Sunday 13th Nov. 2005
Sunday was boring, I did not go to church because I had no money, but at about 2:00pm I left home for Obalende to wait for the MSF (Doctors without Borders) bus at a friend’s place.

Member of TAM (Treatment Action Movement) were going for an outreach at the African Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja in Lagos with a journalist from the UK Guardian.

The main activity at the Shrine was just to educate the audience about HIV. We had ample time to do this, after which Femi Kuti came on stage. We left the Shrine about 2am for a reserved accommodation in the neighborhood.

Monday 14th Nov. 2005
I woke up around 7:15AM. We boarded the MSF bus back to Obalende, Lagos Island. Around 7.30AM, I took my drugs; we were still in the bus. I take my drugs twice daily, every 7.30AM and PM. On getting to the Island, I went to FRCN, 103.5FM to see the Controller of presentation who is training me in speech presentation. When I got there, I couldn’t see her because she was busy. We went off to see a friend living close by at Obalende and later came back to FRCN for AIDS online, an informative Radio programme on HIV/AIDS. Later I went to the office of AIDS Alliance in Nigeria (AAN) at Ilupeju. I closed with them and headed home.

Tuesday 15th Nov. 2005
The entire day was spent at the AAN office to rehearse the presentation of AIDS online.  The program staff corrected my mistakes and I was there till they closed. I headed home from there.

Wednesday 16th Nov. 2005
Feeling restless was at home throughout.

Thursday 17th Nov. 2005
I felt very tired and weak. So, I went to see my doctor at Stop-AIDS at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos-Island. After my complaints, she gave me some malaria drugs. But instead of going home to rest, the party freak in me took over, and I went to a friend’s birthday bash at Coker in Orile. I joined them to cook and was the M.C of the day. I left late for home.

Friday 18th Nov. 2005
I left home to see a friend at Ajao Road, Surulere. From there, I went to see a new friend at Nuru Oniwo. He was very nice, talked about himself, his girlfriend, job and family. I also told him the same thing about myself and my positivity. I educated him on the basic facts about HIV/AIDS and also gave him information about treatment.

Saturday 19th Nov. 2005
I was at Treatment Access Training (TAM) held at FHI/GHAIN office at Tisco Plaza, Ikeja. The training was all about the basic facts about HIV/AIDS and treatment information. The target audience was people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and TAM volunteers. On getting home, I took the malaria drug that was given to me.

Sunday 20th Nov. 2005
I was at the church as early as 7:30am. After church service, I went to see a friend at Coker village, Orile Iganmu. On getting there, I slept off. I was tired and very weak. I suspected the malaria drug I took the night before.

Monday 21st Nov. 2005
I was at home, knocked down by malaria fever. At about 12Noon, I went to see a friend. Later in the evening, I went to Moni’s house at Ajegunle and spent the night there.

Tuesday 22nd Nov. 2005
Woke up around 6:10AM, took my antibiotics, and went to take my bath. Took breakfast of rice and fish stew. I enjoyed it. I and Moni left for Ikeja. At Ikeja (Freedom House), we settled down to a session of interview with Steve Aborisade, Coordinator of Projekthope. We had Ice cream and later ate some rice. We also had a wonderful photo session.

Wednesday 23rd Nov. 2005
I went to Stop AIDS to collect my Anti-retroviral drugs. From there, I went to join some friends at YABATECH. Later, I went to YARN office at Alagomeji to meet with TAM group leaders, Hassana and Maryam as well as some MSF staff – Karen, Tobias and Els. TAM National Coordinator, Rolake was also there with the youth coordinator, Mayowa and TAM South West Coordinator, Bose Olotu. We were there to discuss the way forward for TAM and the 2005 World AIDS day celebration.

Thursday 24th Nov. 2005
I was feeling very excited and getting ready for ICASA 2005. I basically stayed at home, Moni joined later and I followed Moni to my cousin’s saloon to do her hair.

Friday 25th Nov. 2005
I woke up early to go to YARN office to meet with Mayowa to discuss about Treatment Action Movement (TAM) and the World AIDS day celebration. From YARN office, I went to MSF office at the General hospital, Lagos Island. I was also at MSF Head office at Victoria Island. Later in the evening, I was at a dinner hosted by Prof. Soyinka organized by Freedom House for winners of the Soyinka Award. Steve Aborisade had invited us. It was a beautiful time and a great honor to be with Prof. Soyinka. We took some photographs with him. From there, we went to MORTHERLAND to see Lagbaja perform. We were in the company of Mr. Bamigbetan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, whom we had met earlier at the dinner. We also met Steve with Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi and Sutton Eaves, a journalist from Canada at Lagbaja. It was a wonderful night.

Saturday 26th Nov. 2005
From Motherland I went to Moni’s house in the early hours of the morning and slept. I woke up around 10am and went to the market with Moni to get things ready for her sister’s wedding. We got back to Moni’s house, cook jollof rice and Turkey for invited guests. At the party, we dined and wine with the bride and groom and invited guests.

Sunday 27th Nov. 2005
I went to church at Ikeja (Overcomer’s Assembly International). The service was superb. My pastor rounded the month with the 4th session on the principle of winning mentality. From church, I went to see a friend at Maryland and stayed very late.

Monday 28th Nov. 2005
Was at YABATECH to submit my Course-Form for my extra year. I met my friends, went to Yaba market to get some things like Jeans, Shirt and food-stuffs. I got home around 1pm, prepared Amala and Vegetable soup and got ready to receive Steve Aborisade and Lukesh. I washed my clothes. Steve had an interview session with my Dad. After the interview we all went to meet Victor Olaore Omosheni at PATA’s office, to interview him. After a long day, I went home to put pen to paper for this diary. Later, I watched ‘when you are mine’, a soap opera on AIT between 9-10pm. After which I went to bed.

Tuesday 29th Nov. 2005
Left home early for Lagos-Island to see a friend. From there, I went to AIDS Alliance Office to have a mock presentation of Aids online. I then went home to await Steve so that we can go to Badia in Ijora for some interviews. Steve could not make it. I packed my things, getting ready for ICASA 2005, Abuja.

Wednesday 30th Nov. 2005
Was at the MSF office General hospital, Lagos-Island. I left the Island around 11:30AM and went to Ojuelegba. From Ojuelegba, I went to Casino with Moni to meet a friend where she went to repair her phone. From there, we went to my house and spent the rest of the day there.

Read my December diary soon.

Bye.

Aminat Ali

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