By Nnenna Mba
A couple of weeks back, veteran actor, Binta Ayo Mogaji stirred a hornets’ nest when she told a panel of Television interviewers that many new generation female artistes attain wealth through the strategic deployment of their physical endowments.
Although some newsmen interpreted Ms Mogaji’s speech to mean that many of these actresses prostitute their bodies to earn the comfort that they display on social media, her proposition was not so clear-cut.
These were her words: “The new generation that are making so much money or that it seems are making so much money, is it basically from this industry? Are these big, big cars not from gifts from admirers, are these big, big houses not gifts? Some of these so-called new generation actresses, have their selling points, some will say my boobs are my selling point, going nude is my selling point, its works for them and I don’t grudge them for that…”
Even if Mogaji did not expressly accuse her younger colleagues of hawking their bodies, her interview on TVC’s Your View that morning raised serious questions about the values that Nigerian actresses are increasingly placing on the look of their bodies.
Investigations by eelive.ng revealed that in line with Mogaji’s speculation, more and more Nigerian actresses are beginning to rely on their bodily endowments instead of their skills to further their careers. As a result, there is a rising desire for body augmentation otherwise known as cosmetic surgery amongst them.
WHAT ARE COSMETIC SURGERIES
Even though, interchangeably used with plastic surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery say that there is a difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. According to the association, although both cosmetic and plastic surgery deal with improving a patient’s body, the philosophies guiding the training, research, and goals for patient outcomes are different.
The board suggests that while cosmetic surgery is entirely focused on enhancing the appearance of a patient in aesthetic appeal, symmetry and proportion, plastic surgery is dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects. These defects may be due to birth disorders, trauma, burns or disease. Plastic surgeries are aimed at correcting dysfunctional areas in the bodies of people and is otherwise known as reconstructive surgery.
In other words, cosmetic surgery is elective or by the choice. Those who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery usually plan to improve their appearances through Breast Enhancement (which include Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction); Buttock enhancement, Body Contouring (which include Tummy Tuck, Liposuction), Facial Contouring, Facial Rejuvenation, Skin Rejuvenation. Plastic Surgery however involves procedures like Breast Reconstruction, Burn Repair Surgery, Congenital Defect Repair: Cleft Palate, Lower Extremity Reconstruction, Hand Surgery, Scar Revision Surgery.
Cosmetic surgery aims at enhancing physical appeal is what is beginning to gain the attention of more Nigerian artistes who, not being content with their natural endowment now do everything possible to “improve” their appearances.
COSMETIC SURGERY AMONG NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES
Although undergoing procedures for body enhancement has been a part of show business in the United States of America for decades, it was a near taboo in Nigeria until recently. Things are now changing so fast as more Nigerian actresses seem to be taking the dare and surrendering to the cosmetic surgeon’s scalpels in a bid to uplift their appearances.
Even though many of those in the Nigerian entertainment sector who are speculated to have gone under the knife are yet to own up, merely suddenly appearing with astounding bodies like they fell into some magical experience, there are two ladies who have spoken up about their election for body enhancement. These are the actress, Tonto Dikeh and radio personality & Vlogger, Toke Makinwa.
Even Makinwa had first pretended to undergo surgery to remove some fibroid and she had Nigerians fooled with loads of people rendering prayers and goodwill messages to her. But within weeks of what initially appeared like recovery from a health challenge, Ms Makinwa’s hitherto smallish and not so shapely figure would emerge with bigger butt and a tinier waist. Observant Nigerians then went on social media to launch speculations about her “new look” after which the Vlogger gave in and admitted to having had body augmentation. She owned up in a tweet as follows: “This year I stopped complaining and changed things. I hated my body, I fixed it, (best decision ever). I hated hanging around certain people who made me feel small; I dropped them, I learnt to forgive (I still struggle but it’s a journey), I learnt to be at peace. #2018Lessons”
The actress, Tonto Dikeh had however been forthright with the information without even being prompted. Just a couple of months back, she took to her Instagram page to inform her followers that she would be considering another cosmetic surgery, this time to augment her boobs. The mother of one had previously undergone two cosmetic surgical procedures between 2017 and 2018, both of which she revealed herself and are believed to have been done to enhance but her breasts and buttocks. Ms Dikeh who was once quoted as saying: “My body has been something that I have always been extremely ashamed of” would with the accomplishment of her third surgery, have spent a total of N14m on body enhancement. She is one who would encourage anyone who has any reservations about their body to go under the knife.
Speculations are rife in the industry about some of the actresses who seem to have suddenly appeared with extraordinarily well-chiselled bodies significantly different from what they had before.
Eelive.ng could not independently confirm the surgeries of these ladies but names that have been mentioned include; actress Iyabo Ojo, alleged to have undergone a tummy tuck and now goes about with a “near zero waist” unlike what she had before, Nancy Isime is believed to have had her nose, hips and butt touched, Ini Edo is believed to have done a butt job, Chika Ike as well as Linda Usifo are also believed to have had butt jobs. There has also been rumours about Annie Idibia, Toyin Lawani, Biodun Okeowo, otherwise known as “Omo Butty” as well as Ronke Odusanya.
Eelive.ng also discovered that there are many more actresses who aspire to get cosmetic surgeries but are currently hampered by funds or just the fear of complications. What is however clear is the desire for body enhancement amongst the preponderance of actresses who spoke with our reporter. They indicated the inclination to change one part or the other if circumstances were different.
One of those actresses who spoke to eelive.ng was Patience Yisa. She said: “The truth is, I’ve not bought my own bobby and butt because I never get the money. No long thing. Plastic surgery is a special gift for some of us with flat backside, big tummy and small breast.”
Abuja-based actress Cindy Uche told eelive.ng that although she is scared about the potential risks that attend cosmetic surgeries, she would consider breasts and butt enlargement if she had the money and a hundred percent assurance that the surgery would be without untoward consequences.
In her words: “I am usually terrified at the news of surgeries gone wrong that we hear every now and then. I fear for my life. I might not be too fine, I’m not one to brush aside either. Yes, I wish to get a surgery sometime later, once I have 2.3M to spare for cost of the surgery, but my fear for now remains that the surgeon has to assure me beyond doubt that nothing must go wrong after the process.”
Two other actresses who agreed to the importance of having very attractive bodies, went ahead to indicate that there could be other ways to achieve this without going under the knife. One of them, an Ibadan-based actress who asked to be identified as Lady F, admitted having taken steps to enhance her body to an hour-glass shape by applying a solution that looked like Shea butter reportedly imported from the Republic of Benin.
She explained: “My friend introduced me to the local cream that looked like Shea butter. That is what has enlarged my hips and boobs. It really works, cheaper than any surgery. My friend got the cream cheaper but sold it to me for just 50k. It safer than any surgery, and I know it does not have side effects because the ingredients are from natural plants. Although I don’t know the plants. Now, I have my confidence, you know a woman’s confidence is boosted when her boobs and ass are attractive.”
WHY ACTRESSES CRAVE “NEW BODIES”
This brings up the question as to why more actresses are willing to go to any length for enhanced bodies. Based on Mogaji’s position from her television interview, we can say that one answer to that question is that most actresses view their bodies as their selling point.
An actress who spoke to us on condition of anonymity explained that movie directors and producers are usually selective about people they cast for roles. She explained, “There would be roles you can play no matter how you look. What I just feel is that a lot of our colleagues who do this thing want to boost their own self confidence by having shapes that they have always admired.”
As if in concurrent, Patience Yisa volunteered that it would help with her self-confidence whenever she is eventually able to attain her dream body while another actress who spoke anonymously, explained that gorgeous bodies would attract filmmakers to girls and increase the chances that they will be cast for roles.
A front line filmmaker however indicated that most Nigerian artistes are unable to earn a decent livelihood from acting, “hence actresses who want to be noticed by wealthy individuals would go any lengthy to enhance their bodies and thereafter project themselves to fall into the hands of men who can foot their bills.” This, the filmmaker insisted that this appears to be one of the most important reasons for the increased rate of cosmetic surgeries.
WHERE THEY GO FOR THE SURGERIES
Until recently, the closest Nigerians could procure these surgeries was in South Africa. Most people went as far as Europe and America to get the services of expert doctors. Traveling to these countries for such surgeries would, according to sources, require between 5 to 10 million Naira depending on the country of choice and the part of the body for which the patient desires surgery. This huge sum of money accounts for the handicap of many artistes who would rather embrace the procedure.
Currently however, these troubles have greatly reduced as there are now specialists in Abuja, Lagos and Ghana with significantly affordable offers. A popular Nigerian cosmetic surgery outlet is one named after the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Plastics. Under the direction of Dr Stanley Okoro, this facility offers customised plastic cosmetic procedures at private practice locations in Abuja & Lagos.
There is also Grandville Medical, and Laser Centre run by Dr. Aranmolate R. Ayobami. Grandville provides services for patients in need of Liposuction, tummy tuck, Brazilian Butt and Fat Transfer, Silicon Breast Implant Augmentation and Nose Surgery.
Then, there is the Advanced Body Sculpt Centre (ABC) run by Dr Dominic Obeng- Andoh. Our sources tell us that these facilities reduced the cost of cosmetic surgeries considerably. While consultation is put between N30,000 to 60, 000, surgery ranging from Breast Lift to Tummy Tuck and Brazilian Buttock Lift could go from between N200,000 to about N3,000,000. Hence, there are a wider range of opportunities for people to attain the body structure that they desire and that has generated a new rat race in the country.
BUT THERE ARE RISKS
Like every other thing in life, there are side effects to these elective prestige enhancing surgeries. And this is more so in Nigeria where virtually everything is subjected to a level of quackery.
In February of 2019 for instance, Nigerians were hit with the news of the death of a beauty queen, Onwuzuligbo Nneka Miriam while in the process of getting a buttocks enlargement surgery. The story goes that a Lagos-based surgeon who usually hires foreign doctors to help her out with surgeries, decided to personally do the procedure on the victim but things got complicated and it led to the death of the young lady.
It is sad enough that a bright young lady was lost in this avoidable circumstance but what is even sadder is that the current craze for these procedures might lead other desperate actresses to seek cheap options that might lead to more fatal incidents which would go unnoticed unless serious caution is employed
But it is not only that, one other evident fact especially after close observation of the experiences of patrons of cosmetic surgeries from developed countries, is that once a patient gets one job done, constant augmentation will become necessary to maintain the façade (cue Joan Rivers, who allegedly had surgeries hundreds of times, Lil Kim and Blaq Chyna). One other thing that is clear is that as is customary with the Nigerian culture and the embrace of trends, cosmetic surgery is not going away anytime soon.