After facing a wave of xenophobic abuse in South Africa, 23-year-old law student Chidimma Adetshina is now chasing her Miss Universe dream in Nigeria. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father, Adetshina was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa contest last month to protect her family from the backlash. But instead of letting the hate win, she found a new opportunity in Nigeria.
The Miss Universe Nigeria organizers welcomed her with open arms, proving that beauty transcends borders. Guy Murray-Bruce, founder of Miss Universe Nigeria, emphasized the need for unity in Africa, saying, “There is enough racism in the world. We shouldn’t be fighting with one another.”
Despite the painful experience, Adetshina has found solace among her fellow contestants in Lagos, who have embraced her as a sister. Lucille Oputa, representing Abuja, echoed this sentiment: “Beauty contests are supposed to be places filled with love.” Other contestants like Chioma Ogbonna and Esther Gabriel highlighted the importance of building bridges across races and nationalities.
Adetshina’s story is one of resilience, unity, and hope in the face of adversity. As she prepares to represent Taraba State in the contest, she stands as a symbol of courage, reminding us that dreams can rise above hate.
