The decision by the Miss Universe Nigeria organization to extend an invitation to Chidimma Adetshina, a former finalist in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, has sparked considerable controversy and debate among Nigerians. While some have welcomed the move as a gesture of support for a young woman caught in a difficult situation, others are less than pleased, questioning the fairness of the invitation and the timing of the decision.
Chidimma, who is of Nigerian descent through her father, withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition earlier this month following a public outcry over her heritage and allegations related to her mother’s citizenship. The situation culminated in Chidimma stepping down, citing the safety and well-being of her family as her primary concern.
However, the Miss Universe Nigeria organization’s subsequent invitation to Chidimma to participate in their 2024 pageant has been met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that the move undermines the efforts of the contestants who have already gone through the rigorous process of auditioning and competing for a spot in the pageant. Some Nigerians have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, with many questioning the fairness of allowing Chidimma to enter the competition at this late stage.
One comment reads, “I’m sorry this is so not fair!!!! She did not audition!! So because you have international drama… you’ve earned your spot to compete??? No, not fair at all!!!!”
Another concerned individual suggested that the timing of the invitation was problematic: “I think next year would have been better. This year’s contest has already hit the road. Besides, she needs time to get her proper documentation as a Nigerian citizen. Being of Nigerian descent isn’t enough. She needs a Nigerian Identification number or a Nigerian passport. Give the girl time and focus on the girls you have at hand.”
The criticism didn’t stop there, as some felt that Chidimma’s participation would overshadow the hard work of the other contestants: “They should send her funds; they can even do it publicly, but this move is a disgrace. She’s not a citizen of Nigeria, does not hold a Nigerian passport, cannot legally vote in Nigeria. Life happens to everyone, but she should be consoled some other way. This is trash.”
Others raised concerns about the potential favoritism that might be shown toward Chidimma, with one commenter stating: “Not the org disregarding the contestants who have gone through a lot to get to where they are now. Obviously, if she competes she’s gonna get crowned, as it’s obvious she is being favored. Isn’t this a slap to other contestants? Literally calling them unworthy and unqualified. What happened to extending this invite for next year’s edition since this year has already gone far? Honestly, if I was the contestant, I would drop out from the competition after this. It’s a competition and supposed to be fair. And from the look of things, it seems this edition is never gonna be fair.”
The controversy surrounding Chidimma’s invitation to Miss Universe Nigeria comes on the heels of a separate, albeit related, incident where Nigerian singer Burna Boy mocked South Africa for choosing a white Miss South Africa. Burna Boy’s tweet, which read, “😂😂So After ALL that.. ……. 😂😂😂,” accompanied by a photo of the new Miss South Africa 2024, alluded to the uproar over Chidimma’s participation in the South African pageant.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Chidimma will accept the invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria. While her story is one of resilience and cultural complexity, the reactions to her potential participation highlight the challenges of navigating national identity and the importance of fairness in competitive arenas.
### BEAUTY: Miss Universe Nigeria Extends Invitation to Chidimma Adetshina After Her Withdrawal from Miss South Africa
In a surprising turn of events, Chidimma Adetshina, a former finalist in the 2024 Miss South Africa beauty pageant, has been officially invited to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition. The invitation comes after Chidimma made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant, following a wave of controversy surrounding her Nigerian heritage and the circumstances of her citizenship.
Chidimma, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, has always been proud of her diverse heritage. However, her participation in the Miss South Africa competition sparked a national debate that led to a government investigation. The controversy centered around allegations that Chidimma’s mother had committed identity theft when acquiring her South African citizenship, which in turn fueled public backlash against the young beauty queen.
On August 8th, Chidimma announced her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, citing concerns for her family’s safety. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, she expressed her gratitude for the experience while highlighting the difficult decision she had to make:
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience,” Chidimma wrote.
In response to these events, the Miss Universe Nigeria organization extended a supportive hand to Chidimma, acknowledging the challenges she has faced and offering her a new opportunity to continue her journey in the world of pageantry. The organization shared a formal invitation addressed to Chidimma, encouraging her to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, where she could proudly represent her father’s native land.
