Chidimma Adetshina has admitted that she probably wouldn’t have represented Nigeria if she had not been given an opportunity to do so.
The former Miss SA finalist – now vying for the Miss Universe Nigeria crown – has made headlines over questions and concerns surrounding her citizenship.
CHIDIMMA ON MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA: ‘I WOULDN’T HAVE ENTERED’
Speaking in an interview with Arise News, Chidimma Adetshina revealed that she had dreamed of participating in the Miss Universe pageant as a child.
Although her dreams of representing her birth country, South Africa, were cut short over a high-profile investigation by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the 23-year-old was given another shot at representing Nigeria.
As the daughter of a Nigerian man, Miss Universe Nigeria CEO Guy Bruce-Murray claimed that Chidimma was eligible to participate.
When asked if representing Nigeria was ever her ambition, Chidimma responded: “No.”
She added: “I wouldn’t have known if I was able to. And also, it has been a long time since I’ve been here.
“The invitation came, and I was really excited that I was given this opportunity; that’s why I took it.”
When asked about the reception she received from fellow contestants amid criticism of being given an “unfair advantage,” she responded: “I came in here thinking they would feel some type of way about the invitation.
“I have received love and encouragement from all of the girls. I’m happy they have accepted me”.
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Chidimma added that she would address concerns about her citizenship “after the pageant.”
Meanwhile, DHA has yet to reveal the full findings of its investigation into allegations of identity theft and fraud against Chidimma’s parents.
NOT COMING ‘HOME’?
In another interview, Chidimma revealed that she was not keen to return “home” to South Africa.
Speaking to Cool FM, she said: “I think it’s safe to say I am not going back again. It is amazing; it has been amazing. I am not even looking forward to going back. I just want to explore more; I want to stay longer and see what happens next”.
Chidimma added that she was keen to enter the reality TV show Big Brother Nigeria next year.