Former Miss SA Finalist Chidimma Adetshina Shifts Focus to Advocacy for Inclusion Amid Citizenship Controversy
LAGOS, NIGERIA – Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa finalist and current contestant for Miss Universe Nigeria, has redirected her platform towards advocating for inclusion and acceptance, a shift from her earlier focus on combating violence against women and children. This change comes in the wake of intense online scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding her heritage and citizenship, which led to her withdrawal from the Miss SA pageant.
Adetshina, 23, originally entered the Miss South Africa competition with the aim of raising awareness about the pervasive issue of violence against women and children. In her Miss SA entry video, she passionately stated, “Violence against women and children remains unreported. The silence surrounding violence against women and children must be broken, and it is time for us to take stronger measures to address the crimes against our victims and to create a safer society for women and children. Along with the Miss SA platform, I can encourage society to join hands with me in advocating for change and supporting initiatives that will protect women.”
However, her participation in Miss SA was cut short due to a controversy regarding her citizenship. The South African Department of Home Affairs found prima facie evidence suggesting that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the woman registered as Adetshina’s mother. Her father is also under investigation for his alleged involvement in registering her birth. The scrutiny surrounding her identity forced Adetshina to step back from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and that of her family.
Now, Adetshina has embraced a new mission as she represents Taraba State in the Miss Universe Nigeria competition. In her campaign for the crown, she has shifted her focus to promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity, drawing on her personal experiences of adversity. “As a woman who has faced adversity, I want to use my voice and story alongside the Miss Universe Nigeria platform to promote inclusion and acceptance. I also want to educate people on the power of diversity to build a stronger community that benefits everyone,” she said.
Adetshina is currently leading in the Miss Universe Nigeria votes, a testament to her strong following and the resonance of her message. She has called on her supporters to help her achieve her goal, stating, “When we value diversity and celebrate our differences, we become accepting of one another, which allows us to be inclusive. We all deserve a seat at the table. Let’s work together to create a stronger community to benefit everyone without excluding anyone.”
Adetshina’s journey has been marked by both triumph and tribulation. While her withdrawal from Miss SA was a significant setback, she has found new purpose in Nigeria, her father’s homeland. By using her platform to advocate for inclusion, she hopes to inspire others to embrace diversity and work towards building a more inclusive society.
As the Miss Universe Nigeria competition progresses, all eyes will be on Adetshina as she continues to champion her cause and strive for the title. Her story is one of resilience and transformation, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that pageantry can have beyond beauty, as a platform for meaningful change.
