Nigerian model and beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina has made her country proud once again as she emerged as the first runner-up of Miss Universe 2024.
The model, who won Miss Universe Nigeria, represented the country at the just concluded Miss Universe 2024, which was held in Mexico on Sunday, November 17th, where she clinched the title of 1st runner-up, thereby making history as the first Nigerian to do so. Chidimma best 120 contestants from across the globe to clinch the title.
Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig emerged as the winner of Miss Universe 2024. Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico came second runner-up, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was third runner-up, and Ileana Marquez of Venezuela was fourth runner-up.
Many Nigerians took to social media to celebrate Chidimma’s victory.
One 1103_style_hub wrote, “South Africans will not sleep well
One i_tee wrote, “History has been made
One Peacella_npk wrote, “Her story is powerful. I’m so happy for her
One Missy Chichie wrote, “She deserves it after all that drama
One Ayoola Mercy wrote, “She deserves it well done
One Tracy Okito wrote, “This is a success story
One Efunwa Ifeanyi wrote, “History has been made”.
Recall that Chidimma, who represented Taraba State at the Miss Universe pageant beat 25 others to emerge the winner of the night. The model was crowned the new Miss Universe Nigeria and would represent Nigerians at the Miss Universe pageantry in Mexico.
Chidimmaβs journey to winning the title was nothing short of strength, resilience and grace as she was forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe South Africa pageantry in July. South Africans had questioned her citizenship and took to social media to call for her removal. Adetshina is born to a South African mother and a Nigerian father.
Guy Murray-Bruce, the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, had invited her to compete in the MUN 2024, which she won despite the ploys of South Africans to overthrow her.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Chidimma recounted her emotional journey, as she admitted that it had been a hectic one for her. She expressed sadness that South Africans felt she wasnβt South Africans enough because of her name, despite living in the country for 23 years. She expressed heartbreak that she wasnβt welcomed and accepted.
