THEWILL DOWNTOWN SEPT. 04 EDITION

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

BODY ENHANCEMENT

Despite Risk, Nigerians Covet the Perfect Body

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Your banking information such as the 16-digit card number, password, PIN, BVN, CVV or One-Time Password (OTP) is too personal to be shared with anyone.

If your phone is lost or stolen, dial *901*911# from any phone to deactivate your USSD profile and prevent fraud on your account.

Call us immediately on 01-2712005 or send an email to contactcenter@accessbankplc.com to report any suspicious phone call, SMS or email. #BanksDontAsk

PAGE 2

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

As humans, there’s one thing we need to practice more of, and that is to always celebrate both the little and big accomplishments in life. So join my team and I as we celebrate our 30th edition, a milestone in the journey ahead of our staff strength of 40 who strive daily to deliver news, analysis, and quality content across our platforms – print and digital.

8

CONTENTS

COVER STORY: BODY ENHANCEMENT DESPITE RISK, NIGERIANS COVET THE PERFECT BODY

In line with this, our team is evolving so we can always be the best at what we do. Ms. Onah Nwachukwu, formerly the Beauty Editor, is now the Acting Editor of DOWNTOWN. She brings over a decade of experience in both editorial and managerial capacity to her new role.

Also, award-winning journalist and writer, Ayodele Johnson, joins the roster as Senior Lifestyle Editor.

At your Bold, Fresh & Authoritative Sunday weekly publication, our aim is to always give you the best quality as we chronicle Culture, Trends, Fashion, Lifestyle, and Entertainment.

Moving on, it has been raining a lot more with floods in many parts of the country. Climate change remains a major issue in our world today. Take a look at the devastating damage Hurricane Ida has caused along the coastline of Louisiana, the rains and floods that followed in the States of New York and New Jersey in the aftermath. Some parts of Europe are also battling floods. The world needs to be aware of climate change and the need for each of us to do our part to protect the planet.

We are truly blessed in Nigeria. Imagine adding natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires to our current problems! God loves this country so our leaders must do better. I am a firm believer that Naija would once again regain its lost glory.

We have quite an interesting cover story this week, “BODY ENHANCEMENT: DESPITE RISK, NIGERIANS COVET THE PERFECT BODY”, focuses on a fast-growing social trend that a lot of Nigerians, mostly women have taken to. Our feature also takes a look at how this new frenzy is being championed by famous female celebrities and the internet. What could be responsible for this? Do Nigerian men play a role in the rise of this trend too as they are attracted to curvy buttocks, flat stomachs, and voluptuous breasts? Or are women simply doing cosmetic surgeries and body enhancements to please themselves, improve their appearance and boost their self-esteem? Well, dive into this week’s edition for this interesting read and other regulars on Fashion, Lifestyle, Beauty, and Entertainment.

Enjoy and we’ll be back next week.

Austyn Ogannah @thisisogannah

COVER IMAGE

O D D B O D & T H E C ITY

Travel in the time of Pandemic

L I V ING Beautify Your Bedroom With These 4 Minimalist Ideas FA S H ION Here’s What Your Favourite Nigerian Celebs Could Have Worn To Alta Moda W E L L NES S

Cycling A Lifestyle

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Acting Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Contributing Editor: Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity Contributing Writers: Boluwatife Adesina @bolugram Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs House Photographer: Rachel Seidu @rachelseidu Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Interns: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

B E AU TY

A Few Of Her Favourite Things: Bolanle Olukanni

T H E R E V IEW

Jungle Cruise

S P E C I A L F E ATU R E

This Crippling Lagos PTSD The Dangers Of Profiling S Ó R Ó S O K E D O W N TOW N

Charles Born

04 05 06-07 12 13 14 15 16 PAGE 3

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

ODUN OGUNBIYI

ODDBOD & THE CITY

Travel in the time of

Pandemic anything or any problem until we are checked in and sitting in the lounge waiting on the flight.” She got this ultimatum about five days before we got out of dodge as I was trying to juggle work, packing her, packing me, and getting everything sorted and paid for on the other side.

PHEW

Getting through Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) was a mission, but our people were up to the challenge. Just make sure that you have ALL your documents printed out and ready to be scanned to minimise time spent. I still don’t understand how anybody in their right mind would leave their house with overweight bags. I have to admit it brings on a major case of the side-eye. Don’t do it!

POSTSCRIPT

I

t is widely agreed that the top five most stressful life events include the death of a loved one, divorce, moving to a new house, major illness or injury, and job loss. Having managed to negotiate most of the previously listed, I humbly submit that we need to re-evaluate that list.

Gone are the days of breezing in and out of Europe, America, or the Middle East. Having just gone through the drama that is international travel during a pandemic, I really think it should make the list.

Now, it is anxiety around all the testing and isolation requirements, the mountain of required paperwork, the interminable queues, and the cost of it all.

IN THE BEGINNING…

Prior to take off, I had heard all sorts of horror stories: testing positive for the virus days before your intended date of travel and having to change travel and accommodation plans; seven-hour queues at Heathrow; people fainting all over the place. They genuinely gave me sleepless nights, especially as I have suffered a fairly serious (and recent) knee injury and struggle to carry my weight.

Your government, from the airline and from whatever country you are headed will bombard your phone with messages, bringing on the palpitations. I kept telling my mini-me, “I don’t want to hear about

PAGE 4

Once we got into Heathrow, it was smooth sailing. Minimal queue, everyone friendly, and we were heading home. On day one, we got a call from the trace-and-track NHS people to make sure we understood the penalties for breaking the law, and the rest was up to us.

After the stress in the run-up to arriving on terra firma (much to the annoyance of my roommate), ten days at home eating and watching Murder She Wrote was just what the doctor ordered. You just have to make sure you have plenty of food, Marks and Spencer’s premixed cocktails and a healthy appreciation for being required to do nothing but sit still.

What we came here for….

Day 11 Nothing I Love more than a Sunday market.

Sunday morning, I found myself walking around the antique market at Greenwich Village, loving anything with a good back story plus the plethora of original arts and crafts. Post the morning stroll, it was all about the perfect Sunday roast. It is not the first time I have rhapsodised about this symphony on a plate, and it will probably not be the last.

I went back to the Guard House to see if their roast was as spectacular as I remembered.

It was. I feasted on a slow roast leg of lamb with potatoes roasted in delish goose fat, honey-glazed carrots, butternut purée, tender stem broccoli, proper gravy, and unlimited Yorkshire pudding.

It was outstanding, and this experience should literally be happening again RIGHT NOW.

Happy Sunday

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

LIVING

Beautify Your Bedroom With These

4 Minimalist Ideas

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

T

he minimalist movement is all the rage in the world of design right now and when properly put together, it results in a space that looks clean, calming, and aesthetically pleasing.

Since your bedroom is the place you go to unwind, reflect, and recover, minimalism there can make a big impact. Such calming, livable, and nurturing qualities of minimalist spaces can be achieved in part through thoughtful design and clutter-free spaces.

Our collection of four minimalist bedroom ideas can help you bring this style to life in your bedroom since it’s where you probably spend most of your time.

Anna Malmberg For Fantastic Frank

Tamsin Johnsons Interiors

Art By Godofthe90s Mikeal Axelsson From Fantastic Frank

Add a Splash of Colour Minimalist designs are simple and can often be seen as bland and empty which isn’t always the case. While keeping everything else neutral and consistent, having a statement art piece adds that splash of colour that stands out but doesn’t upset the general balance of the room.

It’s about scaling back to create calming and thoughtful spaces. Adding colourful art brings excitement to the entire space.

Don’t Toss Out Those Collections No matter what kind of minimalist you are at heart, you can still have an interesting collection of books and magazines. That old Downtown magazine can stay, too. Just stack them neatly.

Mix Rough and Supple Textures With layers of contrasting texture from linen bedding to velvet headboards and rough side tables, this minimalist room has a sleek grayscale look with hints of personality. Stylish, bright brass lamps add just a hint of warmth and touch of modern style to the room’s cool tones.

Pay Attention to Proportion The following guides will help you design your new Lagos apartment if you’re unsure about how to decorate it.

In small spaces and where everything must carry its weight, proportion and scale can be excellent design tools. This bedroom, for instance, achieves this through the oversized pendant.

PAGE 5

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

FASHION

Here’s What Your

Favourite Nigerian Celebs Could Have Worn To Alta Moda WORDS BY DAVID NWACHUKWU IMAGES COLLATED BY TILEWA KAZEEM

O

ver the past week, the internet was abuzz with the style and sightings at Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda fashion show. For this year’s couture show– one of the biggest since lockdown restrictions were lifted– Domenico and Stefano called on a bevy of A-list stars to help celebrate the new collection, pulling everyone from Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and Diddy to Megan Thee Stallion, Normani, and Saweetie.

The stars didn’t miss a beat, wearing the brand’s archival looks that were famed for their whimsy and high-stakes glamour. On our Nigerian red carpets, these are style cues everyone can agree on, so we put together a list of some of the Alta Moda-worthy ensembles our stars would have worn to the Italian show.

Nancy Isime While Nancy may have donned this custom Somo

By Somo piece for The Voice Nigeria’s July live shows, she just as easily could have worn this to Alta Moda. The bodice of the dress glimmers just as bright as the stars at the show.

Lilo Aderogba

Waje

Funke Akindele

The storied Milanese label is known for its avantgarde capes and coats. The soul music icon’s cobalt blue cinching jumpsuit fits right in with that aesthetic, with a silk jersey cape that goes on and on.

For her 2021 birthday festivities, the superstar actress rocked an asymmetrical frock styled

by Sevon Dejana, with dramatic sleeves that echoed D&G dresses from the late 2000’s. This would’ve been an excellent pick alongside the avantgarde runway pieces.

D&G’s love for sculpting hourglass Italian bodies can definitely be seen in celebrity dietician Lilo’s sequined dress. Designed by Lola Baej, the slinky dress sports edgy shoulder pads and a ruffled applique, making it less minimal and more high stakes.

PAGE 6

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

FASHION

Nengi Hampson

Lydia Lawrence-Nze The model and actor’s Neona by Juliana dress would be a perfect match for the Venetian architecture and glamorous D&G show. We love how stylist Ikechukwu Urum used varying green tones to highlight both the accessories and dress.

Nengi’s fully embellished XBL dress was a vision to see on our collective timelines.

Embodying the drama and excess of D&G Alta Moda and highlighting the best aspects of the global star’s figure, it’s a showstopping look for a high octane event.

Toyin Abraham

Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong Never one to put a foot wrong, Vimbai’s ball gown is fit for a princess. One of the most memorable looks from the Nigerian premiere of Oceans 8, Vimbai’s Gert Johan-Coetzee’s dress matches the super glamorous feel of the Venice Alta Moda show!

A head-turning look at AY’s 50th birthday, it’s also a look the AMVCA winner could easily wear to Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda shows. The heavily embellished Lady Beellionaire Luxury dress is in line with the brand’s love for black and gold and the slit is the perfect balance between demure and sultry.

Sola Sobowale

Originally worn on the set of cultural behemoth, King of Boys: The Sequel, it’s a no-brainer pick for the grand dame herself to wear to the Alta Moda shows. Finely crafted, embellished to the heavens and topped with the most royal looking headgear, it’s a Milanese vision of excess in the best way.

Tacha Tacha definitely steals the show in this fleshtoned sequined look by XBL. For Alta Moda, this finely sculpted dress utilises jewels to make a bold statement, a territory the global influencer is very familiar with. It’s also one that the designers would most adore.

PAGE 7

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

COVER

BODY ENHANCEMENT

Despite Risk, Nigerians Covet the Perfect Body

BY KEHINDE FAGBULE & TILEWA KAZEEM

T

he veil of secrecy that once sheltered cosmetic alteration has been snatched thanks to the social and visual gratification of voluptuous derrieres and vanity magic

tricks.

Suddenly, most ladies in Nigeria seem to have had one cosmetic surgical procedure or the other. Nobody wants to keep anything natural anymore. There is this craze to tuck a tummy or transfer fat from one place to another and it’s right there in plain sight for everyone to see. With the penetration of smartphones and affordable mobile data plans, it has become hard for you to get away from it. Belfies (photos that one has taken of one’s own buttocks) and desperate thirst traps are scattered all around social media. At a point in time, getting a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) or Liposuction was something people kept to themselves and gave placebo credit to crunches, tireless exercise, and new dietary habits. Lately, you wake up to the

PAGE 8

news of one socialite or celebrity who’s gone curvy overnight via their social media accounts. What has changed?

Before the recent uprising of bodywork and its centres in Nigeria, people who were uncomfortable with how their bodies looked couldn’t afford to spend hundreds of thousands of naira to surgically rectify them. And those who had the wealth to do so, did them in hushed tones to avoid being seen as plastic or fake. Since 2015, the number of butt lifts performed globally has grown by 77.6%, according to a recent survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. It is the fastest-growing cosmetic surgery in

the world.

Those who want it anyway but can’t afford it opted for harmful DIY practices. A documentary shared by VICE showed Congolese women injecting seasoning cubes into their posteriors in the hope that the salt and oils would aid and abet their bodily crimes.

However, before Brazilian butt lifts, Liposuctions, and implants, different Nigerian tribes conducted what they understood as body augmentations on their natives for reasons like identification and beauty. So in a sense, the urge of wanting to be comfortable in one’s skin or more visually appealing always lingered. It only just ripened as time rolled on. The indulgence of western education, norms, science, and technology further watered this new normal.

Wanting to improve and become better versions of ourselves courses through our veins. Whether financially, visually, or intellectually as humans, we strive to be better or do better. As individuals, we all have different takes on what we perceive as beauty or feeling beautiful. In a socially conscious society like ours ruled by likes, retweets, challenges, and trends it is easy to lose one’s self dwelling on flaws and disproportions. They slip into depression, suffer from low self-esteem, bullying, and in some cases suicide because they don’t feel comfortable or beautiful in their skin.

A plastic surgeon and author from Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Dennis Schimpf, FACS, believes that social media, selfies, and cell phones have significantly influenced the desire for plastic surgery.

“If you think back even 10 years ago, let alone 25, rarely would you see yourself in pictures,” said Schimpf. “Maybe a birthday or wedding, usually some type of special event. Now, with mobile devices and platforms, we’re literally seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures of ourselves documenting things we don’t like about our appearance, as well as the aging process.”

In other words, we’re all under constant scrutiny — by ourselves.

The biggest influence of this sudden surge in surgeries would be people having more control over their bodies. Thanks to body positivity, wondering what people would think or say about your appearance is pretty much a lost thought for most people compared to the old days. Some practices even had to build back doors because people felt abashed to come in through the front doors.

Things like slut-shaming and body shaming are frowned upon and no longer welcome in today’s society. This has allowed more women to feel confident enough to decide what it is they want. Millennials are credited with owning selfimprovement. They don’t apologize for their choices, no matter what they are, and this mentality is influencing Generation Xers and baby boomers not to have to apologize as well.

Nowadays the increasing use of social media has led to people posting about their experiences and sending pictures to friends in the recovery room.

Tonto Dikeh, a Nigerian actress shared a video of her procedure in an interview. She also openly bashed people who criticised her for the surgery and thanked her doctors for a job well done in an Instagram post alongside pictures of herself before and after the procedure.

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

COVER

Toke Makinwa

Toke Makinwa BEFORE and AFTER

Nigerian Actress and TV personality, Toke Makinwa has on numerous occasions, openly stated how much she hated her body before undergoing her surgeries. The TV star who was initially very dark-skinned had a ​ skin lightening procedure that saw her become considerably lighter than she initially was. She later added a Brazilian butt lift procedure to her list of surgeries describing her modifications as the best decision ever.

There’s also the confidence of a multitude known as peer pressure.

This possible justification could be the reason why there’s a sudden plastic surgery fever in Nigeria. Rumour has it that award-winning artist, Tiwa Savage might have also jumped on the bandwagon by the looks of her new Water and Garri E.P cover picture. The likes ​of Ini Edo, Iwuchukwu Maryann Ahneeka, Abike “Khloe”​Abiri, Venita Akpofure, Chioma, and Kika Goodhair are already on it. ​Although the idea got to Nigeria much later compared to other parts of the world, it has made up for lost time with centres springing up all around town.

People who do this have varied opinions on why they do it. Exquisite sex workers

Nigerians are just waking up to the reality that aesthetic surgeries can be done with the desired results here. On average, I do surgeries every day.

That should tell you what you need to know about how much people want to return their bodies to a better condition.”...

Dr. Torngee Malu might see going under the knife as an investment. People make serious cash from being social media influencers. A breast lift here, a botox shot there, and you are halfway through the door. The more beautiful and sultry you look, the more money you make.

DOWNTOWN had a chat with Nigerian aesthetic surgeon, Dr. Torngee Malu of Renew Aesthetics to discuss aesthetic transformation. When asked about why people are willing to modify or enhance their bodies, he had this to say; “Nigerians are just waking up to the reality that aesthetic surgeries can be done with the desired results here. On average, I do surgeries every day. That should tell you what you need to know about how much people want to return their bodies to a better condition.”

I think the word modify is incorrect. Calling beauty surgery a modification or enhancement is a society-imposed stigma. Look at it this way: as a kid growing up, you loved your body; but as time passed, things like habits, environment, and lifestyle changes, fat in places that displease you, or pregnancy happens- particularly for women, and their bodies are altered. Nature does the altering and plastic surgery tries to bring them back to where they were and give them back their body. It’s more of a correction of what habits, nature, or pregnancy has damaged.”

The unexpected normalisation of these practices have made a differentiation between the natural and artificial unequivocally difficult but then again compliments to the chef since the whole point is to make it look undifferentiated.

Controversy-prone influencer Pretty Mike shared his take on the subject on a two-part Instagram post a year ago where he wrote;

“It’s no news that our ladies who aren’t comfortable with their bodies or parts have regained their confidence through plastic surgery from a breast lift to liposuction of the arm, abdomen, and fat transfer to the butt known as the BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift).

So, don’t think that your neighbour or exgirlfriend (that) you haven’t seen in a while just added weight in the right areas; she’s definitely gone under the knife.

We also have centres in Lagos where they do these surgeries. The most common is Grandville Medlaser in VGC (Victoria Garden City, Lagos), he became more popular when he did the free surgery for ladies who had over 11k followers and didn’t mind posting their procedures showing their faces.”

He name-dropped Oge Okoye, Caroline Danjuma, Princess Shyngle, Chika Ike, Dabota Lawson, Precious Thelma, and Kika Goodhair as people who had some work done and touched on how he was enjoying the trend.

“With N800,000 to N2 million, you can get a banging body in Lagos, just get ready not to sit for at least three weeks as Lagos has been littered with big bum bums and I can strongly say, I’m a big fan and I love the movement.”

Yvonne Jegede, also declared emphatically

Tonto Dikeh AFTER

Tonto Dikeh BEFORE

in an interview, “Yes, I did surgery (liposuction) on my stomach, after I had my son, so that made me look curvier. I had the surgery here in Nigeria. I don’t have issues with anyone on earth; I do whatever I want with myself and my body.”

It has become easier to count those who haven’t had plastic surgery done today than to count those who have. Elective plastic surgery, a tightly guarded secret among the rich and famous, has become mainstream and affordable for those who really want it.

When asked how many botched cases he’s dealt with Dr. Torngee Malu had this to say; “Yes, we’ve had numerous botched cases and oddly enough they are from surgeries done in places like Turkey, Dubai, and then some other places including Nigeria as well.

Most of our corrective surgeries have been from people who travelled out of the country.”

Those who think this glittering trend is golden and devoid of risk and health complications are only fooling themselves.

Wrongly handled surgeries often referred to as botched aren’t as publicised as the successful ones.

Everyone remembers Kim Kardashian’s iconic cover for PAPER magazine where she balanced a champagne glass on her bottom but no one knows Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose a British-Nigerian who died from Brazilian butt lift complications. In 2017, Mofid published a paper in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal which revealed that 3% of the 692 surgeons he had surveyed had experienced the death of a patient after performing the surgery.

Overall, one in three thousand Brazilian butt lifts resulted in death, making it the world’s most dangerous cosmetic procedure.

In Nigeria, a cosmetic surgeon cloaked in quackery is allegedly responsible for three cases of butt augmentation complications one of which led to a patient’s demise.

The first, a young lady named Nneka allegedly approached Lagos- based

PAGE 9

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

COVER

Ini Edo BEFORE

Ini Edo AFTER

plastic surgery outfit MedContour to have a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), liposuction, and fat transfer on the 31st December 2018.​​The doctor, Dr. Anu Adepoju was known for importing foreign doctors to carry out the procedures, however, for reasons best known to her, on this fateful day, she decided to carry out the procedure herself.

On the 31st of December, as Nneka’s sister waited anxiously for Dr. Anu to finish the procedure, she realised that the process was taking far too long with no update on her sister’s condition. Worried, she allegedly walked into the operating theatre and saw a helpless Dr. Anu standing beside her sister’s lifeless body.

Apparently, complications had arisen and the patient, Nneka, fell into a coma.

Nneka was quickly rushed to Vedic hospital in Lekki where she was put on life support and was later moved to LUTH. According to doctors, fat had entered her lungs causing a blockage and subsequent complications. Nneka never woke up from her coma.

Socialite Omotola Taiwo Temilade, aka Omohtee, also went after Dr. Anu Adepoju following a botched cosmetic surgery ​done ​by MedContour​ on December 31st 2019.

In her interview with BBC pidgin, she revealed that she wanted to make her belly flat and “topup” her butt, so she went to MedContour and paid 1.2 million naira for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and Liposuction.

Soon after the procedure, she couldn’t stand and her body was in a mess. She added after the surgery, “I started having complications. I started having belly burns, waist burns, waist numb, and after two months I started having fat necrosis”.

“The wound she inflicted on me is yet to heal.

I still go to the hospital every two days. And to dress up the wound, sometimes I spend N7,000, sometimes N10,000 it depends because sometimes I might open the wound and another fat necrosis is already beside the wound. The doctors will have to perform another operation to bring that one out. Sometimes, the wound will be infected, then there will be a need for a swab.

I buy drugs.

PAGE 10

Yes, we’ve had numerous botched cases and oddly enough they are from surgeries done in places like Turkey, Dubai, and then some other places including Nigeria as well. Most of our corrective surgeries have been from people who travelled out of the country.”... Dr. Torngee Malu “The money I have spent has run into millions, more than the money I even paid for the surgery from Dr. Anu.” Dr. Anu blamed the patient for negligence and, not obeying the doctor’s orders.

In November 2020, the Federal Competiton and Consumer Protection Commission approved the indefinite suspension of Dr.

Yvonne Jegede

Anu upon the recommendation of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Body modification is a practice that is likely as old as mankind, and it has a fascinating history. Think about all the people that you see throughout your day who provoke the question “Is that body part even real?” out of you.

Physical alteration is a broad category that includes just about any alteration that a person makes to their body. These alterations can be small, like injected lips, or more dramatic modifications that require going under the knife.

There are a wide variety of reasons that people choose to alter their appearance, either temporarily or permanently. These reasons are generally culturally specific, which means that what might seem extreme to you could be totally understandable in another culture. For example, in certain Asian and African cultures, women (and some men) will wear a heavy piece of jewelry to stretch the length of their necks in order to be considered more beautiful.

To a Western person, the thought of elongating your neck to be more beautiful might sound bizarre, but that’s only because it’s not common in Western cultures like the U.S. or the U.K. The concept of beauty is a cultural construct, which is an idea to which people assign certain characteristics and standards within their cultures. These are subjective criteria that vary from culture to culture, fall in and out of fashion, and evolve over time.

The idea of stretching your neck might sound extreme and painful just to be perceived as more beautiful but think of all the things that Western men and women have done over the years for the same reason. For instance, at various times throughout history, women would wear corsets to make their waists or midsections appear smaller.

This probably doesn’t sound extreme, but it’s not dissimilar from stretching the neck.

In China, many girls and women have for centuries practiced foot binding, which involves breaking all of the toes except for the big toe and tightly wrapping the feet so they cannot grow. The purpose was to make women and girls more attractive in order to find a husband.

With the advent of technology and the effect of westernisation propagated through pop culture, the list of things we are able to do to our body in the quest for beauty has been updated heavily nowadays; and it is a billion-dollar industry.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery (alongside reconstructive surgery) that aims to improve a person’s appearance. Reconstructive surgery includes craniofacial surgery (deals with fixing acquired deformities of the head, skull, face, neck, jaws, and associated structures), hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns.

While reconstructive surgery aims to reconstruct a part of the body or improve its functioning, cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery aims at improving its appearance.

Cosmetic surgery has increased dramatically in the last decade. In fact, while the majority of procedures are performed on women, men’s use of cosmetic procedures has increased 20 percent since the year 2000.

Opinions are divided on the benefits of cosmetic surgery. Some suggest that cosmetic procedures can improve self-esteem and combat negative body image. Others see surgical interventions as a sad indictment of culture with rigid and narrow ideas of beauty—a culture that values youth, sexuality, and appearance more than experience, character, and substance.

A variety of aesthetic procedures is available for different parts of the body such as the breasts, stomach, and butt. However, people who have had

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

COVER these surgeries are not the most forthcoming with the admission as society throws a stigma on it.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) - The Surgery That Garnered Mainstream Attention

The average white woman’s body was used as the beauty standard at a time when black people didn’t have a voice in society. This seeps into the subconscious of generations as being slender (and in most cases “flat”) was being celebrated as well as coveted and having a considerably bigger butt was dismissed as it was mostly found on a black woman’s body.

This would change as black women started becoming more prominent in the entertainment space; being curvy became cool again. However, not everyone (even black women) has the body to abide by these new beauty standards.

Buttock augmentation enhances the appearance of the buttocks by making them larger. Although subfascial implants could offer more stability and flexibility, because the buttocks are responsible for so much of the body’s movement, prosthetic implants of any kind seemed to be able to slip out of place or appear unnatural when moving. And thus, the Brazilian butt lift was born.

In truth, the butt lift isn’t a true lift, but rather a fat transfer augmentation.

In this procedure, fat is removed from another area of the body, usually, the abdomen, waist, hips, or thighs, is purified, and then reinjected into the buttocks, no prosthetic implants necessary. Because this technique originated in South America, it has since become known as the Brazilian butt lift.

This surgical technique can offer very natural-looking, feeling, and moving results, primarily because the fat injected into the butt is natural. Also, as an added bonus, because this fat is taken from other areas of the body, butt lift results also include body contouring, which can help to emphasize the body’s natural curves.

Boob Job

Breast augmentation or enlargement is one of the two most common forms of cosmetic surgery in women - The other is liposuction. It is traditionally performed using saline or silicone gel prosthetics, and now occasionally with fat grafting.

It may be carried out if the woman feels her breasts are too small, if one breast is larger than the other, if the breasts have changed after pregnancy or breastfeeding or if the woman has had a mastectomy. Some older women opt for this treatment when the breasts begin to droop due to the skin losing elasticity. In some women, breast enlargement can boost self-

Vanita Akpofure BEORE

Vanita Akpofure AFTER

esteem and improve their feelings about their sexuality. In some, however, existing problems remain.

In an alternate surgery, breast reduction can help provide relief from physical discomfort, while the aim of augmentation more often relates to appearance.

Nose Job

In rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job,” the surgeon reshapes a patient’s nose that seems too big or wide for the face, has a bump on the bridge, or is crooked or off-center, either naturally or from injury.

Liposuction

Liposuction or suction-assisted lipectomy, uses thin cannulas, or hollow metal tubes, to vacuum fat from various parts of the body, usually the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, backs of the arms, and neck. When performed on the right patient, the goal is to improve contour and decrease limited areas of fat deposits. Liposuction may also be used for male breast reduction.

Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck” reshapes and firms the abdomen. Excess skin and fat are removed from the middle and lower abdomen, with the aim of tightening the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This may be suitable after pregnancy or after losing a great deal of weight.

Regarded as the most common cosmetic procedure, several celebrities have been under the knife for liposuction at some point in their lives.

According to Dr. Malu, this is the most common

Kika Osunde AFTER

Abike “Khloe Abiri AFTER

Chioma Ikokwu AFTER

Kika Osunde and Chioma Ikokwu BEFORE

Abike “Khloe Abiri BEFORE

request he receives.

Lip Fillers

Lip augmentation alters the appearance of the lips by increasing their fullness through surgical enlargement with lip implants or nonsurgical enhancement using injectable fillers.

Facelift

Rhytidectomy is the removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face. Facelifts are no longer one of the top ​ five​ cosmetic surgeries.

They’re losing ground to easier options, such as injectable fillers, Botox, radiofrequency tightening, or laser therapies.

Is it safe to say that evolution plays an important role in how plastic surgery is perceived in today’s society? Social media, body positivity, affordability, selfconfidence, and a plethora of other factors have changed the narrative behind going under the knife. This recent trend in hindsight shows that aside from people finally being able to do whatever they deem fit to their bodies, it also shows ​that t​he world is changing. That goes to show that there is hope. Hope that we can condition our mindset into accepting people for who they truly are without looking at the colour, size, or gender.

However, with the current trajectory of this subject, there’s no telling how far it will go. Knowing that there’s a ​two​ million naira eraser that can correct your flaw, would enough ever be enough?

PAGE 11

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

WELLNESS

Amaechi Okobi

Cycling

A Lifestyle

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

I

never experienced the feeling of owning a bike as a child. Being a bystander when friends shared laughs and screamed arguments of

who came first and who last was a feeling I was much accustomed to. The knowledge of how to ride a bike and owning one at the time was as close as we came to knowing how to drive or having a car. Being able to perform stunts while riding was the holy grail of skill.

Let me pull you out of that memory to one when all was right with Nigeria and cycling was an important part of transportation in the country.

The Pitstop Lagos Cyclists

PAGE 12

Travelling from the workplace to one’s own home on a two-wheeled machine was common practice in both urban and rural parts of Nigeria.

Now in recent years, it’s become nothing but a distant memory with the influx of cars in the country. Having a car is no longer considered a luxury as a few million Naira can get you a car.

The state of the car though is another discussion.

This sharp rise in vehicular congestion has Lagosians riding shotgun to traffic daily requiring them to spend multiple hours behind the wheel, largely contributing to a rapid increase in the number of accidents along our roads. Don’t get me wrong, I hold nothing against cars- they are comfortable but being a little uncomfortable has an impressive track record of keeping people on their toes.

The Coronavirus pandemic is an uncomfortable example. Despite its huge and obvious cons, it had some less romanticized pros. Some being the Earth finally repairing the gaping hole in its ozone layer, we got to spend more than enough time with family and loved ones and there was a well-deserved shift from chasing the metaphorical bag to focusing on our health whether mental or otherwise. Less stress meant better sleep, better eating habits and the general increase of serotonin that came with spending time with those we held dear.

Another thing that largely benefited from this was cycling. COVID-19 was a big enough reality check that people needed to care about their health again. Coming across a small mob of people cycling and sweating profusely along the Third Mainland Bridge was both rewarding and refreshing. This exercise has obvious health benefits aside from its overall thrill.

It improves your cardiovascular strength and fitness allowing your heart to pump blood better and more efficiently, precluding you from any heart-related problems. When we drive for long hours, our joints and back muscles stiffen as a result of sitting and we get twisted into knots that can be unwound by taking time to paddle a bike for 20 to 30 minutes in a day.

Like any form of exercise, riding a bike helps you lose excess weight and you’d finally be able to label yourself an athlete if you lost that title to the cool kids in high school. In countries around the world including Nigeria, there has been an inclusion of cycling into the lifestyle scene.

And although the Cycling Federation of Nigeria exists, not many Nigerians have ever heard of them and their accomplishments.

On the lifestyle front, it has been embraced with the development of cycling groups like Cycology Club and Wheelers Cycling. There are also cycling inspired cafes like Pitstop Lagos that offer riders a place to recharge, refuel on healthy food and relax. Another attaché of the cycling lifestyle movement is Bicycle Motocross (BMX) riders. This aspect in Nigeria has not garnered as much attention as its cousin (cycling) but it is not without its loyal devotees.

AwaBike, a small tech startup out of Nigeria also aims to increase the number of bike riders in schools and residential areas with their ready-tohire custom bicycles. Aeons might go by before we see commuters cycling to work on their reserved lanes or the government making more provisions for cycling and cyclists but it’s good to know that there is a foundation that has received the bangs and scrapes of starting something new in Nigeria.

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

BEAUTY

BY ONAH NWACHUKWU

A FEW OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS:

Bolanle Olukanni

Sunscreen

We cannot overemphasize the importance of sunscreen, even on a cloudy day, and she knows this.

W

hen it comes to a girl and her beauty products, the term: to each her own, comes to mind. Over time, we experiment with different products until we find the ones that do the trick for us.

Products that keep our complexion and skin in general, looking good no matter what. Granted genetics might come to play in some cases, but more often than not, we get support from one beauty product or another to help ‘maintain’ what our mama gave us. For this issue, we contacted TV host, Bolanle Olukanni to share her favourite beauty products, and let’s just say salicylic acid and shea butter are some of the ingredients that play major roles in getting her skin to look flawless.

Sunscreen SUPERGOOP

Lip Balm EOS

Lips Balm

Most people don’t pay attention to their lips, but not this gal. She understands that the lips should get just as much attention as other parts of the body so she keeps her lips moisturised with EOS lip balm.

BODY

Kenyan Hibiscus and Morrocan Rose Beauty Butter 54 THRONES

Face Wash

For her face product, she uses something with salicylic acid in it. Salicylic acid is acne’s arch-enemy; it is also great for gently exfoliating the skin. No wonder Olukanni chose a product with it.

Moisturising helps with radiant skin.

Shea butter as a moisturiser has the benefits of deep moisturising and fighting signs of aging; so it comes as no surprise that she has chosen a product that contains shea butter for her moisturiser.

FRAGRANCE

Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser IMAGE SKINCARE Bolanle Olukanni

Oud is one of the most coveted fragrances in the world; its muskiness is intoxicating, and it lasts for hours, so naturally, she has chosen something with oud as her favourite fragrance.

Oud Bouquet LANCOME MAISON LANCOME

PAGE 13

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

Movie Review:

Playlist for the week

JUNGLE CRUISE

I

n the (admittedly very short) pantheon of Disney movies based on DisneyLand rides/attractions, Jungle Cruise comes second only to The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Helmed with a steady hand by director Jaume Collet-Serra, Jungle Cruise is a lot more fun than it has any right to be. I must admit I stepped into the theater looking to see another movie and had to settle for Jungle Cruise as a consolation. I ended up having a much better time than I expected to. It’s nowhere near perfect, but it’s a pretty fun time at the movies.

Armed with a $200 Million Dollar budget, Jungle Cruise looks and sounds phenomenal. It’s a given at this point for CGI in big-budget movies to be solid, but this movie really shines in the visuals department. The colours are bright and vibrant, the sound design and soundtrack are enjoyable but it is the cast that carries this film.

In a flick with such a fantastical theme, there was a very big bet on the charm and chemistry between the two leads Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt to carry the audience along. They do an admirable job, bringing life to characters that previously only existed as DisneyLand animatronics. Blunt’s character, Lily is strongheaded and never takes no for an answer. Her counterpart, Johnson’s Frank

is gruff and always has one more secret up his sleeve. I did have problems buying their chemistry, as they seemed better off as friends than lovers.

Everyone on the cast seems to be having a blast, with my absolute favorite character being Paul Giamatti’s Nilo Nemolato, a gloriously overblown caricature of basically every Italian stereotype, replete with a golden tooth and a twirling moustache.

Special praise must go to Jesse Plemons as well, who seems to have cornered the market on quiet, discomfiting characters.

His turn as Joachim, Nazi member and the main antagonist is both uncomfortable and irresistible to watch.

The plot of Jungle Cruise is probably the most rote part of the film. Highly derivative of classics such as Indiana Jones and more modern outings like The Mummy, the ideas present in this film continually reminded me of better films and that took a little bit of the enjoyment out of the film for me. The pacing of the movie, while razor-sharp for the first 45 minutes of the film, falls rather flat in the middle and the ending does not really make up for it. I still had fun with what I was seeing, but I did find myself checking my phone quite frequently near the finale.

In a cinema business where the most popular films each year are either reboots or adaptations, it was nice to see a film that is neither. A (mostly) thoroughly original story and characters, I did enjoy seeing this quite a bit, but mostly because I had lower expectations going in. Don’t expect it to be the next Pirates of the Caribbean and it may just surprise you.

6.5/10

Netflix Watch of the Week:

King of Boys: The Return of the King Upon release in 2018, the first King of Boys was a phenomenon. Reining peerless at the top of the domestic box office for months, it eventually set records as the third highest (at the time) earning film in Nollywood history. Clearly, Netflix was watching because their injection of both funds and behind the camera talent has enabled director Kemi Adetiba to craft a worthy successor to the hit original. With a bigger budget, however, the expectations are much higher. Can the sequel live up?

In short; yes actually. The Return of the King tells a superb story and is the logical continuation of Eniola Salami’s story. As

PAGE 14

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

Ayra Starr - Bloody Samaritan

WizKid; Justin Bieber; Tems - Essence (feat. Justin Bieber & Tems)

Zarion Uti - Tale Bana

Fireboy DML - Peru

Burna Boy; Don Jazzy Question (feat. Don Jazzy)

Benson; OluwahSoft - Down On Me

Kizz Daniel - Lie

Omah Lay - Understand

Lojay; Sarz - Monalisa

the title suggests, our protagonist returns after a five-year exile ready to become the Governor of Lagos state and what ensues is a dark, yet relatable story of a woman who has to fight against all odds to hold on to her ambition.

At this point, Sola Sobowale could play the character in her sleep. Building on her dichotomous nature in the first film, the changes to her character are juxtaposed against what she used to be by showing an earlier version of Eniola, played by Toni Tone. The rest of the cast is great, with special shoutouts to Reminisce, Ill Bliss, and especially newcomer Nse Ikpe Etim, who plays First Lady Jumoke Randle. Her rivalry with Eniola is one of the best things about this sequel as these two play so well against each other which is understandable since their characters are two sides of the same coin. They both come from nothing, are extremely ambitious, and will do whatever it takes to get what they want in spite of the obstacles from the men in their lives. Kemi Adetiba’s writing and directing shine brightly in these two characters. Their chemistry carries you through the seven-episode series.

As for my complaints, while fewer than normal, still exist. While the series certainly makes up for the wait with believable acting,

Mayorkun - Let Me Know good writing, great costumes, and lighting that often adds to the storytelling, some of the subplots including the family drama involving dedicated reporter Dapo Banjo played by Efa Iwara felt unnecessarily long and overdrawn.

Reminisce, who plays Makanaki, delivers as usual, but his role as a villain lacks the punch it should have had. Some of the dialogue and scenes carried on for far longer than they needed to be. There are also some characters that just get on your nerves every time they pop on the screen.

Unlike the first movie, this sequel is a lot darker. You can expect more violence, deep, provocative Yoruba proverbs, and the usual over-thetop drama that comes with politics.

Ultimately, The Return of the King is worth the wait!

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

THIS CRIPPLING LAGOS PTSD

THE DANGERS OF PROFILING

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

O

nce upon a time, taking a walk was my favourite thing to do. It started in secondary school when I’d spend my transport allowance lavishly and so my friends and I would end up having to take long walks home together in groups after school every day. It became therapeutic for me even before having the slightest knowledge of what therapy was. I adopted it and it became more fun when I got a cute Lhasa( a dog breed). We would walk around Lagos together. Those were the good old days.

Things soon became heated on the streets of Lagos (and all across Nigeria) as the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad unit of the Nigerian Police Force occupied every single neighbourhood in large scary numbers. In a country like ours where cliché utterances such as “The police is your friend” and “Bail is free” are as comical as could be, it was almost like the SARS Officials got a direct order from the top to deal with young Nigerians. The most basic human rights to free movement and privacy got heavily infringed upon as for every route you planned to ply, there was a SARS van waiting to pick you up; almost like a reversed Uber at some point. Of course, there was only enough we could take as youths across the country voiced out in a series of protests that would become powerful under the “end SARS” umbrella hashtag. As expected, the Government responded how they did and claimed to have allegedly taken the cult-like unit off the streets.

SARS’s modus operandi has always been profiling young people and attacking the ones who look like they are well to do. An exploitation tactic that has seen them extort money from hardworking Nigerian youths whose crime was simply existing. Profiling has always been the lazy way of telling people’s stories before bothering to take the comparatively tedious route of getting to know them. It is how we see a complete stranger and immediately come to a conclusion of their profession, sexuality, finances, social status, and livelihood. A practice the majority of us are guilty of but don’t know the damaging implications of.

Nowadays, I sometimes go out looking homeless just to avoid being wrongly profiled and ultimately robbed. It has gotten to a melting point and I’m officially tired.

With the SARS unit being allegedly taken off the streets and the Nigerian Police Force trying everything in their power not to get involved in anything that concerns protecting its citizens’ lives and properties, there has been a ridiculous spike in criminal cases in recent times.

Lately, the hood thugs have stepped into the big shoes left behind by the SARS unit of the Police.

We went from watching our backs to make sure we’re not walking on the path of SARS Officials to actively trying to dodge hood criminals in what looks like a real-life PacMan. With stories of

Victoria Island Lagos

kidnappings on the Island, highway car robberies on the major link bridges, daylight confrontations on the mainland eclipsing the news in recent times, moving around in Lagos has proven to be more difficult as the criminals have become emboldened by the impunity offered to them as a result of the Police Force’s laxity.

I don’t go on as many walks anymore because of the PTSD I’ve been living with for years now. This experience is almost tantamount to the prominent PTSD cases we see in Hollywood stories of war veterans returning home and not being able to fit into the world they left behind. When you have seen that level of violence and disruption in real-time, it is not so easy to shake it off.

When Jay-Z called New York “A concrete jungle” on the Empire State of Mind record, that’s because he’s not been to today’s Lagos. This is the concrete jungle.

PAGE 15

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER 05 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN

CHARLES BORN

Y

I remember Bible study classes as a kid when we were taught the parable of a master entrusting talents to his three servants before he went on a journey. It was a tale of making do with what you have via investments.

Of course, the first servant invested his five talents and got ten back.

The second servant also doubled his talents, whilst the last dug his in a hole and it failed to yield anything.

I remember growing up thinking that “talent” in that context was a gift from God, only to find out it was a real-life Greek currency all along.

Now, Imagine if someone was given that much talent in the gift/artistic sense of the word. For this week’s Soro Soke Downtown, I sat with Charles Born, a man of many talents who has invested and doubled them over time.

The TV Show Host, Radio Program Anchor, Event MC, Model, Actor, Scriptwriter, Influencer and Entrepreneur talks about life as a creative extraordinaire.

PAGE 16

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

ou’re a man of many talents. You said off the record that there’s nothing you can’t do. Let’s hear them.

I always wanted to be a lawyer whilst in secondary school because everyone thought I was a talker. I found broadcasting in school-Madonna University. I didn’t study Mass Communication, I studied Information Science and Technology instead. I started broadcasting officially during my service year in Enugu. I was interning/volunteering at three radio stations at some point, in addition to my Place of Primary Assignment where I was a teacher. So I’d go to teach in the morning, then rush off to do radio at 11am, then do radio somewhere else in the evening and then somewhere else at night. Because I knew that I needed the experience and that was the best way to get it, I dedicated my NYSC days to it. I then moved to Lagos to pursue my dreams when my service was done.

My first job would be at Agatha’s Rave TV where I was one of the contestants for a show host; I didn’t win, I was the second runner-up. I worked with Rave TV for three years.

I act and model when the money is right. I love to MC; that’s one thing that you don’t need to pay me anything for, I just do it because I really enjoy it. Content creation started seriously during the lockdown because I had enough time and took Tiktok seriously.

Tiktok honestly gave me leverage because that was when people saw that I could act. If you ever see me in any movie or series, it’s because of Tiktok, I didn’t do auditions. I buy and sell; I like perfumes a lot and the bigger picture for me is to have my own perfume line.

I manage a few businesses, I’m paid to supervise them. I do voiceover too; I went for a professional course at the voiceover academy here in Nigeria. So I’m a certified voiceover artist as well.

What’s it like being the industry’s Jack of all trades?

It’s a very hard industry. It’s frustrating sometimes; especially for people like me who tend to have a lot to offer because you also get the “What is your niche?” and “Why don’t you do this and concentrate on this?” questions. However, doing that makes me feel stifled. The creative industry is tough but fun, I really enjoy it. I like the fluidity that I have; the fact that I can wake up tomorrow and be like “I want to create content.” I also like the fact that I could decide to not create anything for a while and maybe concentrate on acting and no one will question me. I know nobody owes you anything in the industry but at the same time, there should be support and real love; we don’t have that.

I wake up at 5:30am and say my prayers. I have to go home that early because I work on the radio overnight. I get home around 6 to 6:30am, have my bath, get ready and rush out again because I have a job I do in the morning. I run a supervisory role at production companies. I am there from 9am and it’s a typical 9-5 job. By 6pm, I start heading back to the radio station. I have to script, look through my show prep, speak to my producer, and do everything I have to do before 9pm when I’m on air again and I’m at that till 1am. At that time, it’s not so easy finding sleep but I try to squeeze it in until 5:30am again. So that is my typical week.

I only get to rest during the weekends; that’s on weekends when there are no events to host.

What’s an average day like in the life of Charles Born?

Read the complete interview on our website: www.thewilldowntown.com

How did you get into modeling?

I never thought I’d get into modeling even though I’ve always been stylish thanks to my mum.

I was at my friend’s place when she asked me to attend her modeling audition with her. I had no idea what that was like but I went as a supportive friend. When we got there, she asked me to write my name down so I would be allowed inside with her. It was a Mirinda audition and I heard my name called. I tried to explain that I was only there to support my friend but the facilitators were bent on getting me to audition. I told them all I had was an Instagram account which they asked to see. They then asked me if I had any professional pictures; which I showed them. It was a birthday shoot I had around the time. When they asked what agency I was signed to, my friend whispered a modeling agency name to tell them and I did. They promised to get back to me; I laughed. They did and I got that job. When the bank alert came, I was so shocked because it was good money *laughs*. I told my friend about it and I decided to take more professional pictures; she even taught me how to pose. That was how I got into modeling. Since then, I’ve worked with DStv, Pears, a hospital, a furniture company amongst others.

What inspired you to get on Tiktok and making content? How did that open doors for influencing gigs?

During the lockdown, I was on my phone. Everyone was dropping Tiktok content on Instagram and I thought to check it out.

Just to kill time, I started making Tiktok videos; but then I was ridiculously consistent. I could make ten videos in a day. I enjoyed it so I was at it for a while, posting on my WhatsApp status and Instagram account. As for influence, a betting company reached out to me to make content around their brand. It was my first time doing something of that nature so I didn’t even know how to charge. When they made the payment, I was shocked. Just like with modeling, it was good money as well. Beyond that, however, I just wanted to curate in different ways.

Is Born really your last name?

I get this question all the time, yes, it is *laughs*. Yes, I am Nigerian too. I hail from Imo state, so I am very Igbo. People think it’s my stage name but it is also my real name.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

To be honest, when I don’t feel inspired, I don’t do anything special. I think deeply and if it comes it comes. I don’t have a specific source of inspiration.

It feels like singing is the only thing you’ve not done. Are we expecting a single from you at least?

Never *laughs*. To be fair, I sing in church; I’m in the choir. I’m never going to go to the studio and record though.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered as that media personality who, beyond the work, gave people a chance. Anyone could be an artist, media personnel, a creator, whatever. I want to be in people’s memoirs. I want to be remembered for giving people opportunities because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I wasn’t given an opportunity. That for me is a legacy.