After South Africa Rejected Her, Chidimma Adetshina Crowned Miss Universe Nigeria
Few weeks ago Chidimma Adetshina became a darling of the internet after being seriously antagonised over her nationality and forced to drop out of the Miss South Africa contest. She has a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, some say South African, which disqualifies her according to those who didn’t like her origin even though it’s not of her making.
Ms Adetshina was crowned “Miss Universe Nigeria 2024”, she cried tears of joy as she was named the winner on Saturday.
“This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity,” the 23-year-old law student stated as she bask in the euphoria of her newly earned status. She was invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria after her position as a finalist in the Miss South Africa contest sparked a wave of criticism.
Some people in South Africa had questioned her eligibility to compete in the beauty pageant because despite being a South African citizen, Ms Adetshina’s father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.
The contest sparked an online ‘war’ between the Nigerian and South African internet users which consist most of young minds, they shaded each other over who counts as South African.
The event had to be investigated as the organisers of Miss South Africa asking the nation’s home affairs department to look into her eligibility.
After an initial probe, the department announced that Miss Adetshina’s mother may have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national.
And according to same report, it says that Ms Adetshina “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time”.
In less than 48 hours after the announcement, Ms Adetshina dropped out of the contest, saying she took the decision for her and her family’s safety and wellbeing.
This single act got the internet buzzing and her ordeal had made headlines around the world.
In the heat and back and forth of the matter, organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria reached out to her after hearing her story which by now is already trending.
She came and represented her father’s country in a global stage and did well. After winning the contest on Saturday, Ms Adetshina will represent Nigeria at November’s Miss Universe competition.
Video/Photo credit: Instagram/Silver bird, Miss Universe
