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Chidimma Adetshina Opens Up On Her Emotional Journey And Triumph (Video)
![Uduak Chidimma](https://gwg.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Chidimma-Adetshina-Triumphs-as-Miss-Universe-Nigeria-After-South-African-Rejection-.jpg)
Chidimma Adetshina, recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has shared the emotional journey that led her to win the prestigious title.
Representing Taraba State, the black beauty queen emerged victorious, beating 25 other contestants at the grand finale held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. As the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma will now represent the country on the global stage at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Chidimma opened up about the challenges she faced, particularly the heartbreak of being forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe South Africa pageant earlier this year due to questions surrounding her citizenship. Born to a South African mother and a Nigerian father, Chidimma had lived in South Africa for 23 years but was still deemed “not South African enough” by some due to her name. The controversy led to a wave of criticism on social media, eventually forcing her to step down from the competition in July.
Reflecting on the experience, Chidimma admitted that it was a deeply emotional time for her. “It has been a hectic one, and I think I’ve been avoiding talking about it because it’s so emotional for me,” she said. “I just cried earlier because I think I need to get used to talking about it. It’s not a nice feeling at all, and I think I’ve been avoiding it a lot, but it’s now starting to cloud and affect me. What happened wasn’t a minor thing; it was really major, but I will be okay.”
Watch the video below;
Despite the setback, Chidimma’s resilience shone through. After her withdrawal from the South African pageant, a Caucasian contestant, Mia Le Roux, who is deaf and has a cochlear implant, went on to win. Chidimma’s journey, however, took a turn for the better when Guy Murray-Bruce, the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, extended an invitation for her to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant.
Chidimma’s path to victory wasn’t without further challenges. In an attempt to undermine her success, some South Africans rallied behind a plus-sized model representing Kwara State, Ufa Dania, hoping to see her win instead. Dania led the voting with 23,901 votes, while Chidimma closely followed with 23,422 votes. However, in a show of overwhelming support, Nigerians came through for Chidimma, helping her secure the title and proving that resilience and unity can triumph over adversity.
Speaking after her win, Chidimma emphasized that her victory wasn’t just for herself but for everyone who dreams of a better and more united future. “This win is not just for me; it’s for all of us. It’s a true call for unity,” she said.
Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to becoming Miss Universe Nigeria is a testament to her strength, resilience, and grace, and her story continues to inspire many as she prepares to represent Nigeria on the world stage.
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