Nike’s New Project   

Ex-beauty queen, Nike Oshinowo-Soleye resuscitates the Miss Nigeria beauty Pageant.

•Nike Oshinowo-Soleye.

Nike Oshinowo-Soleye shot to limelight in 1990 when, at 24, she became the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, MBGN. After her reign, she ran a fashion and beauty show and was involved in many businesses, including running African Restaurant and Skin Deep. In January this year, she released a workout video–the first celebrity fitness DVD produced in Nigeria–called Nike Oshinowo: Fit, Forty and Fabulous.

Yet, 20 years after her reign as MBGN, Nike has not stopped her fabulous run. Now, she has resuscitated the Miss Nigeria pageant, the country’s premier beauty pageant which was for so many years in the doldrums. The first Miss Nigeria pageant was held in 1957 and was won by Grace Oyelude, who is 80 years old this year.

Still, this year’s contest, which is expected to hold on 25 September, is one with a difference. This is because the winner will not only be awarded full scholarship to study in an institution of higher learning anywhere in the world, she will drive home in a brand new luxury car, earn an annual salary of N3,000,000, enjoy accommodation in Lagos for a year during her reign and will be clothed by a foremost Nigerian designer for that period.

However, the most interesting thing about this year’s pageant is that it coincides with Nigeria’s 50th anniversary celebration, a fact which Oshinowo-Soleye is excited about. “I always draw paralles between Miss Nigeria competition and Nigeria itself. I know exactly what I want to do with it. I am taking us back to that old world glamour which it was originally set up to do. We are travelling around the country, discovering the beautiful locations, the beautiful cultures and tribes that we have because that is why the Miss Nigeria competition was set instituted in the first place – to highlight all the different aspects of our nation that as the same time bind us all together,” she told TheNEWS.

Oshinowo-Soleye said though the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant is being revived to provide a platform for Nigerian girls, the competition is more about showcasing the rich cultural traditions and moral values of the Nigerian people. The former beauty queen also said the pageant is placing a huge importance on education, a reason why a full scholarship will be awarded to the beauty queen.

Asked what process the selection of the new Miss Nigeria would take, she said the competition would be open and Nigerians would have the opportunity of choosing the beauty queen. Aside sheer physical attributes, emphasis would also be placed on character, etiquette and moral upbringing. “As a Miss Nigeria, you are a role model to young ladies. So, no messing around; no rubbish will be tolerated. And we will do this in concert with the parents,” she averred.

Though the pageant will hold in earnest in September, Oshinowo-Soleye had to cross so many hurdles before coming this far. First, she had to battle with the negative image associated with beauty pageants. Second, she had a Herculean task convincing corporate organisations to buy into the project. “It is quite challenging. I do thank the Almighty because he has been behind me right from the start,” she said.

—Nehru Odeh

Tags:  Miss Nigeria beauty Pageant, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Nike Oshinowo-Soleye