Chidimma AdechinaA beauty contest contestant who faced a wave of hostility in South Africa after questions were raised about her nationality has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria.
Adetshina, 23 years old, triumphed at the pageant held Saturday night in Lagos. She will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico in November.
Last month, she quit the Miss South Africa pageant after being targeted by xenophobic online attacks, but later accepted an invitation to compete in the Nigerian pageant.
Many South Africans questioned her suitability to compete in their country’s competition after reports emerged that she had a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.
Miss Universe Nigeria organizers said at the time that Adetshina’s invitation was “an opportunity to represent her father’s native country on an international stage,” adding that her “journey in splendor is far from over.”
Write on Instagram After her win, Adetshina said it was “a dream come true” and described the crown as “not just a symbol of beauty” but “a call to action” for a united Africa.
“As I accept this honor, I want to share a vision that burns deep within me, a vision of African unity and peaceful coexistence!” she wrote in a proposition on her Instagram page.
“Let us break the barriers that divide us. Let us create a continent where every African can move freely and without prejudice, pursue their dreams and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our great continent,” the statement added.
South African authorities say they are working to clarify Adetshina’s citizenship status after the Department of Home Affairs, which oversees immigration, said her mother may have committed identity fraud to obtain South African citizenship in 2001.
However, the department acquitted Adetshina of any wrongdoing, as she was only a baby at the time.
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