Chidimma Adetshina: From Rejected S/African Contestant to Nigerian Superstar 

By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba 

From disgrace to grace, Chidinma Adetshina, a Nigerian model who was once rejected by South Africa and was accused of allegedly committing identity fraud, has emerged first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, taking home an impressive array of prizes and benefits.

Chidinma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in Soweto to an Igbo Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother and she grew up in Cape Town.

The 25-year-old beauty queen, who was crowned first runner-up in the prestigious international competition, has won an astonishing package worth millions. The prizes include:

A cash prize of $100,000

A 1-year lease on a luxury apartment in New York City

A dazzling $3 million diamond-encrusted crown

Valuable connections and contacts to launch a successful career in modeling and showbiz.

Chidinma’s remarkable journey to success is an inspiration to many. Despite facing rejection in South Africa, she persevered and went on to represent Nigeria on the global stage, making her country proud.

With her newfound fame and fortune, Chidimma is poised to become a household name in the entertainment industry. Her rags-to-riches story is a testament to her hard work, determination and resilience.

Her remarkable story will go a long way to inspire a lot of Nigerian girls out there who are just as brilliant, ambitious, passionate and dedicated to their craft. They have to realise that no matter the circumstances of their birth, origin, background or parentage, they can achieve their dreams and get to the top of their chosen career.

This should also encourage the Nigerian government to do more in supporting the dreams and aspirations of the Nigerian girl. There is no reason any girl child in Nigeria should be out of school. What Chidinma and other Nigerian youths in Diaspora are achieving has shown that we have all it takes in terms of human resources to compete in the comity of successful nations.

This country should be made habitable in such a way that Nigerians can stay in their country and have the assurance of excelling with their spouses and offsprings. They should only leave out of their own choices, not be driven away by insecurity and grim social and economic conditions.