Nigeria’s beauty queen is Chidimma Adetshina, who was compelled to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition because of abuse about her nationality.
When Ms. Adetshina was named Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday, August 31, she was overcome with happiness and tears.
“This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity. The 23-year-old law student said, “I am really grateful and proud that I am going to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, and I know we are going to win.”
She was asked to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria following her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition due to a disagreement about nationality.
Adetshina will compete in the worldwide Miss Universe competition in Mexico in November, representing Nigeria.
Related story:‘I cry myself to sleep over my identity crisis’ – Chidimma Adetshina
Despite being a citizen of South Africa, some people in that country have questioned Ms. Adetshina’s eligibility to compete in the beauty contest because her mother is from Mozambique and her father is from Nigeria.
Ms. Adetshina stated in interviews that she was raised in Cape Town and was born in Soweto, a township close to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The controversy surrounding her nationality prompted an inquiry, and Miss South Africa organizers requested that the country’s home affairs agency check her eligibility.
Following an initial investigation, the department declared that it was possible that Miss Adetshina’s mother had used “identity theft” to get South African citizenship.
