Over the weekend, 23-year-old South African-born Chidimma Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on 31 August.
CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA
Chidimma Adetshina was invited to the pageant after she withdrew from Miss South Africa after South Africans questioned her eligibility to contest.
This came after she revealed she was born to a South African mother (Zulu) of Mozambican descent and a Nigerian father.
Her participation became a national debate, and the Home Affairs Department was tagged along to clarify the matter.
However, the department found prima facie evidence to believe that Adetshina’s mother, a Mozambican, “may have committed fraud” in 2001. Against the investigation, she withdrew from Miss SA, citing safety concerns.
Chidimma Adetshina posted, “After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.
“With the full support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
However, despite withdrawing, she was invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
She was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on 31 August at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, who is set to represent Nigeria in Mexico, has since opened up about her woes in a now-viral interview.
The 23-year-old revealed that the outcry of her competing in the Miss South Africa pageant all started with her name.
“South Africans felt like I was not South African enough because of my name, and it was really hard to see.
“It was a very horrible experience, and I would not wish it on anybody because I have lived there for 23 years. It is heartbreaking to see that I was not welcomed and accepted,” said Chidimma Adetshina.
However, she made it known that several incidents happened behind the scenes, leading to her withdrawal from Miss SA.
‘I’M STILL SOUTH AFRICAN AND PROUDLY NIGERIAN’
However, during her recent interview, she revealed that she is South African and proudly Nigerian.
Chidimma Adetshina said, “A decision needed to be made, and it really hit social media as well. There were some statements that came out from Home Affairs, with regards to my mom’s ID as well and that is still a legal matter.
“What I do know is that I was born in South Africa, and I am still South African, and I am still proudly Nigerian. I was really excited to get an invitation from Silver bird to come represent Nigeria in Miss Universe Nigeria.”