Chidinma’s Victory as Miss Universe Nigeria Teaches the Power of Resilience

In a world where shortcuts and deceit may seem to offer quick gains, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of integrity. However, history has shown time and time again that resilience and diligence are the keys to a lasting success. Miss Chidinma Adetshina, a law student and model has repeated this history. Despite all odds and hindrances, she gained victory and was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday 31st August, 2024.

Recall her experience in the past few months, where she contested, just as every other contestant, for the crown of Miss South Africa and forcefully had to quit the pageant after qualifying for the finals due to false allegations and xenophobic backlashes. The South African born is paternally Nigerian and maternally South African and apparently that was an issue. Following her withdrawal, she received an invite from Miss Universe Nigeria to participate in their contest stating that her “journey in the world of pageantry is far from over” and she would represent her father’s land, Nigeria, on the international stage.

Miss Chidinma Adetshina, gracefully agreed to join the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, contested as Miss Taraba, and went through all the rigorous screening as the other contestants with no preferential treatments, after which she won and was crowned miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday. She will represent Nigeria on the international stage at November’s Miss Universe competition in Mexico. There, she will face Miss South Africa, Miss Mia le Roux, who became the first deaf woman in history to win the Miss South Africa crown, among other contestants.

Miss Adetshina’s victory was celebrated on different social media handles, with different comments from supporters. Some of these comments include:

“Trust me guys we Nigerians are proud of her… she’s our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl, our Nigerian blood runs through her veins.”

Even a South African on Instagram commented that: “Your story is inspirational – you are stronger than you think and we love you our African sister”.

Although, not everyone was pleased with her winning the competition. Some negative comments include:

“She’s undeserving”; “In all honesty you won out of pity… feeling very sorry for the other contestants who were there long before you came”.

The experience of Miss Adetshina’s teaches that in life, no matter how hard one tries, he or she can’t get everyone’s support. Miss Adetshina’s story should serve as an inspiration to those who feel discriminated or want to give up. The race of life is not for the starters but the finishers. As long as you set your mind to do something, despite the odds, remember that there is a giant ability in you that needs to be activated in other for you to achieve it.

Miss Adetshina stated after she was crowned that “This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity”. We wish her the best as she contests on the global stage, even as we look forward to her becoming the next Miss Universe.