Diminishing Profile of Nike Oshinowo
Once upon a time, Nike Oshinowo was indeed a heavyweight in the social circle. No social gathering or event is complete without her name on the list, and she was always the cynosure of all eyes, as guests usually can’t resist her infectious swag and lifestyle. Even the media are always ready to feast on her because there was always something new from this former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.But for some years now, the controversial socialite, who has had quite an inspiring life, from having her twins at 47 and being an inspiration to young women with her silent battles and rise to the top, has maintained a low profile. She has hibernated that even her close friends are wondering what could be responsible for such shocking decision.
Even though her road to stardom was not on a bed of roses, she lived a life the stuff of dreams, hanging out with the crème-de-la-creme of the society within and outside Nigeria. But just like the law of karma, the searchlight on her blossoming career has continued to dim.
Some sources close to her claim she is keeping a low profile because she no longer have the financial muscle to continue her flamboyant lifestyle, besides, the numerous men who usually flock around her have disappeared, since age is no longer on her side.
Other sources are of the opinion that she has seen it all, and the most honourable decision to take is to quit while the ovation is still loud. “She is concentrating on her family now. She has kids (twins) to take care of, and that should be her priority for now,” a source told this magazine.
For many years, Nike Oshinowo battled with endometriosis, an ailment which practically makes a woman menstruate longer in unbearable pain and prevents them from being pregnant. She once confessed that “I have lived with endometriosis since the age of 13. I was sent to boarding school in England. It was during the first few days in secondary school that I began my (menstrual) periods. They called the ambulance and I was hospitalized for 10 days because the pain started and wouldn’t stop. I thought I was going to die, the first two days I was in the infirmary. I’m telling the story because it happened in England and, supposedly, the white people, who knew best, yet had no idea what was wrong with me.
“Living with endometriosis is a challenge. When you see your doctor, your doctor just tries to treat the symptoms and assumes the pain resolves around your menstrual cycle. But this is not so. The pain affects every single aspect of your life. I have never had an examination without my period; I have never travelled without my period. There are so many things I have never done without my period. When I’m very happy, my period comes, when I’m depressed, my period is there. I learned just to cope with it. I love the quote that women wear their pain like stilettos. That’s what I have been doing.
“Until I turned 40, Nigerians didn’t know I suffered from endometriosis. I granted an interview and Nigerians understood why I never drank alcohol. You cannot be on medication and take alcohol. It was finally understood why I was so clean cut and into healthy living. The first time I experienced the pain of endometriosis was very traumatic. I thought I was going to die. Really, I have lost count of the number of surgeries that I have had but I sure know that it’s more than 17 times.”
But one thing that is sure about Oshinowo is that despite this challenge, she always gets her groove, little wonder she is regarded as a model, fitness expert, socialite, business woman, ambassador and entrepreneur.
Despite being romantically linked with many influential men in the society, her marriage and eventual separation from the famous Dr Ayotunde Soleye was the high point of her envious lifestyle. Since the union hits the rocks in 2012, her career has drastically nosedived.
Nike Oshinowo, who was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1990, was introduced to Dr Soleye by Segun Awolowo Jnr, and the union lasted about four years before falling like a pack of cards.
