Mrs. Janet Ishi of
Orok Orok Street, Calabar, capital of Cross River State, is currently a worried
woman. The source of her bother is her eldest daughter, Eno, whose sexual
preference is less than conventional. Eno is a member of the city’s growing
tribe of lesbians. And they are found everywhere–civil service, army, police as
well as secondary and tertiary institutions.
Orok Orok Street, Calabar, capital of Cross River State, is currently a worried
woman. The source of her bother is her eldest daughter, Eno, whose sexual
preference is less than conventional. Eno is a member of the city’s growing
tribe of lesbians. And they are found everywhere–civil service, army, police as
well as secondary and tertiary institutions.
Queen, a dark-skinned beauty, told
TheNEWS that lesbians usually seek partners
among teenage secondary school, polytechnic and university students. Places
like Halls 8 and 9 (Winnie Mandela Hall), Female Medical Students’ Hostel and
the School of Nursing Hostel–all at the University of Calabar; Cross River
University of Technology female hostel, Federal Government Girls’ College
hostels and female hostels in private schools are pools where lesbians go
to fish.
Ufot, a 19-year-old girl Law student, told this magazine that
several girls approached her at the University of Calabar’s Winnie Mandela
Hostel, but she rejected their overtures. However, while visiting Abuja during
a semester break, she was introduced to lesbianism. “My sister’s neighbour kept
coming to our room to woo me each time my sister was out. She was the one that
bought this Nokia X3 phone for me and often gives me money. Each time I made a
move to return to school, she would weep and discourage me from going back. It
was when she travelled that I left Abuja,” she said.
several girls approached her at the University of Calabar’s Winnie Mandela
Hostel, but she rejected their overtures. However, while visiting Abuja during
a semester break, she was introduced to lesbianism. “My sister’s neighbour kept
coming to our room to woo me each time my sister was out. She was the one that
bought this Nokia X3 phone for me and often gives me money. Each time I made a
move to return to school, she would weep and discourage me from going back. It
was when she travelled that I left Abuja,” she said.
Lesbians, as heterosexuals do, also keep regular partners and
get jealous the same way.
get jealous the same way.
Adun (not real name), a journalist with a national daily,
narrated his experience with Cynthia, a girl he thought was going to be meeting
his sexual needs. “I took her out to all the nice places in Calabar just to put
her in the mood, but she was not forthcoming. I had to make some enquires about
her and was told by some people who knew her that she is a lesbian and that she
has two female sex partners in the neighbourhood,” he said.
narrated his experience with Cynthia, a girl he thought was going to be meeting
his sexual needs. “I took her out to all the nice places in Calabar just to put
her in the mood, but she was not forthcoming. I had to make some enquires about
her and was told by some people who knew her that she is a lesbian and that she
has two female sex partners in the neighbourhood,” he said.
A lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of
Calabar, Dr. James Akapama, told this magazine that the environment creates the
atmosphere that engenders same-sex relationship. “These people are young and
their minds are susceptible to corrupting influences. They may just want to
explore the experience, not knowing that they would be hooked,” he said.
Calabar, Dr. James Akapama, told this magazine that the environment creates the
atmosphere that engenders same-sex relationship. “These people are young and
their minds are susceptible to corrupting influences. They may just want to
explore the experience, not knowing that they would be hooked,” he said.
He warned that social influences beyond immediate pleasures can
change the direction of one’s life. Dr. Irene Aniyom, Director-General of the
State Action Committee Against AIDS, SACA, said lesbianism increases the spread
of HIV/AIDS in the state. She said statistics show that over 35,551 persons are
currently confirmed to be HIV positive in Cross River State. This figure, she
said, is obtained from tests conducted in hospitals, HIV test centres and other
medical facilities across the state.
change the direction of one’s life. Dr. Irene Aniyom, Director-General of the
State Action Committee Against AIDS, SACA, said lesbianism increases the spread
of HIV/AIDS in the state. She said statistics show that over 35,551 persons are
currently confirmed to be HIV positive in Cross River State. This figure, she
said, is obtained from tests conducted in hospitals, HIV test centres and other
medical facilities across the state.
—Emmanuel Una/ Calabar. Published on TheNEWS magazine
