People with Tattoos and piercings. File photo Janet Ogundepo Annually, World Hepatitis Day is commemorated on July 28, bringing to consciousness the danger and severity of the disease, yet, some Nigerians continue to engage in risky behaviours that expose them to this infection. Janet Ogundepo writes about how piercing and tattoo parlours inadvertently transmit the virus.

As of today, piercings and tattoos have become normalised fads made popular by artistes and celebrities. With the rising trend of multiple piercings on the ear pinna, nose, tongue, belly button, and other body parts, numerous local beauty shops have sprung up like mushrooms, raising concerns and questions about the safety of the equipment used, the unhygienic practices involved and how the procedures are done. Like every new trend, youths and young adults have jumped on it, taking the lead.

Many of them are now seen in various areas sporting diverse rings and tattoo designs that range from the artistic to the absurd and even the horrific. Ironically, the older generation is not left behind in this trend either. One of them is Farooq Oreagba, the cynosure of all eyes and the ‘king of steeze’ at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival.

Adorned in coral beads and a green and lemon striped aso-oke, he sat proudly atop his horse, dazzling the crowd with his horsemanship as the tattoos on his arms further captured the crowd’s admiration. Farooq Oreagba While Oreagba, a Business Management and Finance expert and the Mana.