOLKS!

Yours truly crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister 9

2007-09-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister 9
Dear My Sister,
Life is good. Summer time is beautiful. The leaves look green and the sky is adorned in a majestic blue garment. Mai Infiniti jeep dey kampe and I have got Will Smith’s Summer time blasting from my speakers. You see mai sister, mai Omoge loves Will Smith and so must I. I have watched I-robot about 8 times so far. You see, mai Omoge is very spiritual. She says seeing all those robots marching in unison takes her to the Valley of Dry Bones. You sabi now. Ezekiel 37. She come prophesy say as those robots dey waka, na so all the dry bones and dead dreams for mai life go stand up begin waka. I gat to open one eye as we dey pray to make sure say she dey alright.

COMING OUT AS A BOOK SOON. SORRY FOLKS!

Yours truly crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister 8

2007-09-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister 8
Dear My Sister,
Back in and back in trouble! I note your silly text; what is the state of my heart? How would I know? Ask my cardiologist. Na she tief my heart go and its locked in a bank vault somewhere in Switzerland beyond the claws of EFCC. I even hear say dem don loss di key and duplicate copy no dey.

COMING OUT AS A BOOK SOON. SORRY FOLKS!

Yours truly crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister 7

2007-09-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister 7
Dear My sister,
Sorry for the break up in communication. Hope mama is enjoying her time in Houston. It has been 2 months since my last letter.
Love is still in the air but so is money. Mai sister, I don hammer laik MC Hammer. I say I don hammer sotey awon boys for Jand dey call mi West Ham.
When God wan bless persin e dey bi laik joke. My Omoge tell mi say im dream say I dey plane dey go do deal. Few hours later mai friend, Nate, you sabi am now. Di one for Las Gidi. Im talk say make I follow am go China go buy cutlery.I come say we go fifty di investment costs and fifty di profit. Im gree. Wetin concern mi. Na so I enta plane commot.
We come join moni for di deal. You see, one hotel wan replace cutlery for all dia branches for Niaja and mai friend win di contract but im no sabi Knife and fork matter, na im take holla im longa throat friend; yours truly. (Abi no mi mi write Ukodo tonight?)
When we reach factory now, dem ask which brand name make dem put for cutlery. Mi I say Babawilly quick quick. Mai friend come talk say no man go gree im woman put spoon wey dem call babawilly for mouth. I come vex eh. See how we argue name of awa brand for one hour.
In di end, Chinese man settle us. Im say make we combine name. NateWill Cutlery na im we choose. Mai sister as soon as big people chop with awa cutlery dem begin beg hotel for awa details. Di rest as dem dey talk, na history.

WORKING ON BOOK FOLKS!!

Your brother crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister 6

2007-09-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister 6
Dear My sister,
I met my prospective fada in law for di first time last week. Despite intense preparations it was such an agonising experience. Ah-ah. E bi laik Dentist with dorti hand dey pull out 16 teeth from mai mouth without anaesthetic. Di man nearly vote mi out laik big brother, but I serve a God who never fails.
But before I give you that tori, make I digress. Which kain e- mail you send mi. Dey talk say you sef laik J the footballer. You no dey shame? A whole married woman. You even get di liver and the audacious venturesomeness to talk say if mai Omoge no laik di plenty flower wey J send, make we send am to you. My broad in law no fit buy you flower? Abi na vegetable soup you wan take am cook? Carry go ojare.
Ehen, di morning of di historic meeting , mai prospective moda in law don flash mi (di stingy woman), na im I return her call. Na she and im husband fly into London 2 nights ago. She yarn mi say her husband go gi mi tough time (as my Lepacious beauty na di Agbalumo of his eyes) but make I no worry. She promise mi complete immunity and protection. She even talk say if di man no gree mi marry dia daughter , she gaan go divorce di man.

WORKING ON BOOK FOLKS

Your brother crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister 4

2007-08-28T16:51:00.001-07:00

Dear Mai Sister 4
Dear My Sister,
Panic not. Ah-ah. Can’t you take a joke? Just because I mentioned poison you then carry go mention to Mama. Now di woman dey mai haus. She arrive from Las Gidi yesterday. Now I no fit dey go on dates laik before. Mama say na 1 year Visa dem give am. My sister, Mama go come play with you smol o for Texas bicos mi, I no send o.Mai relationship dey sensitive stage and mi I need quality time with my love.
Na you and yua big mouth cause dis panic. Now mama say na mi muss to buy her ticket as na mi frighten di family into sending her down to look her son. Na you go pay mai sister. Na you cause panic. Anyway make we no argue.
Dem don sack mi from Sunday teacher work o. Na mai fault sha. Na Memory verse scandal some people dey call am. You see, Pastor talk make everybody learn James 1:13. You sabi am now..When tempted, no-one should say, God is tempting me for God cannot be tempted with evil…
Mai sister , when I dey type Sunday school programme on Saturday night , dey listen to Barry White, I no know the time I type Songs of Solomon 1:13. Dat one e strong well well.
..My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.
My sister, for the first time in the history of the children’s church, everyone learnt memory verse o. Even one 2 year old, im brothers teach am.
Dem summon mi before elders. My sister, I come dey laff. I hear the allegations but na mai Lepa face I dey see. Dem say na toilet I go dey clean. I come make mistake ask ‘Male or female toilet?’. Mi I ask for information but dem look mi with eye bad like say I get bad thing for mind. (No bi Idris Mohammed sing dat song…Oh Lord, Please don’t let me be misunderstood?) I know say for dia mind na ‘get thee behind me satan’ dem dey think. Dem demote mi to car park. Na there I dey 2 weeks till dem come sack mi pata pata. You see, I been dey direct traffic but I reserve space next to mai Infiniti jeep for my Lepa. Pastor wife come arrive late ask if space dey. I say no (Technically I was not lying as the only space next to my Infinity Jeep was reserved for my Lepacious darling). Na dat day Pastor wife carry plenty books come church, but I no know. She go pack 5 streets away. As she dey struggle to waka come with her plenty load and children she see me dey direct Lepa into the parking space with a smile on mai face.
My sister, as I dey type so, I no get role for church again o. Pastor say I must appear im haus for counselling. Even mama no happy with mi. I juss dey laff dem. Love don anaesthetise mai brain. All di parents for church dey look mi bad eye say I teach dia pickin wrong memory verse. Na wetin sef. Na mi write Bible? Dis thing fit affect mai wedding presents o.
I dey too absent minded when I dey in love sef. Remember dat time in 1983. I been dey make breakfast for Papa. I fry egg, do ogi plus slice bread, dey sing love songs. I come set table den tell Papa say food don readi.

WORKING ON BOOK FOLKS

Your bros Crazy in love

Babawilly

Dear My Sister

2007-08-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Dear My Sister,
I have found love again! ‘Who is it this time?’, I hear you ask. Be patient. Shebi your name na Patience. First and foremost I must tell you I have been searching for a while now. You sabi say on the day a miner is employed to mine for diamonds, there is no assurance that he will ever see a precious stone, yet he signs on the dotted line and starts digging.
My sister, I have been digging for months. Through dirt , stones and assorted poto-poto but I kept on digging. My persistence has paid off and I am now deep deep deeply in love. My sister, you cannot remove me from the depths into which I have sunk. I doubt you have the length of ropes and engineering equipment required to salvage your brother. Me sef, I don’t want to be rescued.
‘Wetin she give you chop?’, I hear you ask. Why must every Naija think say dem give you chop eh?

WORKING ON BOOK FOLKS

Your's truly Crazy in love
Babawilly

Bush Doctor in the City Indeed!

2007-08-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Today is a good day. Started as Academy and reserves team Doctor for Birmingham City FC. Bush Doctor in the City indeed!

Pic of me proudly showing off me badge.

Upper 16s trashed Aston Villa 4-1 (very good win as Villa are local rivals in the Premiership) and the Under 18s trashed (maybe defeated would be a better word but hey..) Bolton 4-3.

Was raining but no injuries. Nice first day at the office

Pidgin Version of Psalm 23

2007-08-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

This poem is easily more famous than me or my book. The Pidgin version of Psalm 23. Written and published on the internet at about 2000 and published in my book- My Time in 2005.

SAM TWENTI TIRI

The Lord is mai shepherd
I dey kampke
He make mi sidon for where betta dey flow
Come put me next to stream wey make mai bodi
Thermacool
He panel beat mai soul come spray am white,
Come dey lead me dey go ni, through express road of righteousness for His name’s sake
Walahi!, if I waka pass where arm robber, 419
And juju pipo borku come even join okada reach valley of the shadow of death sef, mai bodi dey inside cloth. Your rod and staff nko?
Na so-so comfort dem dey comfort me for belle
You don prepare Banga and starch make I chop
All mai enemies dey look anyaya
You anoint me for head wit oil
Mai cup na Ogunpa wey burst im banks
True true, betta life and mercy go gum mai back
Till I quench. And man go tanda for God house sotey sotey; from Lai lai to lai lai.
GOD ALMIGHTI, NA YOU BICO.

Dr Wilson Orhiunu

My Time. 2005

Urhobo Historical Society Calender

2007-08-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

The August page of the UHS calender is devoted to Urhobo Doctors. I tought I shold toast my inclusion with my Urhobo-centric poem. Make una come chop o!

UKODO TONIGHT
It’s Ukodo tonight
Finger lickin’ licking good
We are doing alright
You’re my woman
I’m your man
Been at work
Since 9 o’clock
But it’s now 5
Hey!
That boss of mine
Works me to the bone
But it’s now 5
Ahh!
Tonight’s the night
We celebrate our love
You’ve been to Igbudu market
To buy choice yams
Some crayfish
Alligator pepper
And dry fish
I am on my way home
For Ukodo tonight
It’s been 12 months
Since we both said "I do"
Oh, how sweet time flies.
With a candle lit dinner
We are insured against Nepa
Let’s celebrate
We have made it this far
Stir that boiling froth real slow
Yes my appetite is higher
Than any Warri T.V aerial
For Ukodo tonight
I am driving through
the streets of Wari reminiscing
Of how it was at the start
For Mama said
It wouldn’t work
Papa said
It wouldn’t last
Brother said
It wouldn’t work
Sister said
It wouldn’t last
But here we are getting ready
For Ukodo tonight.
The smell fills the compound
Neighbours know what you are cooking
So pull out the phone
And lock the doors
Shut the windows
and draw the curtains
Even if the president comes knocking
We no dey house
For it’s Ukodo tonight
This love grows
Stronger every day
So fan the flames
Of a love
That just wouldn’t die
Soft music plays
As you turn the palm oil
On hot yams so soft
And tender
I’ll rather be no where else
Than here
For Ukodo tonight

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
My Time 2005

Stephanie Okereke/ Kene Mpkaru

2007-07-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

While going through old pictures on my lap top, I stumbled on this one taken on the 23rd of September 2006 at the Lee Valley Odeon Cinema, London. This picture was actually the high light of the day.
I had been given the opportunity to do a comedy set prior to the screening of a movie titled The Successor starring Stephanie Okereke and Olu Jacobs amongst others. The film producer was Kene Mpkaru of Film Africa.
That day saw the worst traffic ever. I almost cried in the car. Blackwell tunnel was solid, turning the two hour drive from Birmingham to London into a 5 and a half hour ordeal.
I had a few frantic calls on my mobile phone, ‘where are you?’
I arrived towards the end of the movie and still managed to perform an abridged version of my set when the film finished. This was about 1.45am! I had to rush though as people were tired.
I think my version of sweet mother did alright. Its called BITTER FADA

Bitter Fada
I no go forget you
For di Bulala
Wey you bulala me for my nyarsh o!

When I tief fish
My Fada go punish me
E go say my pickin
Make you no tief ye ye
Stop stop
Stop stop
Stop stop
Make you no tief again o!

When I tief milk
My Fada go scold me
He go lie me well well for bed o
E serve me cane, say make I chop
Chop, chop , my pickin o!

When I dey naughty
My Fada go run up and down
He go find me guud cane wey go blast my nyarsh o!
Bitter Fada, I no go forget the cane wey I suffer for you hand oh, o!

When I fail test
My Fada go cry, cry, cry
E go say instead make I disgrace am, make I die o
E go beg God
God help me
God help me cane, my pickin o!

If I no cry
My Fada no go stop
If I no weep
My Fada no go chop
E no dey tire o
Bitter Fada, I no go forget the bulala wey you blast my nyarsh o o!

RAP
You fit get anoda Gism
You fit get anoda sim
But you fit get anoda Fada?
Fada! No.
And if I forget you, I forget my life and the air that I breathe.
And then unto you all men, forget not your Fada
For if you forget your Fada, you’ve lost your life.

Some Lyrics lifted from ‘Sweet mother’ - Prince Nico Mbarga and the Rocafil Jazz Band - 1976

Take Heart

2007-07-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

Take heart

Take heart my brother
When things fall apart
when it rains just on you
And your dreams don’t come true
One day my sister
things will come together
The sun will smile on you
And your enemies will scatter
Your heart’s desires
are yours to take
And the walls before you
are yours to brake
So go forth in courage
Go forth in might
Take hold of darkness
And turn it to light

24-7-07
Dr Wilson Orhiunu
(Babawilly)

Amazing Grace Ad

2007-07-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Saw this in my 23-7-07 copy of Voice Newspaper (UK). A few have criticed my lighted heartd article on this film for heaping too much praise on it. All I can say is- I no know book o! And I have never seen any other Nollywood film advertised in the UK press before.

Wilson-Play

2007-07-24T16:23:00.000-07:00

Tribal Stereotypes in Nigerian Comedy. 2

2007-07-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Tribal Stereotypes in Nigerian Comedy; the Calabar example. Part Two

Personal experience.
As a young boy growing up in Lagos (70s) I first noticed the lampooning of ‘Calabar people’ through a character in the now defunct soap opera on NTA Lagos ‘The Village Headmaster’. There was a shop owner Bassey Okon played by Jab Adu. He was a somewhat volatile man, who always reached for his cutlass or wooden cane to ‘settle’ heated disputes. He had a daughter, Ikate, and a relative, Boniface, who worked as his shop assistant. Boniface was particularly dim (I write from memory) and I remember ‘Calabar people’ at school being called Boniface or Ete (Man in Efik).
Then in the 80s there was the popular Masquerade soap staring Zebrudaya as the main character. He had two house boys, Gringory Acabot of Ikot Epkeme, and Clarus Igbojikwe of the one eyed mama.
Gringory was particularly stupid, as was Clarus, and because the acting of Gringory was very good, a stereotype was born; that was of a stupid Calabar man. Like all stereotypes, the premise was wrong, as the actor playing Gringory was highly educated and articulate.
I also remember the late stand up comedian and DJ John Chukwu doing a routine during which he did perfect impressions of the Calabar accent in the late 70s.
The above shows could be said to be the fore runners of today’s stand up comedy routines. A recent explosion in Nigerian comedy can be attributed to the VCD series, ‘A Nite of a Thousand Laughs’ by Opa Williams. For the first time various stand comedians were introduced to Nigerian audiences through touring and VCD. Going through these VCDs is the easiest way to ascertain the level of tribal stereotypes as it exists today. I opted to study the Abuja-Benin 2004-2005 VCD, as I felt that this was the best of the whole series (A biased view, but I had to watch something I could tolerate to the end!).
Below is a brief review of Opa Williams Nite of a Thousand laughs. Abuja-Benin 2004-2005. Ahbu Ventures Ltd.
Note that the theme tune for this show is ‘Who let the dogs out’ by the Bahamen which is played between and during comedy performances.
I list the comedians in order of appearance and a brief description of their performance.
ABUJA SHOW
Okey Bakkassi. 5 comical stories covering marriage/infidelity/squints/robbery and a man and a monkey. The monkey handler offers a prize for getting his monkey to laugh, cry or go into the cage. A Calabar man performs this feat by first telling the monkey his work, his pay and lastly inviting the monkey to apply for a vacancy at the Nigerian Railway cooperation. This last joke was done in a Calabar accent, bringing down the house. There was no mention of any other tribal group in his routine.
I go Die- Dressed in a bright red suit gave, what I consider to be, his best performance ever. Told about 13 jokes. He made no mention of any particular tribe, although he did mention a Warri boy acting aggressively. Routinely mainly about breasts and mobile phones
Mike Ogbolosinger – told 8 jokes. Mentioned Akwa Ibom thrice. Once during his routine when the theme tune-‘who let the dogs out’ was played suddenly, he joked about eating dog meat. During a classroom story he inferred an Akwa Ibom pupil was stupid by for answering ‘the ten commandments’ when asked to name something breakable especially as the two previous pupils asked the same question had answered Eggs and Glass.
Lastly he joked about a stupid and violent Akwa Ibom man who refused to give him directions when he was lost; (done with accent). He briefly mentioned a stupid Aso Rock Photographer who he lampooned in a mock Hausa accent.
BENIN SHOW
Clint the Drunk. Three tribal jokes about singers- Hausa: singers useless; Yoruba singers: loud; and Igbo music unscripted and composed on the spot to praise rich people in attendance. No mention of Calabar!
I go die- 3 jokes. No tribal insults
Okey Bakkassi – 4 jokes . No trial jokes
Un named comedian- described how different tribes prayed- Yorubas shout, Igbos give God their shop addresses, Benin people speak Good English (Note that the show was in Benin), Warri people yarn (discuss) with God like friends and Esan people shout excessively.
I go save- Mainly insulted the ex President of Nigeria by inferring he looked like a primate.
From the above it is obvious that a disproportionate amount of jokes are heaped on the ‘Calabar people’.
A particular comedian- Basket mouth (the singer, not Bright Opkocha of similar stage name) did not appear in the above show but his routine consists of singing in the style of old-skool reggae dance hall about Calabar, Edo and Yoruba girls. His act is the most derogatory comedy act against Calabar people that I have seen to date, and I have written below (printable) excerpts from his act on ‘A Nite of a Thousand Laughs’. Volume 2. Obaino Music
Calabar girls
I too dey like their style
Because they really know how to take care of man
Dem go cook for you
Dem go wash your cloth
Dem go make your belle
Make e extra sweet
Na inside bedroom dem dey get their power
Bleep, bleep, bleep. (Offensive to Christians)
Dem get degree for sexology
Dem be professors for knackiology
E reach bedmatics dem no dey taya
Because Calabar girls they are ever ready
Maybe na the dog meat wey dem dey chop
Maybe na dat one dey give dem extra power
Etc etc etc
The audience at this time was falling over themselves with laughter. I would however doubt he would have gotten a good response to that song had it been performed at Tinapa (Calabar)!
If summary, Calabar is an iconic town with a huge reputation. It inspires creative people and deserves to be made the subject of films, plays and musicals, as has been demonstrated by Fred Amata’s Amazing Grace.
Creative people should try to concentrate on getting creative works out that can inspire rather than constantly insult a tribe. Insults are cheap and will definitely get the performer an easy laugh but merely dispensing insults represents a lazy approach to comedy writing.
While I am not a great fan of political correctness or censorship, I think the Calabar jokes have been pushed too far.
Perhaps I should start the ball rolling by deleting the Calabar comedy audio track I have on my web site!
http://babawillyentertainment.com

Tribal Stereotypes in Nigeria Comedy 1

2007-07-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Tribal stereotypes in Nigeria Comedy; the Calabar example. Part One

The comedy industry in Nigeria is experiencing steady growth. Tribal stereotyping features prominently in Nigerian comedy in instances ranging from stand up routines, to drama or film.
Comedians play to the gallery, so one might suggest that there is a demand for these sorts of jokes. The question however is why? Not an easy question to answer but I will try.
Introduction
Gelotology is the study of laughter. Many researchers have undertaken to study laughter in formal situations and produced interesting findings. To date, I am unaware of any such studies being conducted in Nigeria thus I have relied heavily on anecdotal evidence in the writing of this article, and thus bias and inaccuracies might occur.
Eliciting laughter is the ultimate a goal in the performance of a comedy routine.
We laugh when we find a situation funny. In many instances a situation is perceived as funny when the end of a series of events results in a different outcome to what we had anticipated at the beginning. Hence the first job of the stand up comedian is usually to make his audience anticipate something. That is only possible by sharing a situation that is familiar to the audience. And since most comedy routines are basically stories about people, the easiest way to manipulate the audiences’ collective expectation is to use stereotypes.
In the Nigeria, all the major ethnic groups have their stereotypical characteristics, which is usually based on erroneous premises. The accent is the easiest one to do. An impression of a Hausa man speaking tends to get the audience laughing in anticipation of a stereotypical story such as security guard or Suya seller with low educational attainment involved in a common scenario for that audience.
Other examples of tribal stereotypes are the Igbos love for money, Edo girls in Italy involved in prostitution, and Yorubas who love to lavish huge monetary gifts while dancing at parties. The major tribes feature prominently in comedy routines, as these characters with their regional accents are easily recognisable by audiences.
Apart from absurd or incongruous ends to stories, there is the feeling of superiority, which good comedians evoke in their audiences when talking about the stupidity or undesirable qualities of other tribal groups or individuals.
That may explain the ready success comedians have enjoyed from telling jokes about poor or ‘wowo’ (ulgy) people. Everybody tends to laugh at these jokes; ironic in a country where poverty, real or relative, is rife.
Any that may explain why comedy shows staged in a town will tend to have comedians telling jokes at the expense of other towns or the minority groups within that town- a sort of bullying.
Comedy affords an opportunity to laugh at events and problems that are not funny in any way. The pent up frustrations are given a release through laughter, and this helps to reduce tension.
Of all the tribal stereotypes on offer in Nigerian comedy, the most politically incorrect and vicious lampooning seems to be reserved for the Calabar people. Why?
Calabar People
This widely used term in Nigeria - Calabar people is somewhat inaccurate. Calabar is the Capital of Cross River State, which was created in February 1976 out of the former South Eastern State (created May 27, 1967 out of the former Eastern region).
The three major language groups in Cross River State are; Efik, Bekwara and Ejagham.
Akwa Ibom State was created in September 23, 1987 and was craved out of the Old Cross River State. The major ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom are Ibibio, Anang and Oron.
To the average Nigerian the two states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River are simply called Calabar, partly due to ignorance and also due to the fact that till date many Nigerians have not gotten a hang of the current map of Nigeria!
The various languages in these two states are also loosely called Calabar or Efik.
History, Myths and Icons.
Like I have alluded to before, comedy requires the audience to ‘get’ the story as it starts so that the ‘punch line’, usually an unexpected outcome, achieves maximum impact.
The people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River have a distinctive accent known to most audiences in Nigeria. This lends itself to comedy very readily.
I also suspect that their rich history and culture which features strong iconoclastic characters makes them exotic or perhaps enigmatic, thus making stories about them appear much more interesting.
These people of the South Eastern part of Nigeria are not known for rioting, so perhaps the Nigerian comedians and script-writers feel confident that there will be no back lashes from the ‘polite and dignfied’ Calabar when they are mercilessly lampooned in the name of entertainment.
The most Dramatic things in Nigeria as a whole seem to happen to the ‘Calabar people’ and here I begin my list.
Mary Slessor (1848-1915), the Queen of Calabar, was a Scottish missionary who lived and worked with the people of Okoyong for many years. She learnt the Efik language and died in those parts. Her grave stands there till date. She is credited with stopping the killing of twins in these parts and stopping the trial of witches by the Calabar Ordeal Bean.
A Dr W F Daniel first reported the use of this bean; Physiostigma Venenosum, a woody vine and known to all students of Physiology world wide, in 1846.
People suspected of Witchcraft were forced to eat some of the beans, which contained Physiostigmine. There were three out comes possible.
Firstly, if the beans are vomited and the patient survives then they were acquitted. Secondly, if they had abdominal symptoms and survived they were sold into slavery. Finally, if they died, they were deemed guilty.
Missionaries at the time learnt to swallow the beans when captured by the ‘natives’ and put through the ordeal. They then regurgitated the beans up and survived. They had learnt that the deadly Physiostigmine was only released after chewing the bean (Na Beans!).
John Newton (1725 to 1807), the author of the world famous hymn Amazing Grace was said to have been inspired to write this hymn after hearing traditional songs in Old Calabar when he was a Captain on a Slave ship. This story has been the subject of numerous writings, documentaries and films, including Fred Amata’s Amazing Grace released in 2006. These three stories have given Calabar a place in world history and folklore.
Throughout Nigeria’s recent history, a subject of discussion among men for many years is the traditional fattening rooms of Calabar have been. These are rooms where young girls are feed to obese proportions for months and also taught how to satisfy a man ie sexually, through coking, home management skills, respect for in laws etc. This has given rise to the myth that Calabar girls know how to take care of a man. And since comedy is a male dominated profession, this image of beautiful girls with insatiable sexual appetites, the stuff male fantasy, gains expression during stand up routines.
Another myth is that Dog meat is eaten regularly in Calabar and its environs and this meat somehow confers a sexual stamina on the women who eat it.
Then there is the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star whose leader is Olumba Olumba Obu, who claims to be God. He is a well-known ‘Calaber man’.
In more recent times the dispute over the oil-rich Bakassi peninsular between Nigeria and Cameroun has brought the area into the limelight. The International Court of Justice in 2002 awarded the peninsular to the Cameroun to the consternation of many Nigerians. The word Bakkassi was used as a jocular slang for female buttocks and also serves as a name for the vigilante group, Bakkassi boys.
This South Eastern area is on its way to becoming a major tourist attraction with the opening of Tinapa; a business and leisure development. The Obudu cattle ranch is also a much talked about destination boasting of a cool climate due to its high altitude (1,542m) and affording visitors to embark on horse riding, hiking and the like.
In London, there is a well known restaurant called Mama Calabar.; a place where nutritional needs are meet.

Pure Water

2007-07-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Pure Water
Pure water ,pure water
The little boy said
Will quench all your thirst
And cool down your head
It is good for madam
Perfect for Oga
Pure water pure water
The little boy said

Dr W Orhiunu
My Time 2005

Obioma

2007-07-24T15:08:00.001-07:00

Obioma
Once knew a happy tailor
Whose shop was on his head
He played with his big scissors
As he sought his daily bread
I will patch up all your trousers
And stitch up all your shirts
And if your girl is growing tall
I will loosen up her skirts
Sat down by the big tree trunk
A busy man was he
Had piles of clothes on each side
Was as happy as can be
He sang of friends and soldiers
who died during the war.
And when the clothes were finished,
he eat some cold paw-paw
Dr W Orhiunu
My Time. 2005.

Little Man

2007-07-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

Now Man

2007-07-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Young Man

2007-07-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

My Time

2007-07-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Copy of my book containing over 100 'library bangers'. Looking for a forward thinking Nigerian publisher or any other publisher for that matter to take it on.
Strange thing is my self published and internet published poems are better lknown than most of the works being published (Sebi I will blow my own mouth organ now).
Soon and very soon.....

Lagba-Wilson 07

2007-07-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

YMSFAD Book signing. Ldn06

2007-07-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Bupa Great North Run- 2005

2007-07-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

Bush Doctor in The City. Vol 12

2007-06-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Bush Doctor in the City. Vol 12
The Bush Doctor was in a bad mood. He had just returned from a meeting with the new health commissioner who was brimful of heady ideas and ambitions. Eradicate Malaria in 10 years and Leprosy in 2 years.
‘Eradicate my nyarsh’ said the Bush Doctor on hearing this.
Though he hated Leprosy and was keen for its eradication, he wasn’t convinced of the commissioner’s credibility or sincerity.
The disease evoked horror and fear. You ran when you heard of Leprosy.
Many people had wives infected with HIV , Hepatitis and various other Viruses but no one wanted to kiss a leprous bride. The sixth year itch was who how the Bush Doctor referred to Leprosy. The Bacteria lives silently in the body for six years before manifesting as a numb pale rash.
The older Doctors were not bothered. They had seen many commissioners come and go.
‘Youthful exuberance’ whispered Dr Arugbo. He was the oldest practising Doctor around. To him everyone below 65 years was ‘youthful’.
The commissioner’s rhetoric was merely for the journalists present. Sound bites for the few people who read newspapers. He thanked the drug company from heaven as he called them,( Norvatis) for giving him the tools to do the job. They had provided trunk loads of MDT (Multiple Drug Therapy) to kill off leprosy (a task that must be done).
Suddenly, there was a presentation. The graphs showed that the highest density of Leprosy was in the Bush Doctor’s area. Everyone looked at him like it was his fault.
‘Twenty cases in that small Bush?’ asked the commissioner.
The speaker asked the Bush Doctor for a response.
‘I have only been in post two years. There were only twelve patients in the small leper colony we supervise when I started. Now we have twenty because eight joined after hearing about the excellent care we provide’.
‘You call having the highest prevalence of Leprosy in the area excellent care?’ asked the commissioner sarcastically.
It hurt. Here was a Doctor who three years his junior in Medical school lording it over him. And more so, this Doctor turned politician hadn’t practised clinical medicine of over 10 years now.
The Bush doctor almost screamed, why blame me for Leprosy? Is it my fault that after 4 years of taking Dapsone which proved ineffective, the patients have given up on western medicine all together?
‘Dapsone resistance has lead to poor compliance…’ the Bush Doctor began to mumble.
‘That is not good enough. You are failing in your duties. You should educate your patients about the new Dapsone, Clofazimine and Rifampicin therapy. Tell them I said Bang, bang, bang- Leprosy dey go’ said the commissioner beating his barrel shaped chest. They whole conference fell on each other laughing. As the Bush Doctor made his way back to his sit, he knew his heart had left the job. Given time his body would follow.
The Bush nurse walked into his office without knocking.
‘Why the face of thunder?’ she asked
‘Africa dies at the hands of Viruses yet they want to pursue Bacteria’.
‘Oh. This Leprosy thing. I saw the supplies you brought back’
‘Yes. Must be eradicated in two years. The jokers wouldn’t even take the medicine’.
The Bush Nurse walked across the tiny office and stood behind his chair. She massaged his neck.
‘Relax. I have an idea. We will get the Witch Doctor to dispense. Yes. Ground the tablets to powder, mix with palm wine and tell the Lepers the ancestors have decreed that they take this potent portion. They are mostly men so he can say their testicles will drop off in two weeks if they disobey the ancestral spirits. That should get their attention!’ said the Bush Nurse.
‘Ehen! Not only do you have magical fingers, you have a brain that works wonders. Mycobacterium Leprae; Bang, bang, bang, you don dey go’ said the Bush Doctor.
No such problem for the Bush Doctor in the City. None of his patients have Leprosy.
22-6-07. I.D. 50 year old female. Feeling low. Not going out. Anxiety. We discussed her thought patterns, moods and resulting actions.
I told her there was a relationship between Depression and a smaller than average Hippocampus (part of the brain that deals with Spatial recognisation). The significance is unclear though. Do you have a small Hippocampus because you are moody and sit indoors all day or do you get depressed because you were born with a small Hippocampus.
Incidentally, taxi drivers and migratory birds have large Hippocampi. (And we all know Taxi drivers are never depressed; they just keep on talking!).
Going out is an act of faith. An exercise in hope. A risk. A running attack into the future. The depressed have low hope and expectations for the future (short and long term) and so go out less.
If asked to go to another city for a party, the answer is No. They say No to everything and soon no one asks anymore.
Dressing up well is an act for the future. In the present there is the need for prophylaxis against nakedness and cold but in the future, there is the potential for the nice fitting clothes to get noticed and attract positive feed back.
Hope is needed to dress well and hope goes in depression. (Of course there are exceptions, so please don’t e-mail them).
The question is, should I ask depressed people to jump in the car, drive to a city they do not know, without a map or satellite navigation system, and go watch a comedy film? All this in the hope that their hippocampus might swell up.
I think I talked too much to this patient.
22-6-07. 40 year old lady. ‘What is wrong?’ I asked. ‘Everything is wrong’ she replied.
Issues in all departments. Lost son 14 years ago aged only 4 days. 2 daughter’s being difficult, husband upped and left two years ago and set up home with lady and now has a baby. Cannot loose weight. Low mod. Anxious. Ill mother. No time to enjoy life.
Life is hard.
She looks at me expecting to hear something.
‘You see, our memories are like a well arranged CD collection. Different genres of music are arranged together. No matter how long ago the track was recorded, when the CD is played, it sounds as clear as the day it was originally recorded. And once you start playing one country and western, you keep on playing other country and westerns’. Same with moods. Think about how rotten it is now and you remember how rotten it alway was.
Think about how good it is now and you remember how good life has always been.
Without trivialising you pain, I would not agree with you that ‘everything is going wrong’. I think, may be you just might be dipping into that memory store, feeling the shapes with your fingers, and picking out only a certain kind of ball’.
She wasn’t interested in anti-depressants. Wasn’t interested in counselling. ‘I will fight this myself’ she said. ‘Oh, no you wouldn’t’ I said in my mind.
She agreed to see the Community psychiatric nurse for at least one session of Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
I think I have talked too much again.

London Marathon 3

2007-06-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

At 12 miles, it was time to cross Tower Bridge. I saw Colin Jackson interviewing a runner on the bridge. (The only celebrity I saw). I began to drink like a camel, but unfortunately didn’t have a bladder like one. We were peeing in the bushes. It was like everyone had a full bladder but marked their time to see who would go first. Once a chap made a detour for the bush, any bush, it gave everyone a licence to urinate. There was no shame. If the bush was high enough the women joined. Not so for the elite runners though. We heard they just did the business down their legs. With over £100,000 at stake I don’t blame them.
Spectators
If no spectators come, there is no race. The noise from the crowd is like a petrol nozzle up your engine. It fires you on. There was a slight problem though. Babawilly doesn’t translate well into English.
One woman shouted ‘come on Babawilly, prove it!’.
Next year, I will have BABAWILL on my T- shirt.
Some spectators brought sweets, water, fruits and music. Some church bands sang along the way. For slow Virgins like us, the encouragement is vital. Large noise and cheering is like an adrenaline transfusion. I have seen with my own calf muscles that with the right encouragement, Impossible is really nothing.
Slow Virgin
Like a slow train
through London
We run and perspire
Number on our chest
Our goal the finish line
For miles on a full bladder
Each tree looks inviting
The crowds cheer our
heavy steps
It is the story of life
many start
not all finish
An ocean of heads
A meandering train
First class is up front
The lesser talent at the rear
A medal awaits
Each one from each carriage
On account of the speed
This is the slow Virgin
Dr W Orhiunu
My Time
2005
(Virgin trains operate in the UK)
The Wall!
I hit the wall at Mile One! By Mile 20, I had hit a planet. I was so hot; I smelt like Suya on a grill. Then the hamstrings went into cramp. Next thing the muscles began to talk to me individually. Right Peroneus longus and Brevis said ‘Babawilly, Persin wey said Peroneus no go sleep, im sef no go sleep’.
Quadriceps Femoris, Semimembranosus, Latissimus Dorsi and Trapezuis, all started doing a national conference with me. Muscles I hadn’t thought about in ages.
I was glad to queue for the toilets and rest. Then there’s the friction burns. The thighs rubbing, the buttocks grating, the toes on the trainers, blisters on the heels, the nipples being sand papered by the T-shirt, the arms against the arm pits and the scrotum against the thighs. And once the skin gets raw, that salty sweat stings up the whole place. I guess that’s why we apply so much Vaseline for the moving parts and plasters over the static parts.
Mile 24
Running along the embankment, you know the end is nigh. My whole body became on massive lump of cramp and I had to walk to the finish line. From here on, no toilets. There are crowds everywhere, so no chance of Bush action. I just couldn’t pee on myself so I suffered. This must be the closest a man could get to labour pains. Cramped up body, six hours of Sun, full bladder and I couldn’t cross my legs. I was about ready for my Caesarean section!
FINISH
All runners are happy to see Big Ben and at 26 Miles you are grateful to see Buckingham Palace. I suspect this race course has been designed to psychologically programme you into associating all good things with the British Parliament and the Royal family. Boy, was I glad to run past the Palace. When I finally went over the finish line I begged them for two medals as I felt that my efforts deserved two.
She smiled and gave me just one.
(One man, one medal. No rigging, no shaking!)
The End.
http://babawillyentertainment.com
(For Pidgin English Dictionary and Kilimanjaro Travelogue)

London Marathon 2

2007-06-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

22-04-07. 6.30am
D Day. Lazy in bed. Felt stiff from all that driving from Birmingham to London. Shower, and then adjusted my coral beads. (My latest fashion statement- the South-south look). The necklace had to be shortened and held down with safety pins to make running easier. (See photo). At this point, I thanked God that I didn’t have breasts.
Was getting late. Left by 7.10am with cousin who had now returned from night shift. He didn’t have a clue how to encourage someone about to undertake a big task (or perhaps was too tired to care).
At Sutton station there were no trains (Up British Rail!) and I was soon on a Coach to West Croydon to arrive 8.10am.
I was late and sweating. The race starts 9am for elite women, 9.25am for the Wheel Chair Marathon and 9.45am for elite men and the masses (me). And you sabi say the only African time that will be on display will be the victory times of the Black athletes. I began to calculate and pray at the same time. A skill all Nigerian have acquired while driving on Nigerian roads.
I had hurriedly put just £5 in my pocket and left my wallet and credit cards back in my cousin’s place. Train transport was free for all runners who display their running numbers so I thought I didn’t need money. I began to rehearse how I would convince the cab drivers to take me to my Blackheath starting point on credit. I began to blame myself. Why was I late? Why did British rail close Sutton station. It will be sad to go home without a medal.
As I came off the bus, a chap called me. He was looking lost. Was from Northampton and needed get to the Marathon starting point. I on the other hand had lived in Croydon before. Off to the cab office. £23 to Blackheath. His mum brought out the cash. Hallelu..Halleluyah.
God said I will go ahead of you….
Race. 10am.
I ran for ages and got very angry at the first sign. ONE MILE. Only?? With all this sweat and thirst? 25 miles to go. God help us. At 3 Miles I saw the Vittel water sign. The shock. The water had finished. Na lie. People started looking on the road at the empty plastic bottles for remnant water. Some spectators were tipping water into bottles to make up a good quantity for drinking. God alone knows what mouths had been on the bottles before they got thrown on the dirty road. Omo, I rush the bottle. Disease no dey kill African man; (only poverty and Aids).
Where are all those Lagos street hawkers selling ‘Pure water’ when you need them? Make dem give dem Visa now!
I even wrote a poem for them in my book- My Time and dem come let me down like this.
Pure Water
Pure water, pure water
The little boy said
Will quench all your thirst
And cool down your head
It is good for madam
Perfect for Olga
Pure water pure water
The little boy said
Dr W Orhiunu
My Time
2005

London Marathon 1

2007-06-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

LONDON MARATHON – 22-04-2007
Julie Andrews (Maria) sang in the Sound of Music; let us start from the very beginning, a very good place to start. And so I proceed to 490 BC.
There was war between the Greeks and the invading Persian armies. The Greeks won the battle of Marathon and Miltiades (Greek Army leader) sent word of the victory to the King via a runner Pheidippides. (You might wonder why he didn’t send a text message, or flash (Naija style)).
Poor (or patriotic) Pheiddippides ran the full 42.2Km at full speed to the Palace and promptly died after delivering his very important message.
If na Naija, e for climb Okada. E fit even branch Mamaput for pounded yam and pure water. Between ‘swallows’ he will surely mutter, ‘man pickin no go die for government work’.
If na mai village Pheidippides die, dem for ‘forbid’ running that distance. But Europe different. Na that 42.2 Km na im we dey all run till today; so God help us.
Back to the present. 21-4-07.3.30pm
I am driving down the M25 to the Excel Centre to register for the race. Paul Play’s Angel of My Life is playing and I cannot help wondering. Has Paul in all his playing considered that women like Angels can grow wings and then fly away? One has to call his babe Angel with some trepidation!
All my people are voting for our next Nigerian president back home.
At the Excel centre, I join a queue and hand over my letter bearing my running number 15900. I get handed a bag, which contains a computer Championchip, and running numbers for my bag and vest.
Everything went smoothly. Well, they wrote my surname incorrectly but hey, what’s new there?
For those who don’t know, the chip is what makes ‘rigging’ the race impossible. For starters you lace the chip to your trainers for the race and your progress can be tracked as you run across various sensors that have been placed across the road. If not sharp guys fit enter train, empty bucket of water on im self and appear at the finish line as winner.
Cousin’s House .7pm
(Not quite. Every family friend in Nigeria is a brother or cousin and every mansion, flat or rented room is a house)
Eat dinner with cousin. Was working a night shift so left me at home to sleep. But not before he wound me up. ‘Wilson, abeg on your way back from the race tomorrow buy Malt and canned drinks. You need to replace what we have drank’ he said.
I could believe my ears! After 26.2 Miles, make I go shopping?
I did some breathing exercises.
‘Look, you should get yourself to the finish line and help me home. Am I not your guest? I am buying nothing’ I said.
‘Abeg buy the drinks’ he said.
I was perplexed. We grew up together. Our fathers entertained each other in Lagos. Is this what living in England can do to a man? Too much night shifts and too little social interaction. Na wa!
The weather forecast was hot, hot, and hot. I begin fear.

Love Poems

2007-06-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Lip stick Pregnancy
Her lip stick dey bright
Mai throat come enta
I kiss am sotey
Lip stick finis for im lips
She rub am again
I kiss am comot
She tell me say I go buy market

I reach haus refuse eba
You chop outside?
I say yes mama.
Wetin you chop?
Palm oil stew
E belleful you?
Yes o. I don get belle.

IMO KISSING
Philomena Ibe
Will not look away
When for her Emeka is searching
She’ill quicken her strides
And soon be beside
Emeka, and start Imo kissing.

Imo kissing, Imo kissing
Philomena loves Imo kissing
The taste of his lips and
The warmth of his love
is what Philomena calls
Imo kissing.

It Does

Don’t ask how
That bird flies across an ocean
It does
It does

Don’t ask how
The baby knows its mother
It does
It does

Don’t ask how
The earth just keeps on spinning
It does
It does

Don’t ask how
My heart could love you so much
It does
It does

In Love

Like a gentle water fall
To my soul
She soothes me
I experience the impossible
She tells me I am her man
And I believe

Butterflies flutter in my spine
Molten love transcends
My being
Is that a loin I see
waving at me?
Is that crocodile really
Kissing the Zebra goodnight?

Love is everywhere
I see stars and moon dancing
Dancing with the sun
Is it noon
Or night
So hard to tell
when you are in love

Good

Good has come to me
Dressed in colourful apparel
Good has come
With long hair,
a big smile,
lovely perfume

Good has danced with me
we moved as one
Like partners from another life
Good is a girl
I met today
A girl called…..Omoge

Bush Doctor in the City. Vol 11

2007-06-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

BUSH DOCTOR IN THE CITY. Vol. 11
The Bush Doctor knew he was in a crisis. The whole Bush knew he was in a crisis. It was so bad that last night he referred 12 patients to the witch Doctor. The wards were overflowing.
Lassa fever had struck. Unmistakable rashes, sore throat, bloody diarrheoa, bleeding from the nostrils and lymph glands popping up ever where like Bush rats; Bush rats called Mastomys natalensis.
The Bush Doctor had warned them not to drink garri.
‘Make eba with hot boiling water. The rats have been feeling on the garri spread out in the sun. Their saliva carried the Lassa fever virus. Boiling hot water will kill the virus’ he had warned during his health education classes. No one listened.
‘We have been drinking garri long before you came here’ Mumu had said.
There was no need to say ‘I told you so’. The patients all said it. They should have listened.
The big city hospital had been informed of the outbreak and they were ‘looking into it’ from a distance. The courier brought two courses of Ribavirin tablets with a note to say more was on the way. ‘Tell them they should know I need intravenous stuff here!’ he screamed at the poor messenger.
The Bush Doctor put himself and the Bush nurse on the treatment.
‘Someone has to be alive to look after this lot’ was how he justified his actions to the Bush nurse. She took the course willingly.
No scarcity of Anti viral treatment for the Bush Doctor in the City. He has a Specialist for every Virus.
12-6-07. 1pm
Have come for my weekly dose of continuing education. A special lecture this time. The David Perry Memorial lecture to be given by Dr David Mutimer. Liver specialist at the QE Hospital. Birmingham.
At sit in the quiet hall and do what all good Doctors do at such meetings; let the mind wander.
Chief Basorun Moshood Abiola was the acclaimed winner of the Nigerian Presidential elections held on the 12th of June 1993 which was subsequently annulled (eleven days later) by the then military head of state; General Ibrahim Babangida.
And right now as I sit in this lecture theatre, Nigerians are again crumbling about the recently conducted elections which many claim was flawed.
Democracy infection leads to a carrier state ie chronic democratitis. After a few years this leads to Democratic cirrhosis and that in turns leads to Democratic failure or Democratic cancer and eventual dermocratic death and that……..
My neighbour sneezes and I am back to reality. ‘Bless you Doctor’.
Now the topic is nasty Hepatitis B.
644,000 deaths a year. Prevalence in Nigeria >10%. Chineke! That means in any group photograph containing over 10 persons at an Owambe party, at least one person has Hepatitis B.
It is also the number one preventable disease (by way of a national immunization programme) that people die of. Next being Measles; 610,000 deaths a year.
The slides of the world map, where the highly prevalent areas were painted bright red, came on. Nigeria even looked redder than most. Chineke! Or perhaps I should cream, Oghene!
Then came the slides where countries with immunization programmes were coloured differently from the rest. Cameroun stood out next to Nigeria, for having a vaccination programme for neonates against Hepatitis B. (I thought we were richer than them).
The UK has no programme as endemicity was low. However all pregnant women were screened and if found to be positive are followed up after delivery. The babies were immunised at birth to prevent infection.
Dr Mutimer noted his patient numbers have been going up in the last few years due to immigration from India , Africa and parts of Europe. These are places with high prevalence but no immunisation policy against Hepatitis B. (I suppose in Africa they have more pressing issues like Aids & Egunje abi?).
For Nigeria , it will make good sense to jab all babies with the Hepatitis B vaccine. The risk of being a carrier is 100% when infected at birth, 50% when infected as a toddler and less than 5% when infected as an adult.
After 30 to 50 years of being a carrier, the disease (Chronic Hepatitis) progresses to Liver Cirhosis and then to Liver failure or Liver Cancer). Like HIV, the replication of the virus (how many pickin di virus dey born) with determine how fast the liver damage progresses.
Rather than say God forbid three times, you need a hepatologist and some very expensive medicine.
At the QE hospital they start with Lamivudine,(Cheap but with a 70% incidence of resistance in about four years) and add Adefovir, when the Viral load starts to rise again. Three monthly blood tests are essential to keep an eye on viral load.
My mind begins to wander again.
Enemies of democracy are viruses. What drug will work for Naija.
Did I hear someone sneeze, ‘coup-divudine?!’ . ‘Bless you Doctor’.
Special thanks to Dr David Mutimer for kindly e-mailing me a copy of his power point presentation- Heptitis B. Threats! & Promises?. The David Parry Memorial Lecture. Good Hope Hospital. June 12th 2007.
Reference-Anyabolu I Oliver.(2000). Classic Publishing Company Limited. Nigeria ,Past to the present.pp158

Judas- A Poem

2007-06-11T06:57:00.001-07:00

JUDAS

There’s a Judas in your pocket
Cheap plastic dressed in gold
A fancy snare in your wallet
That robs till you are skint and old

Coiled up cobra in your pocket
Will pounce at each bargain
Buy now, good friend, and slave later
Brick by brick build up your mountain

At the sales will be a saviour
But cometh the judge, cometh the traitor
Betrays the secret spending
With statements so revealing

Curse the day you meet your Judas
He has a master, who is not you
Behold sharp scissors, slit its bowels
Kill that Judas and start anew.

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
(Babawilly)
June 2007

Amazing Grace by Jeta Amata

2007-06-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Amazing Grace BY Jeta Amata.
Nigeria is known for inventing a few things. Four one nine e-mails, Lassa Fever, Afro-beat and to that I must add, giving the world the tune to Amazing Grace.
Yes, I have just watched Jeta Amata’s film. ‘Where have you been?’ you ask. Same question I ask myself.
The film is a gem. You must see it. If you have, you must watch it again. It’s the best film out of Nigeria ever and there are non of the usual female leads (special thanks to the requirement of being able to speak Efik).
Now, the story is about John Newton’s experiences as a Slave trader in Old Calabar. He learns about the humanity of the ‘African savages’ and indeed concludes in the end that they are all one of God’s creatures.
John Newton (24-7-1725 to 21-12-1807) penned the hymn Amazing Grace to the tune of an Efik song he heard while in Calabar and also as a result of his conversion to evangelical Christianity.
I am no film critic but persin still fit tok wetin im eye see (abi I lie?).
Film starts with a peaceful scene of communal harmony then Maria Davies (Joke Silva) starts her narration (Lovely voice). ‘It’s Titanic all over again’ I moan to myself but soon get used to her voice.
The brutality of the slave trade is on display.
A particular character, a Mr Fix it for his Oyinbo oga is Orok (Itam Williamson). He seemed always at pains to show how tough he was. Even when lifting frail little girls he huffs and puffs. A real Uncle Tom he was.
Will not spoil it for you by going into the plot.
The music was good and writing very good. Although the film was written by Jeta Amata, the credits at the end of the film read – additional writing by Nick Moran and Scott Claverdon. It showed. The English use there language differently.
My favourite dialogues was between Newton (Nick Morran) and Oliver Platt (Scott Claverdon ).
Platt was about to shoot Etim (Fred Amata) who had been wrestled to the ground and Newton says to Platt ‘Don’t shoot, a creature of such spirit is worth three of them’
‘But he is dangerous’ said Platt still pointing his pistol at Etim.
‘A civilised man does not shot a thoroughbred for folly. Chain him’ said Newton. I found that very enjoyable.(I hope I am not the only one o).
The scenery was quite good although at times you felt the camera men were trying to out do each other in filming birds and sunsets.
About the 17th scene, the slaves walked down hill in a single line (like lamb to the slaughter) and end up in a big cage. Poignant.
Soon Ansa ( Mbong Odungide) is brought into the cage and she is surprised to find her cousin Etim there. Ansa steals the show. She has a commanding presence and is the centre of attraction in every scene she appears. (Na she win pata pata.).
Like I said before, you guys should all go and buy the film.
Now for some yabbis.
About fourteenth scene; 26.12 minutes on Disc One, the camera scans the carnage left behind by the slave raiders. The belly of the dead witch Doctor is shown. It is still. Etim then wakes up from deep unconsciousness and is as fit as a fiddle. Not even a drop of blood on his head.(Ah ah, a head injury that will send you into comma should leave some wounds now. And man no fit jump up from comma begin run like Ben Johnson, no matter the Viagra or steroids as the case may be).
He sees his wife dead on a bench nearby (how convenient) he laments and sees his child dead and screams. By now the dead witch Doctor can hold his breath no longer and his belly begins to move! 26.52 minutes.(Abi the guy man resurrect?)
Etim looks around and a spear is stuck in the ground, which he grabs and then goes in pursuit of the slave traders (but not before asking directions from a strategically placed crying woman).
2 minutes later a silhouette of Etim reveals his spare bearing a cloth towards the head end. (Bros, were you buy that handkerchief from?).
Fred Amata and Nick Morran did very well, but that Ansa eh…….
Over to second disc. 10.10 minutes. I think this can be classed as a love scene. Ansa and Newton are on the deck with the river in the background. They stand face to face smiling sheepishly and I am really digging this. (That Ansa, she fine o!).
I almost expect Celine Dion to start singing. (You sabi say, man and woman on top deck equals to Di Caprio and Kate Winslet now).
Apparently Simmons (James Hicks, Oyinbo slave raider who has been punished for his ‘sins’ by being shackled with the slaves) has been giving English literature master classes below deck (that hot , smelly, diarrhoea on each other hell hole; some class room!!) and Ansa learned quickly. So quickly she can have a conversation in English and even understand Newton’s complicated sentences. Wonderful!
And most astonishing of all, Ansa’s English gets steadily better as she talks with Newton. Here are excerpts from what she says (I am meant to be talking about the film o, but I am quoting Ansa. Come to think of it, which Nigerian singer had that hit, Baby don’t cry, please don’t cry… Ansa baby… Na Tony okoroji?)
‘We go back’ Ansa says. I will not include Newton’s responses (make una go buy una own copy)
‘we free?’
‘What’
‘But you serve they eat’
‘Tell me what they do’ Etc, etc. With effortless charm she warms her way into Newton’s heart.
Now for the best part of the movie.
John asks her name to which she replies ‘Ansa’. Then she asks his name. He replies like 007. ‘It’s James, James Bond’, but in this case, ‘John. John Newton’.
‘Ha! John John Newton. Good man!!!!’ she says.
From that time till the end of the film she calls him, John John Newton, so naturally. None of that obvious, garish slap stick comedy Nollywood is known for.
Hearing and thinking about John John Newton is still bringing a smile to my face.
Last scene has an English choir sing Amazing Grace followed by a rendition of the same by Maria Davies’ daughter (Chika Chukwu). She (Chika) sang with all the trimmings. It was like Ogbono with Shaki, Cow leg, bokoto, show boy, panla, efritin dey. Black women can sing sha.
At the end of the film Sammie Okposo (Una sabi say Sammie will always deliver) and Abayowa Ojuyah sang Amazing Grace while the credits rolled.
By then I had finished my Guguru and groundnuts totally satisfied.
THANK GOD THE FILM ENDED WITH MARIA DAVIES (JOKE SILVA) AND DAUGHTER (CHIKA CHUKWU) AT JOHN JOHN NEWTON’S TOMB STONE. THE MAN DON DIE. FILM DON FINIS.
AMAZING GRACE 2?
JETA AMATA, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.
Babawilly. (Apprentice film amebo). http://babawillyentertainment.com. Myspace.com/babawilly

Kilimanjaro

2007-05-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

Kilimanjaro
Introduction
I am currently reading a book entitled – The Call for a performing generation by Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock church Lagos. I guess I am the first person to take this book up Kilimanjaro.
An interesting fact - the Logo of Rock Publishing (Publisher) looks like a book hewn out of one face of Kilimanjaro. This book seems written for me.
On day 2 of our climb I was in my tent reading a House on the Rock book while listening to Hillsong on my MP3 player (on top Kili the big volcanic rock); how ironic.
Chapter 2 of the book – What’s in a name – talks about how our names and .the names of given us by our fathers hunts us down. Joseph the dreamer was used throughout the book as the prime example.
I identified with the book because my father’s name was Jacob and that name got mentioned a few many times in the book. Jacob’s name was changed to Isreal and the rest is history.
My mother’s name is Charity and I find myself doing charity work.
Enough perambulation. Now,to the gist.
Why Kilimanjaro.
Was watching God TV when an old man said ‘its like climbing Mount Everest, not many people do that’. I cannot remember what he was even talking about but the words stuck like glue on my brain.
As Everest is too much wahala, I decided to practice with Kilimanjaro.
I didn’t know where to start. I read an article on a Doctor who was planning the journey to Kilimanjaro and noticed in the article that he was going with – Discover Adventure (DA) and so I gave them a ring.
Preparation.
Fitness- A good level of fitness is advised. DA send out an exercice programme of daily walks etc. I didn’t use their programme as I was on my own fitness regime. I was later to find out that altitude is no respected of fitness.
Clothing- A full list of clothing materials is provided (akin to the boarding house list used in Naija). List includes sleeping bag, sleeping mat, waterproofs, jackets, thermals, trekking trousers, warm hat and gloves, cap, Sun block (I been think say black man no need am; (see pictures), whistle, water bottle, torch light, head etc. All expensive. A good walking boot is a must. Underwear and socks must be changed daily. The maxim to bear in mind is - you look after your feet and your nyarsh at all times (excuse my French).
Language
Swahili is the main language although a lot of Tanzanians speak English.
Shahili words to know are-
Jambo- Hello or Goodbye
Asante Sana- Thank you
Pole pole – Sowly slowly
I actually bought a CD with songs with these titles which I can e-mail to anyone who wants it on MP3 format
Charity- I did it for Sense and my target was £5000 although they expect a minimum of £2,5000. I intend to pass any surplus to the Deaf school in Lagos.
Risk limitation- First to bear in mind is you only die once. Next is to ensure life insurance is in order (in case of incacity!).
Then there are the immunisations. I chop needle sotey my hand bend. I took Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B (not required for trip but mine had ran out), Typhoid, Tetanus and Diptheria, Yellow fever and Meningitis C. On top of that I come nak Malaria tablets- Lariam (fit make person craze) and Diamox for altitude sickness prophylaxis ( I no sure say the thing work).
History in the making.
No one in my village has climbed Kilimanjaro before although rumour has it that some witches did a symposium there in 2003.
One cannot authenticate their claims so to all intends and purposes na Babawilly first reach Kilimanjaro from Ukuagbe Village. E ! Eyeeee! Or should I say Halelu ! haleluyahh!
THE JOURNEY
Outbound Friday, 7 October 2005
Drove from Birmingham to Q-Park long stay, Bath Rd, Yaba. Heathrow and left my car there for 10 days. Took shuttle to Heathrow Terminal 3 and boarded 21.50 hrs flight to Addis Ababa via Rome.
The flight arrived 9.05hrs next day. E bi laik saw Ethiopian Air no like Naija man. The pilot put serious heater on or perhaps Nepa take light for where their aircon dey. Na heat dem take finis us all. Headache plus vomiting – all join. In the heat I had to make corrections on my poetry collection – My time as I needed to e-mail corrections back to Birmingham from Addis Ababa. I will not forget that flight. When mai moni come una no go ever find Babawilly for economy lai lai!
Saturday 8-10-05 12.40hrs depart Addis to Kilimanjaro via Nairobi (na so we dey pick up passenger laik say na Molue we dey). Finally arrived by 16.40Hrs.
Tanzania.
Airpoort in Arusha and we travel 1 hoour to Ameg Lodge in Moshi. Nice fenced compound with 2 gate men. E bi laik na Warri we dey only say Nepa and armed robbers no dey here.
The drive from the airport to the Lodge went through various shanty towns. It felt odd driving past African proverty as me sef black laik dem. I see my people dey suffer. Suffer dey Africa paparapa… so the song goes.
Meet my room mate for the night- Steve A teacher from Leeds. We would be sharing a tent for the whole trip. I introduced myself and informed him I snored for England. We switched on the television and it was Angola versus Rwanda. Fifteen minutes later Nigeria was not going to the world cup in Germany. Was a way to start! Persin wan cry but shame no gree me.
We arranged our stuff into 3 parts. One to be left behind at Lodge – including spare clothes, passport and wallet. The second was the rack sac to be carried daily containing water , toilet roll, medicines etc and finally the night bag- a second rack sac with is carried by the porters. PORTERS! PORTERS! I say suffer dey Africa paparapa…..

PORTERS.
Must stop to yarn about the porters. 2face talk say ‘me I get plenty things to yarn about eyee’. Well, he is not the only one. This trip is impossible without the porters. Naija man lacking in political correctness will call them ‘Agbero’.
For the 30 of us on the trip there were about 60 porters in all. They go before us in the morning to set up lunch. After the meal dem go wak chop remain, pack up and race to the night camp. Once there they set up the tents for sleeping and the 2 main dining tents.
Then they assist the cook with preparation and serving of supper. After meals they provide water for our bottles and clear up. Next morning they wake us up by bringing hot drinks – a choice of Milo, coffee or tea. Then they help with breakfast before dismantling the tents. Everyone then piles their second bag in a central point for the porters to carry. During the day they make detours to streams to keep up the water supply. 90 people drinking 4 litres a day plus cooking and washing requirements is a lot of water fetching!
On about day three up the mountain some poor guy is sent back down to get fresh fruits and vegetables. He then returns to the next camp with his load.
Suffice to say at the end of the trip we ll contributed $ 70 each to be shared amonst the tour guides and porters. As lvels dey , na he one wey tour guide chop remain e go give porter , abi no bi Naija talk say wetin concern Agbero with over load?
Walahi I go wake Bobby Benson make e come re-record im hit. Na so we go dey sing am-
If you marry Kili Porter
I don’t care
If you marry Kili Porter
I don’t care
If you marry Babawilly
God bless you
If you marry Babawilly
God bless you.
Eee! Eyeee!
THE BRIEF
Still 8-10-05. After dinner Ray, our Oga pata pata, ex- soldier and now a Paramedic gave us the ‘rules’. A bit like Brad Pitt in the ‘The Fight Club’ or should I say like RMD in em, em, em- me I no too dey watch Nollywood sef, OK like RMD in Violated 1 ,2 or 3. Na wa.
Rules are you don’t overtake the lead guide, if you wan piss for bush tell persin before you disappear make dem wait, if you must, (how do I say this without causing offence) do No 1+1 then you can leave the deposit behind the rock but the tissue paper must return with you.Simple reason is that above the tree line toilet paper and any other litter will remain for many years to come. E bi laik make you put yua dorti tissue paper for fridge, Tuffia!. Everyone was given a ‘black bag’ to store their used tissue paper. Na tht time persin come talk say we dey lucky. Im friend tell am say for some trip wey dem go, both tissue paper and deposit had to be kept till they came dowm. Chenike! As everything for rack sack dey plastic bag what if persin mistake toothpaste bag for…… Abeg e don do.
Other rules were drink 4 litres a day, look out for each other and eat as much as possible.
Doctor come brief us- anybody wey dey take melesin make e hands up or forever hold im piss (excuse the pun). E talk say if anyone collapse for top of mountain, no bi dat time you go come talk say you be Hypertensive. Small small everybody begin talk wetin dem been no declare for medical form.

Treking starts!
Sunday 9-10-05
Car ride to Machame Gate. We walked up for 5 hours through forest and camped at Machame Camp at 3100m. Una sabi say I be London and Niger delta pickin. All na sea level. 3,100m high o! Na yam?!
First mistake- felt sorry for porters and carried almost 13kg in my rack sack. Persn wan die! Tomorrow will carry as little as possible.
Night was cold. Shared tight tent with Steve. Both of us long pass the tent. See suffer as persin bend knee as space no dey to extend leg.
Monday 10-10-05
My first birthday on a mountain! This very time in 1964 my mama was still pregnant.
Sweet mountain, I mean sweet mother
I no forget you
For the suffer I dey suffer, I mean suffer wey you suffer for me o!
The group sing the happy birthday song to me at breakfast. How kind of them. No cake though.
We climb onto Shira plateau walking for 5 hours.
We camp at Shira caves; 3,840m. During the day while walking one switches to automatic pilot. You just keep on walking, hour after hour with eyes fixed on the path. The tour guides encourage with ‘pole pole’. On the small track we keep left when porters approach. They walk with the strength and agility of mountain goats. Some dey even smoke join.
Tonight it rained all night. I shivered to nonsense. By 2am I when out to wee. When I turned round all the tents looked the same. Chineke! Who send me this Kilimanjaro wahala? If you climb wrong tent, woman scream you, don become rapist be that. Na so I dey shiver for darkness with head torch for head laik South African miner till I find my tent come zip am open. See smell of boots wey greet me. Chai!
Tuesday 11-10-05
Another birthday, this time Kim. We sang at the breakfast table. All my body ached and there was no appetite. Ray the oga encouraged us to eat for fuel. Me wey I no dey chop breakfast for house. Dem come sef one kain Oats eh. The thing be like a hybrid of Ogi and Popo garri (tapioca). Man chop but nausea follow. For some reason I assumed mobiles and transitor radios will not pick up signals. Na lie. People were texting and receiving calls. You could even listen to the news in Swahili, (Understanding am na different thing).
As we come dey waka forest finis we enter moorland. All the A3 in geography wey I take shine for St Finbarr’s Akoka begin return to my Okuta Oblongata (Na real grade, no expo). African rift valley system, collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates. E bi laik I don take all the knowledge drink garri. Na the Bible knowledge one sweet me pass ojare. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, case closed.
We walked pass moorland into a lunar desert. Rocks, dust and more rocks. There was a strange looking plant, Like Palm tree were gather Kwashiokor. Shunts trunk with leaves at the top – Senecio Kilimanjari.
Reminded me of all those cowboy films. When I was young I wondered why cowboys woke and climbed their horse begin go. No baff. Shebi none of us don baff. Nobody dey baff onto mountain o! No wonder Moses vex when im reach down dey hear hip hop music. Forty days of suffer. No be say im get porter to dey carry im load. Na commandment e dey write , no chop. Chai!. If na Babawilly I for homicide Aaron one time, break all the tablet of stone on im cranium make e see as e sweet. Golden calf ko golden delicious ni.
Anyway, we walked up to the ‘lava tower’ at 4,800m (for acclimatisation) and walked back down to Barranco Hut at 3,900m). Talk about the grand old duke of York! Which kind yawa be this? Going down I lost co-ordination and gave my bag to a porter called Freddy who looked sixty. He had to carry a rucksack on his back and one his chest. E dey smile as e sabi say I go do something for am.
That evening I was extremely tired. The group doctor came over for a quit word. He felt I was struggling and may have to send me down if things didn’t improve tomorrow. I was disappointed but wetin man go do?
I slept well that night and was reciting a song to myself through the night
those who wait on the lord, shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings as Eagles. They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Lord I wait, Lord I wait one you.
That night I dreamt I was in a battle with a vampire like creature. Suffice to say I brutally stabbed it through the heart. (God punish wicked people dem/ Holy Ghost fire burn dem!).
Wednesday 12-10-05.
Today na today. Before us was Barranco wall! A huge climb. First we descend into a ravine then started the rocky tiresome climb. I had fire in my belly today. Scree formed the terrain. Now when I sneezed onto my white tissue paper it was full of dusty catarrh. The temperature slowly stated to drop as we gained height. The views were fantastic. Today I got really scared. It was at kiss the rock time. Here the path came to a point were a big bolder stuck out. You held a rock with your left hand then swing your hand hand and foot across to the other side then get pulled up. If you fell backward at the point, its all over. We all kissed the rock successfully. It was interesting to come to a stream to stock up on water. The Glaciers at the top melt and provide a constant stream. Without the streams climbing the mountain will prove difficult. We put Puritab tablets in the water 30 minutes before drinking. It taste like drinking out of Federal palace hotel’s swimming pool.
We walked for about 8 hours to Barafu camp at 4,600m. Na here trouble start.
The plan was to have supper and sleep for 3 hours then wake up at midnight for the all night walk towards the summit. Dressing for the summit meant layers and layers of clothing which we all slept in.
By the time we were woken up at 12.10am I never even enta gear one of sleep. Bodi no bi fayawood!
Thursday 13-10-05; 12.30am
With head torch in place we started the walk towards the summit in darkness. One had to fix one’s yes on the path as a wrong step could mean injury. By about 5am I began to wane. By 6.30am the journey was over for me. I was going so ‘pole pole’ I had to stop. Ray our oga their his best to urge me on but I was just to nauseous and exhausted. I porter was found to take me down. The sun was rising over mount Meru and it began to warm up my frozen toes. I told the porter whose name was Whitey to give a chance to rest. He advised we go back down due to the –10C temperature. Inactivity will make us hypothermic. Na lie. Man nak rack sac as pillow begin dose. Next minute I was vomiting profusely. Better out than in as they say. I dosed and froze for 1 hour then began the climb down stopping to catch my breath every 10 minutes. I tried my water bottle and it was half frozen. After a drink my temperature dropped and I started to shiver.
Whitey offered to hold my hand and I refused. E neva bad reach so.
We walk down for a few hours and it soon became obvious I couldn’t make simple decisions such as where best to place my foot when faced with different stones.
Whitey took my hand and lead me like a child. We got to Mweka camp at 3,000m and I promptly fell into deep sleep. I soon woke up and began to cry. I have too many problems in this life. How can I get so close and have to turn back? Is that not like walking over to success and taking a photograph with it but not actually achieving it? At least my pickins will know the direction of success (what ever success means) as their Papa don should dem, I thought to myself in consolation. But to be lead down like a child. Nobody has held my hand and lead me anywhere for years. Not since that riot broke out when I won MR Uniben in 1983 (or was it 1984?) and had to be smuggled out of the main auditorium at Ugbowo campus to escape flying bottles. I still remember lying on the floor of Chinaku’s car. (Me sef, I be coward sometimes o!). Then there was my late father who lost his sight and had to be lead like a child. I cried for all my problems then dosed.
The rest of the group came back and we were all too ill for super. There was so much leftovers tonight.
I slept very well at Mweka camp tonight.
Friday 14-10-05.
Today O!
I will lift up my hands in praise
For I know
You are always there for me
Almighty God
You are my all in all
No matter what I face
When trouble comes my way
I will praise you Lord.
This Wale Adenuga wey write this song. May God bless am well well.
In good spirits today. Having breakfast when a scream rent through the air. We saw a group of porters running down hill with a strecher held up high. On it was a White lady in her early fifties screaming. Suddenly it went silent.
I wondered if she had broken a leg. Our two group doctors ran off to see what was going on. Next minute there was a frantic rush for the medical bag. I left the table with another nurse.
It looked bad. A cardiac arrest at 3,000m. Work start. All the camp watched from afar as we battled for almost half an hour or so to bring back this woman to life. I have seen many deaths during my medical career but this one was painful. I have my sun glasses on so I could cry some more in peace. I was absolutely drained. Just who send me message? All my problems seemed so far away (as Beatles talk). I just dreaded to think that someone will ring her relatives with this news. It was too much for me. I just put on my headphones and listened to Micheal W Smith. That one sef wan make person cry more.
Brief
Ray our oga gathered the group and explained what had happened. It was time to go down. The mountain operates a one way system You go up an ascent route which differs from the descent route. This makes sense as some of the paths are quite narrow.
Going down hill was not easy. My toes were squashed at the front of my boots and painful blistered ensued. The thought of Ameg Lodge spurred me on. It was down through beautiful forests to Mweka Gate where lunch awaited. Most didn’t eat as we all wanted to get back.
It was nice to be back in the real world again. In the Lodge we had a welcomed shower. My neck was well burnt. That night was the celebration dinner and award of certificates.
When I see the certificates of those wey reach Uhuru peak wey say- congratulations for reaching Africa’s highest peak then come look my own wey say - this is to certify that Dr W Orhiunu attempted the highest peak in Africa- my eye come red. Attempted ko attempted ni.
Me I dey go back next year! (And I need a big Naija sponsor like Glo or MTN or or or … )
That night I stayed in and read The call to a performing generation till 2am. The passion of the Christ came on. The beating scene fear me. I know say na acting but make comot face after a while. I learnt a lot tonight.
Saturday 15-10-05
Off to Moshi town for gifts but first we had to change money. When with Ruth, Carol and Douglas from Glasgow. We looked like JJCs in town. Found a bureau de change and changed at $1 to 1000 Tanzania Shillings. Local guys no gree us rest. Everyone had something to sell. I got gifts and music and then it was back to the hotel. Packed as we get up 3am for flight back. Goodbyes to those staying behind for Safaris and extended holidays. A few staying back for charity work.
Sunday 16-10-05
Up at 3am. In the coach at 3.30am. Got to airport and had to sit around after checking in. Then its take off at 6.20am to Daressalam (like Molue to pick up passengers) which is south. We then come back pass Kilimanjaro to Nairobi. Then it is off to Addis Ababa. We arrived at 10.45am. Hung around the internet café at the airport till take off by 12.50 pm . Off we go to London via Rome. We wasted about 40 minutes in Rome before heading to London. Touched down by 9pm.
Got to Q Park and was sitting in my car by 10.30pm. Walahi, I had forgotten how to drive but ‘pole pole’ I made it home.

Dr Wilson Orhiunu
Babawilly
Babawill2000@yahoo.co.uk
View Pictures of trip on http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/2040682
Dr W Orhiunu. PO Box 12835. Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham. B73 9ED.
home Page - http://babawillyentertainment.com
Myspace.com/babawilly
Quoted Music from
Bobby Benson- Taxi Driver
Fela Anikulapo- Army Arrangement
Prince Nico Mbarga- Sweet Mother
2Face Idibia- Nfana Ibaga (No problem)
Wale Adenuga (Fountain of Life)- Today O.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to all who made my trip possible. God bless my children who constantly inspire me to be the best that I can be.
Thanks Eddy Arouture for the Tanzania Visa forms, all my patients for their love and concern, (dem fear say I fit no return), Shelagh for the extra bag, Sutton Coldfield News, Sutton Coldfield Observer, Doctor Magazine, Resurection Life Assembly Birmingham for love and prayers and God almighty for saving my bacon up that mountain.
God almighty na you bico!

Edited version of this article Published in The Guardian Nigeria; Saturday 19th August 2006 9In Funke Treasure's column)

Me

2007-05-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

BUSH DOCTOR IN THE CITY. 8

2007-05-28T13:01:00.001-07:00

BUSH DOCTOR IN THE CITY. Vol 8.
(Nightmare in the Jungle).
Every Bush Doctor knows this one thing. As sure as the moon will turn up at night and the sun will rise in the morning, so will nightmares come. Medical nightmares that haunt you till you are long retired. Tonight is one such night. Read on.
They were on the sixth keg of palm wine when they heard the rustle in the bushes. Though somewhat intoxicated, the Bush Doctor knew he had an emergency on his hands.
The hospital was empty. The local witch Doctor was having a sale. ALL STOCKS MUST GO. TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. BUY ONE JUJU AND GET THREE FREE.
The patients knew a bargain when they saw one. There was absolutely nothing to do. That is until now.
A man and three helpers carried a comatose woman in her late thirties and dropped her at the Bush Doctor’s feet.
‘Help. Do something!’ the husband said without introducing himself. There was no need. The patient’s pale skin and bulging abdomen spoke clearer than an African coup plotter’s maiden broadcast.
‘A ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Too late though. She will die’ said the Bush Doctor.
His four drinking companions became sombre.
‘A diagnosis and prognosis with only one look. This palm wine must be strong’ said Mumu the farmer.
The husband collapsed on the ground crying. It was 8 o clock and already the Jungle choir of crickets had started to clear their collective throats. The Bush Doctor was in no mood to operate. His Bush nurse had been out all day visiting her oyinbo oil worker boy friend. He wasn’t in the mood for doing a post mortem tonight.
Mugun spoke up. ‘Doctor, try for the man. At least hear him out’
The Bush Doctor didn’t know where to start. Without his Bush nurse he was useless. She was the voice of kindness here. She had the heart and compassion. She loved the people. All he had was knowledge and dedication. No tact and no compassion.
And more importantly he didn’t know where the bush Nurse had kept the Emmergency AutoTransfusion set. Without a blood transfusion it was no use operating.
He was sure of the diagnosis. He worked to a very simple and strict rule. The Jungle medicine rule.
All women were pregnant and had SLE. If they fainted they had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. All men were trying hard to get someone pregnant. All inhabitants of the jungle had Malaria and were HIV positive. All those above 50 years of age had an undiagnosed cancer and were both Diabetic and Hypertensive. And finally all children and adults above 70 years of age will be dying shortly.
The husband spoke up. ‘She had been having shoulder and tummy pains. Got weaker over three days. We travelled 2 miles by canoe to get here and while in the canoe she screamed and her belly came up. She has been unconscious ever since’.
He broke down crying. The three people who came with him joined. Mumu and Mugun joined in.
‘So you want me to do a post mortem?’ asked the Bush Doctor.
The crying became louder. Everyone looked at the Bush Doctor hoping for some miracle.
‘OK, we will operate’ he said. The husband knelt down and hugged the Bush Doctor’s legs in thanks.
Mugun and Mumu carried her straight into theatre; for that was what they called the bamboo table in one of the big rooms. The Bush Doctor lit a fire and began to boil some surgical instruments.
There was no fuel for the electricity generator so the helpers all held up torch lights as the Bush Doctor cleaned the abdomen with iodine and then began to infiltrate the skin down the midline with local anaesthetic.
The Bush Nurse came running in.
‘Never been so glad to see you!’ exclaimed the Bush Doctor. ‘And how is your lover?’
‘The swine. Asked me to sleep with his dog while he filmed the action. Said he would pay $300’.
‘Did you?’ asked Mumu.
‘What kind of girl do you take me for. Of course I took the money before breaking a beer bottle on his head. Insult!’ she sucked her teeth as she spoke.
‘This one might survive, now you are here that is’ said the Bush Doctor.
‘Ruptured ectopic?’ asked the Bush nurse as she slipped on her gloves.
‘Are you people using juju? How do you know the diagnosis?’ asked Mugun.
In seconds the instruments were laid out on the trolley and they were ready to go.
The Bush Nurse had put in an intravenous cannulae and had drawn up the Ketamine and Diazepam.
‘Give her 50 milligrams Ketamine, 10milligrams at a time’ said the Bush Doctor as he made his incision into the skin from just below the belly button all the way to the pubic bone.
Mugun fainted.
‘Let another man take his torch. I cannot see’ screamed the Bush Doctor.
The Bush Nurse ran round to stand opposite the Bush Doctor. ‘You ready to eat my dear?’ asked the Doctor.
‘When ever food is ready darling’ she replied.
‘You people are wizzards o! You are joking over someone’s open belle. Una no dey fear’ said Mumu.
The Bush Doctor made the decisive incision and there was blood everywhere. The Bush Nurse was ready. She just kept on going with her Emergency Auto Transfuion Set . She siphoned every last drop of blood into three bags which would be re transfused back into the patient.
Mugun vomited on the floor and the room acquired the smell of stale palm wine.
‘Where I dey?’ he mumbled.
‘Salpingectomy done, now I can stitch up’ announced the Bush Doctor.
Mugun was now back on his feet.
‘Get out of my theatre you drunk’ said the Bush Doctor.
‘You call this a theatre? And what film are you showing eh?’ replied Mugun staggering towards the door.
‘Horror’ replied the Bush Doctor.
The husband who had stood in the corner pointing a torch light to his wife’s head spoke for the first time.
‘Nurse, watch did the good Doctor cut out?’
‘There was a pregnancy growing in her tube. It burst and she was leaking blood. The pickin wan kill im mama but God no go gree’ said the Bush Nurse.
‘Amen o. She go fit born again?’ he asked.
‘How many children you get?’ asked the nurse.
‘Five’ he replied.
‘You dey craze! You really want to kill this woman. As soon as I finish this stitching Mumu will hold you down on this table while I do your Vasectomy. Nonsense. Bush Nurse, oya, return to sender. Transfuse the blood back in’.
The police arrived 5 minutes later. They stood at the door of the theatre.
‘We have come to arrest your nurse; assault and battery’
‘Assault of who?’ asked the Bush Doctor.
‘An Oyinbo oil worker. He sustained a scalp laceration following a blow to the head 3 hours ago’ said the Chief constable
‘Wrong person. My Nurse has been assisting me in theatre for 8 straight hours’ said the Bush Doctor.
‘Our mistake sir’ said the Chief constable.
To everyone’s surprise the patient was talking 2 hours after the operation.
‘I am Queen Amina of Zaria. Before that I lived as the Queen of Sheeba’ she said.
‘She dey craze?’ asked her frightened husband.
‘No, it’s the Ketamine making her confused. The medicine wey I take do am operation. She will be alright’ said the Bush Doctor.
They were all soon outside drinking palm wine and laughing about the events of the day.
‘My darling nurse. Did you say it was $300?’ said the Bush Doctor.
‘Ehen?’
‘You know I am a surgeon.’
‘So?’
‘Ahhh, all surgeons must have their cut o’ said the Bush Doctor.

But not so for the BUSH DOCTOR IN THE CITY. He had an easy day today.
12-3-07. AN. 23 year old man. Too much stress. Dog died. Neighbour’s music too loud. Father died 15 years ago and not gotten over it. Needs a sick certificate for 4 weeks.
SN. 22 year old lady. Last sick note ran out.
‘What was written on last one?’ I asked.
‘I don’t know. Check you computer’
‘But you are the one too ill to work. Surely you must know which illness prevents you from working.’
‘OK, I have back ache, Hay fever, IBS, Knee pains and don’t you tell me its my weight. That’s all I get from you Doctors. Its my weight this, my weight that. I have a slow metabolism. Actually, now that I am here, do you know about Leptin resistance? I read about it on the internet and I think that is what I suffer from’ she says.
‘That will not prevent you from doing a job’ I said and regretted the utterance instantly.
‘Easy for you to say. You have never been fat. I see you in the local papers, running marathons, climbing mountains. I bet you don’t smoke’
‘I don’t’
‘See, and you judge me. As soon as I work in, do you smoke this, do you smoke that. You think it is easy to just stop like that?’ she rants.
‘Please may I remind you that I am actually meeting you for the first time.’ I say.
‘Well your colleagues, well you are all the same’
I see the last entry in the computer was General Debility (what ever that means). I gave her 6 months off and tell her that for purposes of continuity of medical care she sticks to seeing only one caring medical professional. My colleague! Anything for a bit of peace and quiet!