Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has penned an emotional appreciation post to Nigerians following her appointment as the brand ambassador of Enugu State.
In a heartfelt message shared on her Instagram page, the beauty queen expressed her deep gratitude for the honor of meeting with the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubusi Mbah, and for the recognition she received upon her homecoming.
Chidimma, who recently returned to Nigeria after winning the prestigious Miss Universe Nigeria title, described her appointment as a moment of great pride. She thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout her journey, particularly during her difficult times.
I received the honour of being in the presence of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah. Upon my homecoming, I was received and appointed as the brand ambassador of Enugu State. I cannot express my gratitude for all the great things I have achieved in my father’s land. Again, Nigeria. THANK YOU for picking me up when I was on my knees,” she wrote.
Chidimma’s victory in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant has been a remarkable journey filled with resilience and grace. Representing Taraba State, she emerged victorious out of 25 contestants and is now set to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageantry in Mexico.
However, her road to success wasn’t without challenges. In July, Chidimma was forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe South Africa pageant due to controversy surrounding her citizenship. Despite being born to a South African mother and a Nigerian father, she faced backlash, with some South Africans questioning her identity and calling for her removal.
Amid this, Guy Murray-Bruce, the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, invited her to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, where she ultimately triumphed.
Her win was not without competition, as South Africans reportedly rallied behind another contestant, Ufa Dania, a plus-sized model representing Kwara State, in an attempt to unseat Chidimma. Despite the challenge, Nigerians came through for Chidimma, ensuring her victory by voting overwhelmingly in her favor.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Chidimma opened up about her emotional experience, expressing sadness over the rejection she faced in South Africa, a country where she had lived for 23 years. She spoke of the heartbreak she felt at not being accepted because of her name and nationality. Nonetheless, she remains proud of her roots and grateful for the support from her Nigerian family.
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