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New Orleans is the Lost City of America.A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Fund. The cooks, servers and restaurant workers of New Orleans have provided fabulous times and memories for millions. Now we must remember them in their time of need.
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Lagos, NIGERIA - We have often deluded ourselves to a sentiment that stars exist only in the sky. But in truth, they exist in other places that we do not see or because they are hidden from us, we feel hidden firmaments do not have stars. But because some of us know that there are stars in places other than the sky, we have chosen to see them. At neighbourhood fields hidden from us, these stars twinkle. In local gatherings, they are celebrated because they are nothing other than heroes. To those who come to see them, the television stars only play second fiddle.
Steve Ogah From the hidden lairs of the south to the exposed desert of the north, these stars roam uncelebrated or reckoned, yet they never loose their luster or shine. Recently in Igolo, Benin Republic, a star appeared to me. Then one followed. Then another. Then I was in a galaxy of stars of a backward firmament. They deserve to be in front of a zooming lens. They are worthy of a hearing over our radios. They deserve the front pages of our magazines and tabloids. And our pages deserve them too!
MATTHEW FEYISETAN leads the galaxy. He is a young football (soccer, for you Americans) player with a lot behind him. He tells me, "I have played for Customs of Ogun, Abueide Babes and Horsejack of Mushin, all of Nigeria" I am impressed further when he mentions a divis ion one team, Mogas 90 of Benin Republic. With them, he went across the African continent playing continental soccer a couple of years back.
A "Utility Player", he calls himself. But he prefers to marshal the midfield for his current club, Eseoir Igolo, a division two side in the Beninoie league. He looks forward to great things when he tells me, "I hope one day to play professional football in England. I have a dual nationality, but I wouldn't mind playing for Nigeria if I get called up"
Like most young stars, he is easily inspired by the sublime soccer artistry of Nigeria's Football captain, Jay Jay Okocha. But when he looks back he says "I was really inspired by the Ipoki Local government chairman's cup that I won in Ogun State in 2003"
ADEBO MUSTAPHA is also a star. His tender frame belies his dreams. "Football is my profession and I want to play it to the top." When we talk, I steal into his eyes and see the sentiments in them. Surprise. Trepidation. Elation. They all mix in him as he dreams of his hopes and his face in the media.
His skills shine better in the defence of his Igolo local team where they train in "Koto Olomi". It is in this "ditch of water" that his hope of professional Football is kept alive. He wants to be like his idols at Barcelona of Spain, Deco and Eto 'o Filis. He believes that can happen as he looks forward to a National team call up.
"I am an Ogun Challenge Cup winner, 2005" Adebo enthuses. "But I want to wear more medals in the nearest future". I cannot do more than to add prayer to his dream. Indomie of Sango is the current team of this young Nigerian.
GANIYU FADELE is a shining star at Eseoir Fc of Benin Republic. Because Eseoir means "Hope" in French, Fadele believes he can keep his dream of professional football in Europe alive. And why not when he has being "playing football for a long time". He is proud to inform me he has played in the "Sports Festival". A defensive midfield role is what he likes most.
But there is greater joy in playing for "Les Ecureulis" of Benin Republic, so he looks up to it as he looks up to his role models, Midchael Essien and Didier Drogba of Chelsen Fc.
With more parental support, he hopes to win more medals other than the League one of 1994.
MURITALA FADELE is the head star of Eseoir Fc. "I am a top striker", he speaks softly. And when I ask for how long he has being "top striking", I am told: "I have being playing for a lot of grassroots clubs in Benin for a long time."
Muri, as he is fondly called, has his eyes on Italy for professional football. His huge frame convinces me that he can withstand the power play of the Italian league. He finds a model he wants to follow in Barcelona of Spain Eto 'o Filis. Like his brother, he looks forward to playing for Benin in the nearest future.
NASIRU JIMOH is a petite star with the heart of a lion. He came into the scene just as my discussion was rounding up. Yet he smuggled it to me that he was with Eseoir Fc, with European dreams in his head. He is from Benin Republic.
AYINDE YUNUSA is a baby faced star. This young Beninoie defender likes it a right full back for Eseoir Fc. He too thinks Europe is the place where he will play his best football yet. I wished him well as my discussion ended with him.
The overwhelming feeling among these young people I have encountered is that of joy. This is brought about by the fact that they are being recognized as the true stars that they are even if they do not play football in the most lucrative leagues.
Matthew Feyisetan walks with me to a club official and retrieves his photograph for me. Then we begin a slow and easy walk as he insists on accompanying me for a while. It remains so. For it begins to rain angrily without much prior notice.
"I have to hurry back now. We are resuming at the camp today." Matthew says and totters away, head bowed in the rain.
"You have my best wishes," my voice travels in the downpour. The rain is heavy. I can not hear his voice again.
Our Miss Ebony 2005
The last time Paulica Edim stopped by the World's Magazine,we predicted she was going to be a Beauty Queen. Now she returns as one. She talks about her new life with Steve Ogah in Calabar, Cross River?State. Nigeria.G21:You?were? a model? the last time i interviewed you. Now?I am priviliged to sit with Miss Ebony Cross River, 2005. What is the feeling like to be a Queen?
Paulica: Oh, it's quite challenging and it's not as if the crown is heavy, but I must tell you it's exciting too.This experience is humbling at the same time.
G21: How do you mean?
Paulica: I mean I am excited that all my efforts all this while have fetched me something to be genuinely proud of. On the othrer hand, I have just realised that there are many things I really cannot do again.
G21: Like what?
Paulica: I can't stay out late with my friends or pop into any party that catches my fancy. I have to watch the company I keep and all that image thing I hear about.
G21: Are you finding this new way of life a radical departure from your previous life?
Paulica: No, no, no. Don't get me wrong. I am simply reacting to constraints that were there all this while but I really did?not see them. Under normal circumstances, I sure do not like to keep late nights, not unless I have a schedule that demands that.
G21: Let me take you back to the pageant night. What was the major sentiment you had?
Paulica: I just wanted to win. I think that was the most important thing for me. I entered into the contest because I felt I had what it took to win and?I do believe I still have it.
G21:And what would that be?
Paulica: I think the judges know better. However, most times contestants have to have other qualities apart from their beauty.
G21: Did you ever at any point experience stage fright?
Paulica: I'd just come out of the Afric Magic show and I had the huge experience of Miss Cross River behind me, so I was able to control it.
G21: Is ths new status?not affecting your life as a student?
Paulica: My management team has being very helpful. I am not finding it hard to balance the things I do. By and large,every consideration is being given to my academics. My crown is not suffering [,either]!
G21: How are old friends relating with you?
Paulica: I believe I am still the Paulica they have always known.We do things like I am a nobody. And in all honesty, I am still down-to-earth.
G21: This is it for you.?I mean you are not going into any contest again?
Paulica: Well, I can't at this stage put a full stop?to it all.?I see this crown as a stepping stone to other things that I want in life.
G21: I know you love Halle Berry and Naomi?Campbell. Have your role models changed?
Paulica:(Laughs) sorry, you don't know all of them. You didn't add Oluchi and Abani Darego, the former Miss World.
G21: Wishing you the best in all you do and thanks for sharing your time?with me.
Paulica: Thanks too for having me again?in your magazine.?
© 2005, GENERATOR 21.
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