I lost weight to live longer – Nollywood's Okon Lagos

Weight loss is a journey that many eagerly flaunt, especially when there’s remarkable progress. However, in the case of Nigerian actor and comedian, Ime Bishop, popularly called Okon Lagos, his weight loss has roused suspicion in the minds of his fans.

The actor, who is known for his signature pot belly, shocked many when he posted new photos of his physique which has undergone a drastic transformation.

However, Okon told Saturday Beats that he would not be deterred by naysayers claiming that he underwent liposuction to lose fat. He said, “I lost weight because I decided to live longer and happier. For one’s life to be longer and qualitative one needs to take care of one’s health. Although being a comic actor didn’t make me put on some weight, it is culinary and dietary indiscipline that made me add so much weight. When I shot into limelight, I didn’t have a big belly. The big belly grew over time and the people adapted to it. They’ll also adapt to the fact that the belly is no longer there. I started my weight loss journey on November 1.

“I did not lose weight because I was body-shamed or so that I could fit into society. I lost weight because my cardio was a mess. I couldn’t even climb two floors without an elevator. I was just afraid because whenever I sat down, I breathed like someone who was snoring. I knew I was ageing faster than my real anger and I had to do something about it.”

Okon, who was a former special assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, on Ethical and Social Reorientation also said he would run for a political office if he is convinced.

“I am not going to run for any political office if I am not genuinely sent. There is a need for me to be convinced by the people who need me to run. If they genuinely want to, they would let me know. Also, I would not be the one to go and break the bank, get a loan or sell personal properties to be a political Good Samaritan,” he added.

Okon also noted that one of the disadvantages of being a celebrity is that people feel entitled because celebrities influence their lives so they feel they have to get involved in the celebrities’ lives as well.