What was the feeling like playing for the super Falcons?
It was a very good feeling, I enjoyed my time playing for
Falcons. In fact I was on the verge of being one of the
greatest player for Nigeria then, but due to my predicament
and the issues that I faced I couldn’t really explore fully my
potentials. It is very painful as I had a lot to offer, but my
predicament stood in my way.

As a former Falcons player, did you experience any
form of discrimination?
Very well, I was discriminated against on my occasions,
especially when it was established that I was a
Hermaphrodite some started ganging up against me, some
didn’t even want me to play football at all. Basically, it was a big problem that I battled with, but I tried my best not to be deterred, I overcame the whole issue without allowing it to bother me because I felt I didn’t create myself so I moved on with my life without letting it disturb me.

Where did you have the surgery?
It was done in California, Los Angeles in the United States of
America.

Who funded the surgery?
It was funded by the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
minister who is now Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam
Nasiru El Rufai, while Alhaji Muhammed Abba Gana, both
jointly footed the bills, they were the one who put smile on
this face, basically, these two powerful are the ones who are
behind my new masculine look.

Why did you opt for the male gender?
Actually I didn’t opt to be a male just because I wanted to be
a male, a lot of test were carried out on me home and
abroad and it was detected that I have more of the male
system than female. So at that point, I have no choice than to settle with the gender that is appropriate with my body system. More so, the thought of being a father someday runs through my mind every time.

What was the feeling like playing for the super Falcons?
It was a very good feeling, I enjoyed my time playing for
Falcons. In fact I was on the verge of being one of the
greatest player for Nigeria then, but due to my predicament
and the issues that I faced I couldn’t really explore fully my
potentials. It is very painful as I had a lot to offer, but my
predicament stood in my way.

As a former Falcons player, did you experience any
form of discrimination?
Very well, I was discriminated against on my occasions,
especially when it was established that I was a
Hermaphrodite some started ganging up against me, some
didn’t even want me to play football at all.
Basically, it was a big problem that I battled with, but I tried
my best not to be deterred, I overcame the whole issue
without allowing it to bother me because I felt I didn’t create
myself so I moved on with my life without letting it disturb
me.

Where did you have the surgery?
It was done in California, Los Angeles in the United States of
America.

Who funded the surgery?
It was funded by the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
minister who is now Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam
Nasiru El Rufai, while Alhaji Muhammed Abba Gana, both
jointly footed the bills, they were the one who put smile on
this face, basically, these two powerful are the ones who are
behind my new masculine look.

Why did you opt for the male gender?
Actually I didn’t opt to be a male just because I wanted to be
a male, a lot of test were carried out on me home and
abroad and it was detected that I have more of the male
system than female.
So at that point, I have no choice than to settle with the
gender that is appropriate with my body system. More so,
the thought of being a father someday runs through my
mind every time.


How did you take it?
I have to resign to fate, it is very painful though but what can
I do. Like I said earlier, age is not really on my side now,
maybe if I can lay my hands on coaching I think I will do
well.

How is acceptance like now as a man?
Well, people are beginning to get used to my new look, they
now address me as a man, people now call me James
Johnson, and this really gladdens my heart.

Which part of Nigeria are you from?
I hail from Uvrogbo Village in Isoko South Local Government
Area of Delta State.

What has been your relationship with your former
female mates in both club and national team?
Many of my former team mates still welcome me, they don’t
discriminate in fact they still see me as part of them. We see
ourselves as one big family, we still do many things together
even when I am no longer in the group with them.

How much do you need to do the final surgery?
I still need about N12 million naira my doctor says I have to
stay in America for a year, so that he can monitor me for 12
months. Actually, since I have to be there for close
monitoring for about 12 months part of the money will be
used for feeding, accommodation and other needs.

How is the relationship like now between you and the
opposite sex?
Truth is I am loved by women, there is no doubt about that.
Many ladies want to be around me, I think they share and
understand my plight, that explains the love from them.


When you had the surgery, was it easy adapting to a
new gender?
No, it was a big task for me in the beginning adjusting to a
new system altogether. I had to change everything about my
former self, my dress mode, attitude and even ways of life,
“my brother you too try to imagine it, you will realise what I
went through”. But all I can say right now is to thank God, I
have now adjusted and accepted my fate.

What are the things you miss now that you are a man?
Seriously, I can’t say I am missing anything, I opted to be a
man because God wanted it to be so, otherwise he wouldn’t
have allowed the male hormones to overshadow the female
hormones. I am not regretting the step I took, because it is
actually the right step.

Do you have a girlfriend?
I have someone very close to my heart, she stays in
America, in fact we have been very close friends before my
surgery. So between both of us anything can happen, but I
have to complete my surgery before I can even think of
having sex with a woman.

Which capacity would you like to serve Nigeria now?
I want to become a coach, I want to impart football
knowledge whether male or female. I am available to coach
anyside in any age grade, I call it giving back what I have
learnt over time.

Have you called the attention of the government?
I was invited by the former first lady Mrs. Dame Patience
Jonathan to Aso Rock in Abuja during their tenure, the ex-
President started to show concern on my matter towards the
tail end of their first term in office but since they weren’t re-
elected back into office my file has been left unattended to.

What effort have you made to reach this present
government?
I am working on reaching them, in fact, this interview is
another avenue to reach them. The truth is we know how
things work here, one has to meet up with the protocols and
processes involved.

What about your own state government?
I have tried to get in contact with the government in my
state. The immediate past governor of Delta State Emmanuel
Uduaghan promised to help foot the bill for my final
surgery, ever since I have been waiting yet nothing
happened, then I decided to write a letter of reminder but it
wasn’t treated because election was coming up at that time.
I have been speaking with the current governor, Ifeanyi
Ikowa and he told me that he is still re-assessing my file but
till date nothing has happened. I really want the Ministry of
Health in Delta State to also come to my aid, they should
come to the rescue of one of their own.

Source: www.naijagists.com/photos-iyabo-abade-intersex-nigerian-athlete-needs-money-to-complete-sex-change-surgery-in-america/