Grapevine

Oshonaike loving ‘challenging’ nursing career

The Bariga, Lagos-born, decried the loss of patience but was consoled by the privilege of performing the funeral rites.

”Returning from the Paris Olympic Games has been incredibly stressful, and though I desperately needed some time to rest, I had to jump back into my normal life as a nursing student right away. The hardest part was discovering that one of my favourite patients had entered palliative care. I lost her two days ago, but I was honoured to be the one to prepare her for her final journey. I never imagined I would have the strength to care for someone after they’ve passed, but I did it. Nursing is far from easy, yet I love it with all my heart, and I’m proud to see myself growing stronger and more capable each day. You truly never know what you’re capable of until you’re put to the test,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday.

The indefatigable athlete recently narrated her experience during her eight appearances at the Olympic Games in Paris, where she got fagged out campaigning for votes across venues in order to secure one of the four athletes’ slots on the International Olympics Committee.

The statement titled My Journey to Paris 2024: Representing Nigeria read, “Paris 2024 was different from any Olympic experience I’ve had since 1996. This time, I wasn’t just competing—I was there to represent Nigeria in the IOC Athletes’ Commission election. Out of 100 athletes from around the world, I was one of the 30 chosen to compete for a spot, a moment of immense pride.

“When I saw the other candidates, I knew it would be a tough battle coming from a country with only 88 athletes. Many came from countries with larger contingents and more recognition. But I’m a fighter who believes that nothing is impossible.