Beauty Queen Clinches Miss Nigeria Amid South Africa Controversy

A former Miss South Africa contestant embroiled in a nationality dispute has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, marking the end of an overwhelming few weeks for the beauty queen.

Chidimma Adetshina, 23, whose father is Nigerian, made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition due to a backlash that highlighted anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa. She cited “the safety and wellbeing of my family and I” as her reasons for pulling out.

“This journey has been a tough journey for me and I am so proud of myself and I’m really grateful for the love and the support,” Adetshina told AFP minutes after being crowned in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted, and I’m really glad that I have a second shot as well at achieving it,” she added, expressing her delight.

Adetshina’s Nigerian roots became a focal point for vicious xenophobic attacks and controversy when she was announced as a Miss South Africa finalist in July. The situation further escalated when the South African government indicated it was investigating claims that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

Despite not having been in Nigeria for 20 years, the organizers of the Nigerian contest invited her to compete, providing her with a fresh opportunity to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage.”

“We all need to stop with the xenophobia… with the tribalism,” first runner-up Paula Ezendu told AFP, emphasizing unity. “We’re all one family. We’re all human beings,” she added.

Despite the nationality controversy, Adetshina maintained her love for South Africa and appreciated the support she received from the country.

Adetshina will now represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition in November. “I know we are going to win,” she confidently told reporters.

Source: AFP