Embattled Miss South African finalist, Chidinma to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant

Former embattled Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina has accepted the offer to participate in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that Adetshina, in a formal statement on August 8th pulled out from the South African beauty pageant following attacks over her Nigerian ancestry.

Chidimma, born to Nigerian (dad) and Mozambican (mum) heritage, endured a series of severe xenophobic attacks from the South African public after she was named among the top ten finalists in the Miss South Africa grand finale, which was held on August 10, 2024, in Pretoria.

Chidimma said her decision to withdraw from the country’s competition was for the “safety of my family and I”.

Following Chidima’s withdrawal, Miss Universe Nigeria’s organisers invited the beauty queen to participate in this year’s pageant.

A video that surfaced online today captured Chidimma expressing excitement as she accepted the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant invitation.

The 23-year-old model also thanked the organisers for allowing her to participate in what she described as “Africa’s most prestigious” pageant.

“With great excitement, I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant,” she said in social media post shared by Ben Murray-Bruce, the founder of Silverbird Group, the pageant organisers.

“Now, I understand the expectations and responsibilities that come with this title and I’m so excited to be back on this journey.

“I just want to say thank you so much for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria.”