Former Super Falcons player Iyabo Abade, now a man and renamed James Johnson, has begged the Nigeria Football Federation to assist him with the payment of N69.7m to facilitate a corrective surgery that will enable him bear children.
Johnson, a confirmed hermaphrodite, successfully underwent a sex change operation in the United States in 2004 with the support of the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. This came after a series of failed attempts to correct the abnormality that led to him being dropped from the women’s national team.
In a letter addressed to the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, Johnson stated that he needs a total of $160,000 (approximately N69.7 milion) to undergo the final two phases of the surgery that would transform him into a full-fledged man. He mentioned that the first and second phases of the surgery were already completed.
“Anytime l think that I can’t father a child, I feel broken, that’s why I wrote to the federation for financial assistance,” Johnson told our correspondent. He expressed hope that the NFF President, known for his “listening ear,” would help him achieve his dream of becoming a father.
Johnson, now 40 years old, was born a hermaphrodite, with both male and female organs. While it is a common occurrence in animals, it is relatively rare in humans. Despite the challenges, Johnson pursued his passion for football and was selected to play for the Super Falcons in 1997. However, his condition was discovered during his time with the national team, leading to the termination of his appointment as a female player.
The former football player is hopeful that the NFF will respond positively to his appeal and assist him in completing the final stages of the surgery, which would allow him to fulfill his dream of fathering a child
