Blog

She caused a stir when she refused to ‘save and swap’ herself on the ‘Big Brother show’ on Monday, but despite Karen’s ‘apparent lack of gamesmanship’, Facebook users continue to express their support for the Nigerian, writes BOBOYE ONDUKU.

Where do you place somebody who continues to defy numerous odds or someone who is all over the place today and tomorrow, is in a secluded corner crying?
Karen, one of Nigeria’s contestants in the ‘Big Brother’ house does not fit any mold, as far as the ‘Amplified House’ is concerned. She is a woman much maligned for her uncouth nature yet much loved for bringing it on.

When the model won the ‘Head of House’ task, most of her teeming fans were so pleased that reprieve had come the way of their choice contestant. In a rather audacious move, Karen decided to go against the norm and opted not to ‘save and swap’ herself; a privilege accorded every ‘Head of house’. The fact that she decided to do this in the show’s run-in elicited 89 responses 24 hours after the story was uploaded on the Show’s website on Monday, July 4, 2011.?

Lame or brave decision?
?“I don’t see anything brave about her decision: that was lame. This is a game, Karen,” Qaqambile Malundana posted on the ‘Big Brother’ Facebook page. He wants her to realise that those housemates she had refused to ‘swap’ will nominate her for possible eviction.

Ojoh’s post three minutes earlier by 1.49 p.m gave credits to the attitude of the Nigerian but not without some words of caution. “Honestly, she’s taking things for granted. Inasmuch as she’s shown bravery by sacrificing herself, I still feel that what she did is really, very risky. She shouldn’t take viewers for granted, especially her haters,” Ojoh warned.

There were those who just didn’t see anything wrong with the move of the Nigerian. Raquel Timotubo, Marine Abane, Martin Hall, Wendy Ofunne Francis, Damola Bolo and Tara D’Spectacular Being all loved their hero on the ‘Amplified Show’ the more. Timotubo equated her action to the ultimate sacrifice and posits that Karen has a heart of gold. “Don’t worry Karen, Africa will save you,” Abane wrote.

Hall advised Africa to put behind them sentiment, ethnic, religious and other differences to save “this lady of a selfless act that is extraordinary.” Wendy described her as a hero and wanted Africa and the world to see that not all Nigerians are bad after all. “Please don’t judge an entire country, because of one bad person. For now Karen is a hero, and she rocks for life,” she whipped up support.

Support and opposition from abroad
Support for Karen also comes from outside Nigeria. “Here in Zimbabwe, we are going to save you,” posted Farayi Mareesa. Helen De Robillard believes Karen deserves the money because she is real. “I saw she was breaking inside, not fake.

“She was truly hurt. I will vote for her all week” the South African revealed. Roselle Sackey Fibbs revealed that she cried with Karen when she stormed out of the Chat room in tears. “She was shaking, breathing heavily and then turned red. It wasn’t easy for Karen last (Monday) night. The whole day, she wasn’t her normal, hyper self,” the faceless Facebook user posted.

Adewale Oladoyin Ben was overwhelmed by Karen’s decision: “What an act!” An act Donchris Okere valued as worth a million votes. “Help, my fingers hurt… I can’t seem to stop voting Karen” Damola Bolo cried out.

On the flip side, Isaac Anyompeh was not deceived: “This was no show of kind-heartedness, whatsoever,” he began. “I acknowledge the braveness in Karen’s gesture, but after all, it is part of her game plan to bring you gullible ones into voting for her. The timing was good, the strategy too, but the person has always been some smooth manipulative and back-stabbing schemer,” the Ghanaian concluded. Anyompeh’s stand was buttressed by Kingsley Momor: “it wasn’t selfless; it was bone-headed at best, or suicidal at worst”.

An act to be imbibed by African leaders
Other posts went a step further to call for African leaders to emulate the Nigerian. “I hope African leaders are watching BB and can see what it means to be a leader,” Richard Aborisade commented on Tuesday. He wasn’t finished yet.

“We want a leader with the heart of Karen in Africa, leaders who are ready to lay down their lives for their people and not those who steal our commonwealth and run to Europe and America,” he laid his point to bed.

Glory Ogbonna was proud of her and happy to be a Nigerian, with people like Karen around her. She cried out with hope: “How I wish we all will have this kind of brotherly love among us. Africa would have been a heaven on earth.”

For all Comrade Maxwell Chineduh cared, Karen’s qualities as a good leader disclosed that Africa does need a leader like her. “I [will] vote for Karen for showing example of leadership for the people,” Chineduh stated.

Who can refute the overwhelming support the Nigerian has?
Umari Ayim spoke the mind of many: “Karen just won more hearts. Friendship over money, any day,” he said. The actual number of hearts and friends she has won will be determined by her ability to navigate the eviction waters this evening. Please just say it like Ayim did this evening, “Go, Team Karen!”