Miss Universe first runner-up Chidimma Adetshina has revealed that she almost gave up during her difficult times.
Adetshina who is law student and model born and raised in South Africa represented her father’s country Nigeria in this year’s beauty pageant.
She withdrew from the ten finalists of Miss South Africa in August after facing xenophobic attacks on social media.
And four months later, she became the first runner-up to Miss Denmark who was crowned Miss Universe 2024.
“To Nigeria: Thank you is not enough for all the support you’ve shown. You picked me up when I was at my lowest.
“I’ve never opened up much but I was ready to give up on my life but you became my strenght to fight.
“I’m so grateful for each and everyone for walking this journey with me.
“To Africa: Thank you for showing your love and support. As much as I represent Nigeria, Africa fought for me. My voice, my story touched many and brought us together, This journey has taught me the power of unity, I want us to live in a society where we can all accept and celebeate one another.
“This is not the end but the beginning of my journey.
“Love Miss Universe 1st runner,” wrote after emerging runner-up at Miss Universe pageant.
Meanwhile, the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has hailed the emergence of Chidimma Adetshina, on her emergence as the first runner-up at the 2024 Miss Universe.
Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, trailed behind Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig who was crowned the winner of the contest.
In a statement on Sunday by her media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NiDCOM boss described Miss Adetshina’s feat as a “reward for her doggedness and resilience.”
Dabiri-Erewa expressed excitement that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.
She recalled “Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage , some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa,” the statement read.
“Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.”
The beauty queen was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island, with music legend, D’banj in attendance.
