By Ademola Adedoyin Joy (D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
Kafayat Adeleke, the mother of the street hawker known as Sultan Adeleke but who goes by the name Eniola, engaged in a conversation with Mr. LilGaga, a prominent social media influencer, on Thursday.
In this interview, the 40-year-old mother offered an explanation for her child’s choice to present as a lady. She disclosed that Eniola’s physical condition is a consequence of his birth and that his deformity has piqued the curiosity of those who encounter him, leading to persistent questions about his appearance.
According to Adeleke, her son has been dressing this way in Osogbo since 2018. Whenever confronted about it, he would flee from home and persist in his chosen identity. She even expressed her affection for her son due to his uniqueness.
She shared, He always insisted on being addressed as Eniola instead of Sultan, and if I called him Sultan, he would simply not respond to my calls.
It was in 2020 when he traveled to Lagos to seek assistance from people while maintaining his portrayal as a girl, with hopes of garnering public sympathy and support.
Adeleke continued, You can come to Osogbo and see for yourself; he is my favorite among all my children. I love him because his physical condition has brought us attention and support. It saddens me when people inquire about it.
She further revealed that her son would often engage in makeup activities, a skill he acquired in Osogbo. Many times, she would accompany him to ensure his safe return home since he frequently ran away.
One day, he became upset and asked me to stop going with him, stating that he no longer wished to stay with me. That’s when he fled to Lagos, she explained.
She mentioned that she never asked him for money until recently when his story gained attention, and people extended financial assistance and gifts.
The mother also shared pictures displaying Eniola’s deformity from birth and his birth certificate, which confirmed his date of birth as September 23, 2005.
On the other hand, Eniola disclosed on Instagram Live that he is, in fact, a boy and adopted a female persona in order to elicit public support, as he felt no one was willing to help him otherwise.
Recently, a skit maker and comedian named Brain Jotter encountered Eniola while driving along the expressway in Lagos. Eniola claimed to be a makeup artist and also sold bottled water on the highways.
Impressed by Eniola’s determination to succeed despite adversity, Brain Jotter gifted her with N400,000 and encouraged Nigerians to support her makeup business.
The video went viral, with singer Davido even tagging the handle of the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, seeking assistance for the girl since she hails from Osun.
This situation has ignited controversy, with some individuals online asserting that the self-proclaimed female hawker is, in reality, a boy who has been assuming a female identity to gain public sympathy and support.
