‘MS didn’t kill Zara, ignorance did’, Yemisi Ilo blames Zara’s family for her death | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Monday 31 March 2014

‘MS didn’t kill Zara, ignorance did’, Yemisi Ilo blames Zara’s family for her death

Yemisi Ilo, a creative consultant and project manager, says she's been living with Multiple Sclerosis for nearly 10 years and feels that Zara Gretti’s situation shouldn’t have deteriorated to the point of death. She feels ignorance and not MS killed the singer, who passed away on Friday March 28th about a year after making her illness public. Read what Yemisi (pictured right) wrote below...

Read More at thenet.ng/2014/03/ms-didnt-kill-her-ignorance-did-yemisi-ilo-blames-zaras-family-for-her-death/ Follow us: @theNETng on Twitter | theNETng on Facebook
I also have MS and I am currently in Singapore – where by His grace I will finally halt the progression and hopefully and prayerfully reverse some if not all disability. I spoke to Zara on Tuesday. She said she was being given ‘Agbo’ to drink by her family and that it was killing her. Those were her exact words. I told her to not drink it. With an already compromised immune system – Agbo is bullshit. It is poison. MS is not malaria. I gave Zara clear details of exactly what she needed to do to try to get well. It isn’t easy at all - I should know but unfortunately for her, she was surrounded by very ignorant people at the end who felt that they knew best. I first heard of Zara when I read about her on Linda Ikeji‘s blog a year ago. I got in touch with her immediately and started a Skype friendship. I was in London and she was in the States (US). We spoke regularly.
When I went back to Lagos, we would WhatsApp and I would call her. When she came to Nigeria in October last year, I went to see her and she was surprised that she could move better than me! I organized the Battabox interview (which we did at my parents house). She said she didn’t want to live with her mum in the States – yet she had no one to look after her there apart from her mum. She needed someone. She even wanted to come and stay with me, but I am married with small children and my own MS issues were already enough for one house.

I am so pissed off, so angry, so fucking sad, teary and frustrated. If I had been in Nigeria, I would have gone to pick her up on Tuesday when I spoke to her. She was so desperate to leave Ogba. She said she had a return ticket to America and would try to leave ASAP. I gave her my neurologist’s number so she could get some steroids to help her get over the horrible relapse she was having. Also to get her to explain the condition to Zara’s family so they would realize that this was not an ‘Agbo’ matter. I have had MS for nearly 10 years. My walking has deteriorated and I am currently alternating between a walker and a wheelchair. Zara was worried that she wouldn’t get married and have kids – I told her that I had 4 kids and was happily married and continued to work and that there was hope. I have always been vocal about MS and even appeared on a ‘Moments with Mo’ episode talking about it. There are many Nigerians with MS – I know a few but they want to keep quiet. Their families are embarrassed. Why? I don’t know? It can happen to anyone at any time.

Granted, I am extremely fortunate to have the strength of character and a loving and supportive and enlightened family to deal with this HORRIBLE condition that has led to this opportunity for me to undergo Hemapioetic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) – Google it. It has taken donations from over 100 people to do this. It costs over $150k (N24,727,501). I told Zara that since she was a US citizen, she could get on a trial at the University of Chicago under Dr. Burt for free. I just want people to know that MS didn’t kill Zara – ignorance did. As well as our fatalistic attitude in Nigeria where everyone prays and no one takes action.

Thanks
Yemisi.
ead More at thenet.ng/2014/03/ms-didnt-kill-her-ignorance-did-yemisi-ilo-blames-zaras-family-for-her-death/ Follow us: @theNETng on Twitter | theNETng on Facebook

188 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well said Yemisi

Anonymous said...

the truth usually hurts, but love it or hate it, it's the only thing that can set y'all free

Millypee said...

I feel your pain but God knows best. RIP, ZAra.

Esterish esther said...

Hmmmmmm
Speechless

Anonymous said...

Yea..its true sha...rip]

Unknown said...

This is what happens when people would rather have faith than act! Even the Bible says 'Faith without works is dead' RIP Zara.

Anonymous said...

Awwwwww *Crying*.....God will not make us have any kind of sickness be it small or big!!

Desmond 2 d G said...

One of the factor and not the major.....but lack of our financial supprot highly contributed to her death.

BLAZER said...

LESSON LEARNT BUT IN A HARD WAY! SO SAD. MAY HER GENTLE SOUL RIP....AND BACK TO AGBO...MY MEN WEY DEY PATRONISE ABOKI MANPOWER AGBO...ABEGO. I HEARD IT KILLED ONE MAN LATELY HIS THING GOT UP ND REFUSED TO COME DOWN!!! EVEN AFROCANDY SEF RUN!...LOL

SWS said...

Kai! Agbo in 2014? RIP Gretta.

SWS said...

*Zara.

Anonymous said...

Chei! She is right oh! Fatalistic actions!

Anonymous said...

But you had a chance to help her by taking her in, which you never did. So before you apportion blame on the parents, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Cus some people cannot help being who they are, ignorant and all, but you who had the knowledge on how to deal with the issue chose to close your door when she needed you. You have no right to throw blame on anybody, no right at all

Unknown said...

Only if yemisi was single, am sure she will do more for zara but in everything she did the best she could. I never knew zara passed through all this pains which led to her death, is really painfull tho.. May her soul R.I.P...
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

truthbetold said...

OMG,ignorance kills faster than a disease,really sad,which sickness person no go hear?

BONARIO NNAGS said...

I'm not surprised,ignorance has led to the death of many Nigerians
May her soul continue to rest in peace

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA3310

Anonymous said...

woww!! well said. well said!

cute said...

I feel your pain. Sorry my dear God's will has been done. Wish u quick recovery.

Anonymous said...

Sickness dey this world...God will continue will save us!!!amen...rip zara

Anonymous said...

Why is African Society so backwards and ignorant? MS is a disease that kills your immune system and our people give someone with MS a drink that irritate her immune systems? Very backward set of people.

Unknown said...

Its not ignorance, its lack of finance

♥ ȊƦȋƺȟ ƘƦȋϻ ♥ said...

HMmm wat else cn I sai.bt dis agbo tyn is gettn out of hand,ma frnds sis give birth nd d baby wz sck nd again instead of tkin d poor baby 2 d hospital dey strtd givin him agbo nd d@s wat killd him...

Hassie said...

Wow. Sad.

Unknown said...

The mother no try at all shah...
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Hassie said...

Say no to "agbo" for everything.

Anonymous said...

Yemisi....an Australian lady travelled to Russia for a procedure with chemotherapy that halts the progression as Australian medical council don't allow it anymore....they took out stem cells prior to chemo and re injected it afterwards...I mean amazing amazing results it was caught early on she was walking with a frame falling over 5 months after surgery jogging running total opposite.....sad with Zara something was amis family support is paramount to recovery journey....seems as though that was minimal for her

Jade said...

When i heard the news of Zara's death purpotedly from MS on Social Media, first thing i thought was..."o shoot!!! I hope Yemisi doesn't hear about this now. This is the worst news ever!!! Knowing that Yemisi was in Singapore getting this new treatment...
I am so sorry to hear about Zara's death but Yemisi is 100% right. Ignorance kills us faster than anything else. I hope she finds the peace the world couldn't provide her with.
Thank you Yemisi for not letting this get you down (obviously, haven known you for a gazillion years i should have known it would do the opposite actually :-)...thank you for using this as an opportunity to let more people know that MS doesnt have to mean death...you are still one of the strongest people i know and like i tell you all the time...YOU INSPIRE ME...always!!! Love, Jade!

Anonymous said...

Agbo for MS??? That's crazy! she didnt have to die

Willy said...

Ignorance kills more than the actual sickness

Anonymous said...

am sooo fucking sad righ now this agbo self eh i think her family were ignorant of the situation at hand y would they choose to give her agbo anyway she's already dead and i only pray she rest in peace





#milito da great#

cute said...

I feel ur pain. Sorry dear. Wish u quick recovery

Mi Lady said...

Oh my God.. She was so close to getting help..mtew..we can't bring her back...and this agbo thing sef na wa..I almost got killed wit agbo until a specialist enlightened me.. itz ok to exercise faith but don't test God o.. Visit a specialist if you have serious med. conditions.. It is well.

Anonymous said...

I agree with her about the over reliance on God. So much would get done if some stopped calling on Him for a month and resolved to take matters into their own hands. God's a busy guy. How can He solve the problems in the lives of 170 mil plus people and the rest of the world? Fix the little things. You are in control.

Unknown said...

Omg... Am totally speechless.. Iv always wondered y Zara died wen her family are enlightened nd doing well... I was obviously wrong... Sooo sad

Unknown said...

Tell ds Yoruba ppl and dia Agbo oq

Anonymous said...

"Prayers " precisely what Our problem is. No work but just lazy to work and find out the facts about anything.

Pinkfunky said...

So sad indeed, Ignorance is a public health issue

Okoro said...

God knows best.

Anonymous said...

Ds is so so sad. Ignorance they said, is really a terrible disease.. Rest in peace my dear.

Unknown said...

She has said it all. Pls I think this message should go further than this blog. It's an absolute eye opener. A great loss to ignorance. May her should rest in peace.

BOOTYLICIOUS said...

third world mentality ...looooonnnng sigh. Yoruba people can like to drink agbo for Africa smh

Unknown said...

Omg... Am totally speechless.. Iv always wondered y Zara died wen her family are enlightened nd doing well... I was obviously wrong... Sooo sad

♠ V•!•©•T•O•R•!•O•U•$ ♣ said...

Very sad. RIP once again miss zara.

Anonymous said...

Zara wanted the "agbo". Perhaps she came to naija bcos of that, cos from the pics, she is not a baby and won't be forced if she doesn't want the "agbo". Anyway, RIP

Unknown said...

A society where everyone prays nd no action-my favourite naija quote of d year

Unknown said...

Agbo at this stage, backward thinking, agbor kills, my people perish cos of lack of knowledge, anyway zara's mum want d best for her but her best wasnt enuf (ignorance is a disease)

Anonymous said...

Thank you jare!! MS did not kill her period. The Nigerian society is just so fucking ignorant. Even her so called celebrity friends were not there for her. It's to be posting useless RIP messages on instagram ad showing their last conversation with her that they know! Nobody helped her, despite her practically begging! Nigeria and its people are shit.

Unknown said...

*Sad Face* still crying for Zara.

Anonymous said...

Mediicine after death.

Zenki brown said...

Wat tha heck!!! Agbo? Is it malaria??? So sorry. Well she's gone But sumone shud learn from dis. RIP

ary said...

She wouldn't be the first or will she be the last to die of ignorance! Sadly that is one of the biggest curse to plague Africa and the black man. Failure to understand what they should.

LILY said...

This is s sad...we all need to get more enlightend abt various illness so we wud be able to help whoeva is in need of it...i hope her family learns from this ignorance..RIP ZARA

FUTURE LEADER said...

SOME PEOPLE ARE SO HELPLESSLY STUPID AND A DANGER TO THEMSELVES AND LOVED ONES IN THIS COUNTRY. TO THINK ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS GOOGLE A SINGLE ARTICLE ON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. POOR GIRL DIED UNTIMELY.

RIP DEAR ZARA

Toronto Finest said...

Too sad to cry

Anonymous said...

While the ignorance in our society needs to be addressed. I deeply feel this article is too soon.

zibaintl said...

I suppose zara was educated and shld have known her condition.....even if she was given agbo by family, she shld hv known dat hospital is where she ought to be n nt agbo as medication.

Anonymous said...

She is an American citizen with a return ticket why was she treating MS here, and taking agbo, why did her mum not come for when her condition got bad hisss

AnnMarie said...

this is really sad. she mentioned some drugs on twitter, I guess she was combining it with the agbo. Ignorance kills

Anonymous said...

Agbo shouldn't be the solution to everything! Just sad! RIP ZARA

Anonymous said...

That's what happen when people are ignorant but decides to cover it with religion.

Most Nigerians are too lazy to read! Thank God for internet and Google; no one should be ignorant of anything if we can just read instead of spending time on frivolities.

Alexis said...

Awwww,Ignorance did kill dis Damsel...Rest In Perfect Peace

Eugenia Ekeji said...

I think ignorance coupled with frustration. Agbo is very dangerous in some cases.

Anonymous said...

What is MS pls??

Unknown said...

so sad , rip zara

ADAEZE said...

This is so sad! I pray this MS doesn't befall anyone else. Amen.
Rest in peace Zara!

Angie said...

She don die... no amount of finger pointing can/will bring her back.
Let's allow her to RIP; we'd just learn and move on.

*My R1.50c comment *

Unknown said...

There's definitely more to this, Yemisi may not have captured it all. This is why >>> http://bit.ly/1gH6I7E

Anonymous said...

Wat d full meaning of ms?? Dnt knw about it Pls someone tell me

Unknown said...

Hmmmn! RIP Zara, such a beauty nd innocent looking babe> all d ignorant fools i bet u all r happy now?

last baby said...

Really sad

Anonymous said...

Abeg go n sleep. Trying to flog a dead horse.. Ati ri e. This isn't time for blame game, they did wot they felt was best to their own knowledge. She's gone to rest so let's respect that. Why do ppl like using other ppls misfortune to climb. RIP ZARA....Chucky

Anonymous said...

true ignorance killed her with illo story I believed she is not poor or unexposed!

Amarachukwu. said...

Thanks for letting us know.

Anonymous said...

I knew MS didn't kill her. That disease is not that fatal. People are living with it

Unknown said...

At this modern era!!.....pls, people should stay away from these traditional medicines cos they aint isolated and characterised for there purposes. So its poison....#so sad. Ignorance trully kills more than the disease itself.RIP Zara.

Anonymous said...

What's is MS pls?

Anonymous said...

As a family that has lived outside of Nigeria they should b more enlightened than this nah.

DONALD said...

Linda I want 2 marry u cos I love u so much, I want 2 get married dis year n its u linda I want, I will try 2 get ur email n see if u can meet so dat I can propose 2 u, truly love u linda, I will b travelling 2 d US next week, hope 2 meet u when I return, am caring, romantic nice, handsome n also gentle, I have already discuss it with my parents n they said I should go ahead n talk 2 u dat u r goodlooking, hardworking, decent n respectful n that they like u, I will email u once I get back 4rm d states, I love u Honey!!!.

Bonita Bislam said...

Information is power and ignorance is a disease.well we keep learning everyday.and sometimes in a sad way.keep resting in peace !

Anonymous said...

God have mercy, let this angel rest!

See Interesting Stories HERE

Unknown said...

So sad. May her soul rest in Peace

Unknown said...

Linda, will it take a year b4 u can approve me. Not happy

Unknown said...

Oh God why?

Anonymous said...

Personally...I feel the woman should have took charge of zara and make sure she was taking out of ogba instead of letting her die like that bcos she doesn't want extra in her house. May her soul rest in peace. Lesson: Nobody can love u the way u will love urself

proper bini girl said...

Nigerians, igorant people. Everything is spiritual attack

Anonymous said...

Warris Agbo pls. The name alone sounds annoying

Anonymous said...

That was so stupid...how can u give agbo to a person with MS...ignorance is a bastard oo
*vanchuks*

Anonymous said...

Yemisi is so angry, so mad, so pissed. RIP Zara and I wish you well Yemisi with your treatment, recovery and ultimately cure from MS.

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable!

ChinChin said...

I was diagnosed with MS in 2005. Positive mental attitude and listening to my body is what is helping me as well as prescribed medication.

Anonymous said...

Are you mad? Did you not read the article? She did help Zara, in the way she could. She is also an MS sufferer, she gave Zara solid advice, always called her and skyped with her. How much help can somebody that is not your family give you? On top her own problem!! Lets face facts here....Zara's family let her down big time! Whether its through ignorance or just not having time for her!!

Anonymous said...

Well when you don't have control over your body and your limbs! You're pretty much like a baby!

ADANNE

Anonymous said...

How can you even say that? Do you think its easy having 2 people with the same ailment in one house? With 4 kids and a husband? Do you even know if she has enough room in her house? For all you know she may be living in a 3bed or 2 bed flat with her kids and husband. Haba. And she never closed her door, well, from what she's written anyway

Anonymous said...

I wonder wot d Nigerian ministry of health and NAFDAC are doing bout all these tradomedical people advertising well packaged agbo and herbal bitters all over the place. Some of them even employ so called doctors and call themselves doctors too. These " agbo/herbal doctors " are killers. There are even some expensive imported herbal medications being marketed by young Nigerians all over the place. These drugs haven't been tested or proven to cure d ailments they promise to cure. People just tell lies to sell these products at the expense of the lives of helpless patients. Please people,let's have a quest for quality healthcare i.e orthodox medicine like it is being practised in uk,us,Canada,Australia,south Africa,e.t.c ..let's stop partronizing quacks who only care about the money and not our health.

Anonymous said...

The disease; ignorance is in the air in naija #Trecking to america... #Ceejoe!

Anonymous said...

You just spoke my mind dear. Whoever u have d knowledge or ability to help, help them NOW!!! Don't wait 4 others to do it. I'm dissapointed in Yemisi 4 dis crap shes's sayin.. pls STFU Yemisi and let d innocent helpless soul Rest In Peace. *wipes tears*

Anonymous said...

This is really the question!! I didn't even know she had a mother, coz she seemed to be fighting it on her own! And the fact that she didn't want to live with her mother in the US speaks volumes of what kind of a mum she had!

ADANNE

Anonymous said...

MS = Multiple sclerosis. It's an attack of the nerves and spine. There's no cure for it at the moment and of it's not treated it eventually leads to paralysis. Google it sha and educate yourself.

ADANNE.

Unknown said...

Didn't u read d piece where she said she has 4 kids and married. I f her husband didn't allow will she fo against him? Always read in full and understand what it's written.

Wanday said...

This is not the time for one to be pointing fingers. Zara was an enlightened person. I am sure she sought the best care for her ailment. Her parents have just lost their child and I feel that more sensitivity should be observed.

Anonymous said...

Shut up jor! What do you know! She's stating facts here. How on earth can an educated person be treating an MS victim with Agbo! What the heck is that shit anyway....sounding like some traditional herbalist ointment!

ADANNE.

Anonymous said...

God will bless Yemisi, If you are not in this kind of situation, you will not understand. Thanks for tell it the way it is. A lot of families are this at loggerheads whether to go for this kind of treatment or not. With this kind of info they will now make up their minds.

Anonymous said...

God will bless Yemisi, If you are not in this kind of situation, you will not understand. Thanks for tell it the way it is. A lot of families are this at loggerheads whether to go for this kind of treatment or not. With this kind of info they will now make up their minds. Pls post Yemisi's details

Anonymous said...

With her family? Olodo, common be reasonable.

Anonymous said...

It wasnt easy for her,especially with her little children she gave advise and pointed her to the right directn

Anonymous said...

Jst listen 2 urself... I too knw dey kill @times! She's a patient too wif kids n husband... Wat wuld she have done? What if she had taken her in n d babe later died nko? Am sure ppl like wuld ave said dey used her 4 rituals... Its nt easy takin in a stranger u knw!

Unknown said...

That is the Problem at hand.. Multiple sclerosis .#next time google is ur friend.

Anonymous said...

What is MS? Stop being ignorant idiots. Open Google and read olodos.

Debbie Chelsea said...

Ouch!!!!! RIP Zara

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:54am you are not being realistic. Don't you know she is a married woman? You think it's easy to bring someone in just like that? Please be realistic. Rose

Anonymous said...

Just shut up idiot...just learn 4rm dis goat

Tee Jolly said...

Even if Yemisi is right she was HARSH about it. I can remember when Zara went on twitter last year to seek for funds but who helped her? Yemisi is a survivor of this ailment cos she has been able to get funds for her various treatments abroad and if she says she has been treating ot for ten yrs it means she has had it for more than ten yrs. Zara probably didn't even have proper diagnosis till the ailment had gone so bad into her system. So our WACK health system is partly to blame cos even when u ve cancer they will be busy treating malaria and typhoid. RIP ZARA

Anonymous said...

Am so sure u are senseless......4 her to contact her and lead her. to dis level means she is a nice woman and u dere sayin shit.......maggot mouth

Ogee said...

I can concur here as these were the common exchanges between Zara and myself. She ran from ATL where her mom was and dreaded living with family in Lagos. We were working to rent her a place in LAgos as she was adamant she wanted to go to Nigeria. But we prayed she didn't EVEN return to Nigeria as we knew she won't get the best treatment and advised her to stay in the states. The biggest problem is that most people abandoned her and the funds we had all worked hard to raise during her 'Donate Drive' were running out. I totally agree that this was ignorance... Nigerians believing that a miracle will come from heaven or native medicine will save her
And I thought hard about making this comment publicly but I am tired of Nigerians and their lack of assistance for one another, as well as their over reliance on prayer and miracles. Worst of all is their continued misdiagnoses and our relaxed response to it. These should begin to be criminal or worthy of law suits for neglect or malpractise

Anonymous said...

Why are people so foolish? Saying she had a chance to take her in but she didn't? That is a foolish comment! All I can say is if you having anything disturbing your health, face it and deal with it appropriately!

Anonymous said...

For the person asking MS is Multiple Sclerosis. It is a very serious and sad condition for anyone to have. Please google it. For the person who said Yemisi should have taken Zara in. Please read the article again. She has 4 children who are having to watch their mother battle through a very serious deteriorating illness, and you want them to go through it with someone else as well....that is not a fair comment. She also explained she is on a wheel chair. I know Yemisi and I tell you for her to always be optimistic and showing people that she is fine and coping with the illness shows her character. She is the most supportive person I know. I am just glad she is surrounded by family and friends who would do what they can for her and wished Zara had the same support. RIP Zara

Sara said...

Shut up ur silly mouth..dumb fool...who's gonna take care of two pple on a wheel chair in one house? D kids or her hubby? U think dey have it easy taking care of their mum? Ode oshi..u better think before talking....

Anonymous said...

A good woman once told me, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. #RIPToTheDead

-TheRealMotherfucker

Sara said...

Shut up ur silly mouth..dumb fool...who's gonna take care of two pple on a wheel chair in one house? D kids or her hubby? U think dey have it easy taking care of their mum? Ode oshi..u better think before talking....

Anonymous said...

Are you dense?she couldn't.her MS is even worse than zaras.her family including small children already have her to contend with.but typical of us Nigerians and majority of lindas contributors,we place the blame everywhere but at the feet of the guilty.
I'm so mad at your comment.

Anonymous said...

You must be a bastard! She has 4 kids to take care of!! She can barely walk. Did you read the article at all or are you just an idiot? She knew her own illness problems will not enable her take care of Zara. You clearly don't understand English. She's even in a wheelchair for Christ' sake. I could just slap your judgmental face!!

Anonymous said...

I dey tell u, and it's so annoying. I'm yoruba, but i don't support it.

MY TURN said...

Ignorance doesnt just kill but is a BIG SIN

Anonymous said...

Abeg shut up! What are you saying, mschewww

Anonymous said...

its so easy for another to pass a judgement on a family when you are not one. you dont know what happened in the family. do you know the pain her family must have gone through with her. do you think they want her dead. Yemisi is crazy to have come out abusing the family in this manner, why didnt she reach out to the family too to explain to them the best way to handle this. i dont think yemisi is fair passing this kind of judgement on zaras family. she has a part in the blame too

Anonymous said...

Are u stupid? Do u suffer from dyslexia and can not read to comprehend. She wrote that her MS has progressed far beyond Zara's, she has four kids and her own family...and that her sickness is enough for one family. How do u expect her family to take care of her in her state and Zara. Wouldn't have been too much for her family?
You dont blame the dead, but Zara brought dis on herself if Yemisi's narration is true. Shes a citizen of US, she had a return ticket, her mother lives in US..what was she looking for in Nigeria with her condition? Nigeria that pple still die of malaria in 2014...is her mother that bad that she couldnt live with her? Even at that, she would have gotten welfare assistance in the US as a citizen with that type of medical condition...
All this is medicine after death...God rest her soul...

Anonymous said...

When u don't have money to do the right thing, u end up doing the wrong thing ( trial and error). RIP Zara

Anonymous said...

Biko shut ur trap!all these illiterates that make ds blog look like a dust bin!didn't u read where she said her case was worse than zara's n dt she had little kids?she tried her best!she reached out.nonsense!u pple shld stop rubbishing ds blog wt ur ignorance biko!mtschewwwww*toni*

Anonymous said...

I was surprised at Zara's death too and i began questioning: Does MS kill pple that fast? I have always known MS as a medical condition that debilitate its victims but if well managed, i have read of people that lived with it for many years..RIP Zara.....and for Yemisi, i pray that God will give the doctors wisdom to help you and that your body will be receptive to all the medical treatments and revitalise itself...hang in there, the storm is calming for you...

Anonymous said...

Errr she is married 4 kids and a family taking Zara will just overwhelm her family. She did d best by advising and giving her contacts of people who could help her too. Please read well before u comment. MS helping MS that's like blind leading the blind. Zara could even walk better her. It's just unfortunate Zara didn't have the kind of family n support system she had. This is enlightening the lesson you should take from it is to surround yourself with enlightened people. Simple!

Anonymous said...

People with this type of sickness need govt support, not many people with this type of disease can afford d treatment, very expensive to manage. I pray to God to take u out of this MS yemisi.

Anonymous said...

People with this type of sickness need govt support, not many people with this type of disease can afford d treatment, very expensive to manage. I pray to God to take u out of this MS yemisi.

Anonymous said...

U re foolish!I wonder how some pple ve internet access.typical razz naija mentality!y'all think everyone is an attention seeker!fuck outta here!foolish tn

Anonymous said...

Nawaa oo giving her agbo for ms....they have killed her now make them go rest hisssss

Omolola Odunayo said...

Liars of highest order. Where would she have raised money for the treatment that cost so much money. Zara's family neglected her if the Agbo story is not made up. Bloggers for not supporting her to raise money. Nigerian musicians for not helping her raise money. Kapish!

Anonymous said...

I just finish chatting with her cousin and was informed that ZARA ran back to nigeria so that she won't be taking her medication...that she hates those drugs.

Apple said...

R.I.P Zara . but why come to Nigeria when you knew how sick you were? Again you are a US citizen? Her mum failed her.

ebonydoc said...

I guess anon 11.54am just felt like opening his/her gutter trap n spitting out bullshit! FYI, google is ur friend,so u shd find out wat MS is,so u can begin 2 imagine wat it wld hv been like for Yemisi 2 to hv taken Zara in!!! #kpom#

Anonymous said...

so she had the condition why did she not take the right measure? google is there internet is there discussion medical forums are there even doctors are there. in this day and age ignorance cannot be an option.

Unknown said...

Seriously, is nobody seeing how our screwed up health system is fucking us all up? Reliance on agbo? For something this serious? Complete lack of health information. Zero health promotion. People have to beg for funds from the nation to get treatment. Am so sad about this. And I completely understand Yemisi's anger

Anonymous said...

Agbo is not backward. It is herbs. It was used long before the oyinbo medicine came. This yemisi is talking talking talking. lets see if her $150k treatment will save her life or maybe its her obituary linda will be posting next.
Ignorance didnt kill zara. MS did.
Poverty accelerated it.

Anonymous said...

C'mon gerraway you!! Is she stupid that she would choose not to take drugs that would help her heal! All the pleasing and fund raising she was doing...was it for nothing? That's just her family trying to justify their fucking ignorance!! Stupid people!

Anonymous said...

Hian Donald, you discussed someone with your parents and she does not even know you. See all these men ba what is your true motive o!! Besides, this is not 1939, woo the girl first before you come and start proclaiming one lie lie love. You love her, why? Talk true o guy talk true. You sound like an opportunist. Linda is not desperate for love or marriage, some of you think you see a single girl and can throw your lie lie lyrics her way. Sittdown!!

Anonymous said...

The truth is that Zara didn't die of ignorance, she died because she didn't get the love and support a mother would give her daughter. Zara died because her mum didn't do enough..

Unknown said...

Which ever that killed her,just pray for God almighty to rest her soul..its so painful lossing someone you no?

Anonymous said...

This woman is an imbecile. You realise Zara did not have money and support systems ? Didn't she ask for money ? But of course bloggers ignored and even said she was "okay" now after the photo shoot. And what does your justifying do now ? Has she woken up ? You want people to know "ignorance" killed her because of what ? I'm just tired of people..least you can do is respect her..not all this "you want people to know". And if truly, Zara resulted to Agbo...then it's because she gave up on life and everything, because ahe lacked support system. Like I read in MI's screen shot of their chat on IG_Na she be her mama and papa.

Unknown said...

This is so sad to READ, I sent Zara a text to come to England too see below...

ME:
Watching your recent Clip almost brought tears to my eyes, you are such a sweet girl that doesnt have to go through this, may God in his infinite mercy heal you. I dont know how your family situation is, parents, siblings ..etc.. But I was just thinking, why dont you move to Europe (England to be precise) where you dont have to worry so much about Medical Bills? With what you are going through, you definitely dont need any extra pressure.. Please think about this proper... If you need to speak and want me to call you, just send your number and I will... You are in my thoughts and prayers.. I am in your conner remember that. Godbless you dear


Zara Margaret-Mary Joseph
GOD BLESS YOU SIR


Anonymous said...

Dear Yemisi, i saw Zara in her state, so i am glad you can afford stem cell treatment.
The agbo or not.
She was with grand parents, old people , they didnt have a dime to give her.
She couldnt afford stem cell treatment.
So ignorance and lack of funds killed her

Anonymous said...

Anonymous March 31, 2014 at 11:54 AM
She must remove the spec in her eye to be able to see properly to help her neighbor. It would have been unfair on her family to take in another ailing person. Don't be mean. If anything, she DID try to help! What was your part?

Anonymous said...

This article is very insensitive and too soon. Her family are still mourning. Some of us who barely know her are blaming ourselves for not doing enough for her. Imagine what her family is going through at this moment.

MS defers from person to person. Unless you are her doctor, you can't claim she had the same MS as you. While over 90% of people with MS live till old age, some MS deteriorate very fast leading to early death. There are a lot of variables in this case, like lack of funds, being in Nigeria when she is not yet in a stable condition, etc. It's too early to point fingers.

Anonymous said...

Yes that's exactly what Yemisi is doing in singapore right now. Stem cell transplant.

gbemi said...

Dunno why dirty idiotic razz ppl like ur self have to comment. U know u dnt have to, Xpecially if when u don't hv something reasonable to say.

Anonymous said...

There's room for self reflection by Yemisi too since she's blaming Zara's family for the death. She had an opportunity to take in Zara and teach her how to manage her disease but declined. I can hear her "Dear LIB" letter in my head. "Dear LIB, my dying friend wants to live with me and my family, but I'll say no for fear she'll snatch my husband..."

Anonymous said...

Exactly , they didn't hve the money so they did the best they could with what they had .

Anonymous said...

U are a fool,d woman is on wheelchair n u wnt her to bring someone she barely knew into her house SBI so if Zara died on her house nko? Goat main u b,if zara dsnt want to go wt her so she should force her?

Anonymous said...

LOL!!!!!.....@Stanley...LOL!!!!....can u imagine, we are still discussing abt ignorance and how google would have educated Zara'z family...and someone is asking : What is MS?...now, thats not ignorance, that is a marriage of stupidity and dumbness....for ANYTHING you dont know, save us some stupidity...#googleitfirst

Anonymous said...

My goodness! This comment is wrong...Yemisi you will not die but live to declare the glory of The Lord in the land of the living...amen

Anonymous said...

People who are cursing this woman out saying she hsould have taken her in are complete buffoons. So two severely ill people should be in a home together with young children. What about the man of the house, doesn't he also have a say in who stays there?

The truth is most people do not want to care for a sick relative after some time. It gets tiring and bothersome for them, especially if they do not have the funds to hire care. She is likely better off dead, at least she is out of her misery, and do not have to deal with the emotional and physical strains of an incurable illness.

Anonymous said...

Silly comment. She's a mom with 4 kids, and a full household. where's the room? Abi you don reach her house before?

Anonymous said...

You are a fool. That is all

ebonydoc said...

Dats crap! How did she purchase a ticket n get 2 d airport? Didn't her mum watch her get on dat plane enroute 9ja?hiss!

Anonymous said...

I swear it's so frustrating, the same energy they used to type the question is what they would use to search for the answer on google. Lazy f***

ebonydoc said...

U r a fOol! Its only a quack doctor like u dat wld allow an illiterate employ u! Goat!!! If u dnt hv ur facts, kip ur dirty ignorant trap shut! Haven't u realised dat d most commonly abused professional title in Nigeria Is "doctor"? Even an illiterate wld self acclaim being a doctors Even Pastors n herbalists n some delusional paramedics call demselves doctors in deir homes and deir localities. Wat a shame; 9ja has a long way 2 go!

Unknown said...

Look as much as Yemisi is trying to say her piece, the word family is a very broad word... I am Margaret's friend and I met her mother a few times. met her little brother whom she loved soooo much and her step father.. Margaret was in and out of the hospital here in Atlanta with enormous bills and inadequate insurance... insurance she couldn't improve because she was already ailing and that's against most policies. Marge's mom tried her best, bought the right foods n drugs n tried to put everything in the right rotation.

Marge's heart was in Naija amongst her peers. making music and doing what she loves and i can't say for a certain but HOPING THEY WOULD ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP HER.

and that can't be something deemed unreasonable. i definitely did my best and i'm not a star but i did what i could...

I was with Zara the day she took the news public... i saw her around her peers and though she was ill, her soul was lit that day cause Brymo (her boy) hung with her n spoke to her the entire time.. jagz, Ice Prince, 2Face n even Victoria Kimani and Zewdy (Ethiopian singer) all made her feel in a good place...

If any family was harming her, it wasn't hers but then again, u can't blame them.. marge didn't wanna be in yankee so she tried as many ways as possible to FLEE HER FAMILY HOUSE. every chance she got she would leave. even called about plans to get her passport n just go.

as far as this last trip where she was off to Ghana, i had no clue she even left Atlanta n i begged her to do as her mother said cause NO ONE LOVED HER LIKE THAT WOMAN AT THE END OF THE DAY... but Zara believed that her other family (entertainment fam) would eventually hold her down. i met Zara in 2007 through a Nigerian celebrity (won't say his name) and i approached him about helping Zara about a year ago n he said, bro i'd usually do what i can but I and Zara aren't in a good place right now... I can respect that. but i wasn't happy with it.

her mother was already spending time, money n doing as much as she could with providing chemotherapy amongst other things here in Atlanta and even thi I n Zara agreed that it was the Doctors here in Atlanta who first gave her medication that made her begin to shake or feel weak, i know she was better of here in America than in Naija (if she had no help)

Yemisi, agbo was a bad look but what family tho? not her brother and mother (who is going through a DIVORCE cause of Zara's situation n for the lack of a better word, insubordination. its the family she was running to the ones who left her in bed soaked in urine for days.. something her real family would never do???

i wasn't gonn say much of this stuff but Yemisi and whomever else thinks neglect came from her family has their story crossed!!

i can't go into details cause i'd get upset but ya'll don't seat there n chastise people for things they had no control over.. imagine Zara's mum reading these headlines after all she's done and tried to do or her little brother for that matter?!

i do not want to snap at Yemisi so i'll stop but the rest of u, please go and sit down somewhere with ur factless, blind remarks abeg...

ebonydoc said...

Dats crap! How did she purchase a ticket n get 2 d airport? Didn't her mum watch her get on dat plane enroute 9ja?hiss!

Unknown said...

I WAS IMPATIENT AND REALLY DIDN'T READ THE STORY.. I APOLOGIZE TO YEMISI. but yea, that's why the headline can't just be said or published the way it is.. cause when i read family, my first instinct was to defend her mother and brother who i've seen with her and according to Yemisi, her mum was always right.. she was trying to run back to Atlanta cause she knew those were the ones that really loved her... and even though i'm not ignorant, when this thing first happened it was rumored to be somebody trying to "do" her juju etc... why couldn't it b ethe same family that she went back to... the people in the industry FAILED WOEFULLY!!! I WILL NOT BACK DOWN ON THAT!! I NEVER SAW A POST OR ANYTHING FROM THEM UNTIL SHE DIED... DJ DEE MONEY, DJ ECOOL, TOKSDUTTIE AND A FEW OTHER PROMOTERS WAS THE BEST SHE GOT... MAYBE I MISSED IT, MAYBE THEY JUST DIDN'T CARE... i apologize again Yemisi... the headline however isn't exactly accurate.

Anonymous said...

Why did Zara come to Nigeria to live?..especially as a US citizen? Nigeria is not worth it...and she should've stayed with her mother...
Anyway it's just sad...and pray she is in a better place at Gods Bossom...no more pain ..

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! God dey! but guess what, There was no Money to help!!!! plus even if she went back to America, thats not going to change anything because you have to remember that America does not have a Universal health care system even-though you are a citizen or not. Plus, i guess this is a lesson for everyone out there, be your brother's keeper no matter what.

Anonymous said...

Her time was up period. No matter what anyone does she would still have died.

Anonymous said...

Rip Zara gretti

Anonymous said...

Either way @yemisi should av done better cos a single action dwarfs a thousand words #Skyped,whatsapp,BBM etc is nothing long as u failed to take her in which might have certainly saved her life. In d end all ur efforts comes to nought. RIP gretti #ZEUZ

Anonymous said...

U all shoud go to hell and burn into ashes.u are sitted dere blabbing.if u knew wat she was passing through,u wouldn't ve said all dis shit.yh am her niece and I understand more.thank God he is resting in God's bossom where there is no pain and argony.yemisi u beta thank God for ur condition and keep serving him.cos I don't know d essence of gaining d whole world and perish in hell.u all should give ur lives to christ cos he is the way the truth and the life.RIP NIECE.I miss u so much

Anonymous said...

Dear woman, please respect this woman's family. She loved them so much to consume this so-called poison. She was intelligent and made her own decisions. Don't point the finger. Maybe this is what she wanted. Rip Zara.

Blazing said...

Ur parents did not tell u to proof read or write real english

Anonymous said...

MS I firstheard of that when my dad was ill. I will not bore anyone with the details of thedisease. He died in 2009 at 70 and he hadlivedwith it since his mid thirties. Knowledge ispower andin this era of computer, blogs and easy access to info and somuch technology some thingsshould just not happen. RIP ZARA AND GET WELL SOON YEMISI.

Anonymous said...

She might have survived it if she was a British citizen. American health system is for the wealthy. ... That's what Obama has been fighting to bring an end to with Obamacare... UK NHS would have treated her without a cost

Unknown said...

Look as much as Yemisi is trying to say her piece, the word family is a very broad word... I am Margaret's friend and I met her mother a few times. met her little brother whom she loved soooo much and her step father.. Margaret was in and out of the hospital here in Atlanta with enormous bills and inadequate insurance... insurance she couldn't improve because she was already ailing and that's against most policies. Marge's mom tried her best, bought the right foods n drugs n tried to put everything in the right rotation.

Marge's heart was in Naija amongst her peers. making music and doing what she loves and i can't say for a certain but HOPING THEY WOULD ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP HER.

and that can't be something deemed unreasonable. i definitely did my best and i'm not a star but i did what i could...

I was with Zara the day she took the news public... i saw her around her peers and though she was ill, her soul was lit that day cause Brymo (her boy) hung with her n spoke to her the entire time.. jagz, Ice Prince, 2Face n even Victoria Kimani and Zewdy (Ethiopian singer) all made her feel in a good place...

If any family was harming her, it wasn't hers but then again, u can't blame them.. marge didn't wanna be in yankee so she tried as many ways as possible to FLEE HER FAMILY HOUSE. every chance she got she would leave. even called about plans to get her passport n just go.

as far as this last trip where she was off to Ghana, i had no clue she even left Atlanta n i begged her to do as her mother said cause NO ONE LOVED HER LIKE THAT WOMAN AT THE END OF THE DAY... but Zara believed that her other family (entertainment fam) would eventually hold her down. i met Zara in 2007 through a Nigerian celebrity (won't say his name) and i approached him about helping Zara about a year ago n he said, bro i'd usually do what i can but I and Zara aren't in a good place right now... I can respect that. but i wasn't happy with it.

her mother was already spending time, money n doing as much as she could with providing chemotherapy amongst other things here in Atlanta and even thi I n Zara agreed that it was the Doctors here in Atlanta who first gave her medication that made her begin to shake or feel weak, i know she was better of here in America than in Naija (if she had no help)

Yemisi, agbo was a bad look but what family tho? not her brother and mother (who is going through a DIVORCE cause of Zara's situation n for the lack of a better word, insubordination. its the family she was running to the ones who left her in bed soaked in urine for days.. something her real family would never do???

i wasn't gonn say much of this stuff but Yemisi and whomever else thinks neglect came from her family has their story crossed!!

i can't go into details cause i'd get upset but ya'll don't seat there n chastise people for things they had no control over.. imagine Zara's mum reading these headlines after all she's done and tried to do or her little brother for that matter?!

i do not want to snap at Yemisi so i'll stop but the rest of u, please go and sit down somewhere with ur factless, blind remarks abeg...

Unknown said...

Look as much as Yemisi is trying to say her piece, the word family is a very broad word... I am Margaret's friend and I met her mother a few times. met her little brother whom she loved soooo much and her step father.. Margaret was in and out of the hospital here in Atlanta with enormous bills and inadequate insurance... insurance she couldn't improve because she was already ailing and that's against most policies. Marge's mom tried her best, bought the right foods n drugs n tried to put everything in the right rotation.

Marge's heart was in Naija amongst her peers. making music and doing what she loves and i can't say for a certain but HOPING THEY WOULD ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP HER.

and that can't be something deemed unreasonable. i definitely did my best and i'm not a star but i did what i could...

I was with Zara the day she took the news public... i saw her around her peers and though she was ill, her soul was lit that day cause Brymo (her boy) hung with her n spoke to her the entire time.. jagz, Ice Prince, 2Face n even Victoria Kimani and Zewdy (Ethiopian singer) all made her feel in a good place...

If any family was harming her, it wasn't hers but then again, u can't blame them.. marge didn't wanna be in yankee so she tried as many ways as possible to FLEE HER FAMILY HOUSE. every chance she got she would leave. even called about plans to get her passport n just go.

as far as this last trip where she was off to Ghana, i had no clue she even left Atlanta n i begged her to do as her mother said cause NO ONE LOVED HER LIKE THAT WOMAN AT THE END OF THE DAY... but Zara believed that her other family (entertainment fam) would eventually hold her down. i met Zara in 2007 through a Nigerian celebrity (won't say his name) and i approached him about helping Zara about a year ago n he said, bro i'd usually do what i can but I and Zara aren't in a good place right now... I can respect that. but i wasn't happy with it.

her mother was already spending time, money n doing as much as she could with providing chemotherapy amongst other things here in Atlanta and even thi I n Zara agreed that it was the Doctors here in Atlanta who first gave her medication that made her begin to shake or feel weak, i know she was better of here in America than in Naija (if she had no help)

Yemisi, agbo was a bad look but what family tho? not her brother and mother (who is going through a DIVORCE cause of Zara's situation n for the lack of a better word, insubordination. its the family she was running to the ones who left her in bed soaked in urine for days.. something her real family would never do???

i wasn't gonn say much of this stuff but Yemisi and whomever else thinks neglect came from her family has their story crossed!!

i can't go into details cause i'd get upset but ya'll don't seat there n chastise people for things they had no control over.. imagine Zara's mum reading these headlines after all she's done and tried to do or her little brother for that matter?!

i do not want to snap at Yemisi so i'll stop but the rest of u, please go and sit down somewhere with ur factless, blind remarks abeg...

Anonymous said...

Look as much as Yemisi is trying to say her piece, the word family is a very broad word... I am Margaret's friend and I met her mother a few times. met her little brother whom she loved soooo much and her step father.. Margaret was in and out of the hospital here in Atlanta with enormous bills and inadequate insurance... insurance she couldn't improve because she was already ailing and that's against most policies. Marge's mom tried her best, bought the right foods n drugs n tried to put everything in the right rotation.

Marge's heart was in Naija amongst her peers. making music and doing what she loves and i can't say for a certain but HOPING THEY WOULD ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP HER.

and that can't be something deemed unreasonable. i definitely did my best and i'm not a star but i did what i could...

I was with Zara the day she took the news public... i saw her around her peers and though she was ill, her soul was lit that day cause Brymo (her boy) hung with her n spoke to her the entire time.. jagz, Ice Prince, 2Face n even Victoria Kimani and Zewdy (Ethiopian singer) all made her feel in a good place...

If any family was harming her, it wasn't hers but then again, u can't blame them.. marge didn't wanna be in yankee so she tried as many ways as possible to FLEE HER FAMILY HOUSE. every chance she got she would leave. even called about plans to get her passport n just go.

as far as this last trip where she was off to Ghana, i had no clue she even left Atlanta n i begged her to do as her mother said cause NO ONE LOVED HER LIKE THAT WOMAN AT THE END OF THE DAY... but Zara believed that her other family (entertainment fam) would eventually hold her down. i met Zara in 2007 through a Nigerian celebrity (won't say his name) and i approached him about helping Zara about a year ago n he said, bro i'd usually do what i can but I and Zara aren't in a good place right now... I can respect that. but i wasn't happy with it.

her mother was already spending time, money n doing as much as she could with providing chemotherapy amongst other things here in Atlanta and even thi I n Zara agreed that it was the Doctors here in Atlanta who first gave her medication that made her begin to shake or feel weak, i know she was better of here in America than in Naija (if she had no help)

Yemisi, agbo was a bad look but what family tho? not her brother and mother (who is going through a DIVORCE cause of Zara's situation n for the lack of a better word, insubordination. its the family she was running to the ones who left her in bed soaked in urine for days.. something her real family would never do???

i wasn't gonn say much of this stuff but Yemisi and whomever else thinks neglect came from her family has their story crossed!!

i can't go into details cause i'd get upset but ya'll don't seat there n chastise people for things they had no control over.. imagine Zara's mum reading these headlines after all she's done and tried to do or her little brother for that matter?!

i do not want to snap at Yemisi so i'll stop but the rest of u, please go and sit down somewhere with ur factless, blind remarks abeg...

Mma ino said...

This comment is for Anon 11:54. May God first of all forgive you for your stupidity.
Yemisi did the best she could for Zara. "Point her in the right direction". Zara had options being a US citizen. We can never understand why she decided to be here in Nigeria. Now, it is very wicked and unreasonable for anyone to even insinuate that Yemisi should have taken her in.
This woman's family have their own struggles and you want her to take in someone else? Do you want her husband and family to be overwhelmed? Do you think its very easy for them? If it is that easy, why is she having her transplant 10yrs after her illness? Did it ever cross your mind that her family may have had to save up for this treatment over the years while also spending money to manage her condition for the past 10 years?
Would it be fair on her family if she took in another responsibility for them. How many of you accusing her have taken in a random homeless person on the street before? or even assisted them even from a distance?
Let's have a conscience when we speak. Do not just say things because you have the ability to or you have access to the internet.
Yemisi tried in her own little ways, she understands the trials her family have been through for her. It would be very callous for her to add to their burden. She may have a very strong character from the way she sounds but no one can really understand what she has been through or have to deal with. I wish her a very successful procedure. Her husband, hers kids and her entire family deserve it cos the have been there for her all the way.
we can never truly understand what Zara's challenges were. There's no need blaming anyone one. She's gone. We can only wish that things were done differently by people around her. But please, you guys should leave Yemisi out of your blame game and pray for her to recover.
Rest in peace Zara.

Anonymous said...

na wa oh, sickness plenty ooh! which one is MS again naaah? abi it get full meaning? and what is AGBO? who is ZARA? #justasking# shaa


via official intercom

Anonymous said...

@anon March 31, 2014 at 5:23 PM you are a wicked soul.

Anonymous said...

Lets stop apportioning blame to the family of zara, I bet if they had the money they would have wanted the best for her.

And to Yemisi, thank you for highlighting issues of MS on Linda's blog.

I believe there should be an awareness drive publicised in the media, so others could learn from this.

RIP Zara.

ZeeZee said...

OK Kudos to her for speaking her mind but don't throw blame another problem like you highlighted Ma about people praying only is also criticizing out of pain. Atleast you could've mentioned all this without blaming her already grieving family

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 5:23 may God have mercy on you for your comment, you need Jesus!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7:24, you are a clown I swear

Anonymous said...

That's sad

Unknown said...

Amen.

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