Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Photos: Community rally behind Ethiopian woman disfigured, blinded by acid attack by her abusive husband after she asked for a divorce
Doctors, teachers, and complete strangers from across the Bay Area, California,U.S, are rallying behind Atsade Nigese from Ethiopia, who survived a brutal act of domestic violence when her husband poured acid all over her face and body.
Speaking through her friend who served as an interpreter, Nigese says her husband, who was a federal police officer in Ethiopia, regularly beat her and broke her teeth.
But one night, a year ago, after she told him she wanted a divorce, she said he threw acid on her.
But one night, a year ago, after she told him she wanted a divorce, she said he threw acid on her.
Nigese is now blind with scarred skin. Her body is disfigured and even her own son initially rejected her, saying he knew her by her voice but could not identify anything else about her.
Menbere Aklilu of Richmond said she wanted to help. Two years ago, she helped another Ethiopian woman, who had also been burned by acid, something she said her ex-fiance had thrown on her.
Because of that experience Akilu, who also survived an abusive relationship, knew how to get Nigese a visa. And she flew to Ethiopia to retrieve Nigese and invited her to live with her and get some medical help. Akilu said she’d love it if Nigese could one day see again.
“I want her to get her vision, that’s my dream,” Aklilu said.
For nearly seven months, Nigese has been living with Aklilu. The two women, both from Ethiopia, share another special bond, one they don’t wish on anyone else. Both have survived domestic abuse.
“I see myself through her,” Akilu said. “I’m lucky I run from him. So today I have the ability to help others.”
In her short time living in the Bay Area, Nigese is slowly learning to become independent once again. She’s learned to get around using a cane. Three hours a day, five days a week, Nigese learns Braille and English, with volunteers at her side.
On top of that, doctors from the University of California at San Francisco are donating their time and talents to reconstruct her ears, eyelids nose and mouth.
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