By Danielle Lobito
Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel
Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniels aka Laila STMD is undoubtedly one of the most popular women in Nigeria. The mother of Funke Kuti (Femi Kuti’s ex-wife) is a mentor, motivational speaker, counselor, pastor, and life skills training consultant. She is also a women’s right activist. She was interviewed (Part 1) by a fabulous fashion designer, former actress, and ex-first lady of Akwa Ibom State, Uduak Umondak on His Word Made Flesh (KICC – Sky Channel 592).
Laila STMD opened up on her former abusive marriage to a wife beater, (Funke’s step father) who battered the hell out of her. She was pummelled for 13 years, and suffered from a broken rib, and jaw etcetera. Her wife battery experience was shocking, but interesting. He told her that he did not care if she dies from domestic violence.
She was married to a possessive socialite whom she called 'a fraud' because he portrayed himself as a perfect gentleman in public. He had a spilt personality, and was insecure. Her successful furniture manufacturing business dwindled after her husband constantly chased away rich, and influential male customers. Laila was petrified, and had to close down her factory in order to save herself from bankruptcy, and broken bones.
She disliked how some sisters of violent husbands supported their brothers rather than pity battered wives. It took her 13 years to fight back. One day, she ‘snapped’ and could not take domestic abuse anymore. She placed three knives into her pockets, and told him that she was going to commit murder suicide, which meant that she was going to murder him, and commit suicide. He ran into his study, and locked the door. For the first time in his life, he was scared of her. She said, “Violent men and robbers are cowards”. When they are powerless, they become cowards.
She violently banged the door, and told him to get out, and confront her. He refused to open the door. Luckily for him, her cousin talked her out of it, and calmed her down. She separated from her husband, and became a Born Again Christian. As soon as she gave her life to Christ, she stopped smoking cigarettes without counselling. He died some years after she left him.
‘I Married A Loser’, Says Towanda Braxton
Towanda Braxton scolding Andre Carter
Towanda Braxton is one of the famous Braxton sisters aka The Braxtons. Six Grammy Awards winner Toni Braxton is the most popular member of the family. About four months ago, on a reality TV show ‘Braxton Family Values’, Towanda called her husband Andre Carter aka A. Montellus C ‘a loser’ because he is not a successful author. He is a Business Administration graduate of Kennesaw State University.
The poor husband wrote books that did not sell, but he is passionate about book writing. Let us put it this way, he may not be ‘smart’ or wicked enough to spill the beans by writing a non-fiction book that would sell because he does not want to reveal extended family ‘secrets’.
If he had written outrageous things about the Braxton family, he would have smiled to the banks, and his wife would not have said that she married a loser. Towanda thinks being the breadwinner is a burden on her although Andre takes care of their children when she is on tour.
If your wife called you a loser on TV, what would you do? Is your husband a winner or loser? Andre Carter’s romantic book is Lips of a Strange Woman by A. Montellus C. Good luck! Other books by A. Montellus C are Crazy for a Man, Code D.A.N, 69 Ways and XY – What Men Want. It must be emphasized that on TV, he is known as Andre Carter, but as a writer he is usually A. Montellus C. On Facebook, he is Andre Montellus Carter (A Montellus C). Confusing? XY – What Men Want is by Andre Carter. It was published after his appearance on the 'Braxton Family Values' reality TV show.
I’ve asked [the TV network] to show more of my book signings, but they said that that has no entertainment value. In my mind, that means they’re saying black people don’t want to see that story. I think that’s sad. I told them that I was not going to be a part of season 2 if they did not show me in a different light…
—Andre Carter
For Braxton Brother-In-Law Andre Carter It's About Writing, Not Reality
Book Review: “69 Ways” by A. Montellus C.
andre carter braxton family values 69 ways
andre carter 69 Ways, pt. 2, #5
