Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Thursday received Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Onwe-Adetsina, at the Government House, where he also appointed her as the brand ambassador for the state. Onwe-Adetsina, an indigene of Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government Area, was accompanied by her father, Mr. Okechukwu Onwe, during the visit.
Governor Mbah, while addressing Miss Onwe-Adetsina, commended her determination and resilience, noting that she embodies the strong and tenacious spirit of the people of Enugu State. A statement from the governor’s media office highlighted Mbah’s admiration for her journey to success.
“I am very delighted to congratulate and welcome you to your homeland. Enugu State has played a consequential role in the history of this nation. So, you should really be proud of your heritage and we are equally proud to have you as a daughter of Enugu State,” Mbah stated.
He continued by praising her resilience, noting that her journey serves as an inspiration to many young people. “Your story is inspiring. You could see that despite all attempts to malign and discourage you, you demonstrated that you are a true daughter of Enugu State. You overcame those challenges with the grit and resilience the people of Enugu State are known for,” the governor added.
Governor Mbah also emphasized the significance of engaging the youth, especially young women, through role models like Onwe-Adetsina. “With the height and the feat you have attained today, you are able to act as a major influence to our young people, girls in particular. We are going to look at how you could engage some of our young people, share your experience, what you have been through, and how you got to where you are today. Sharing that will be quite inspiring and encouraging,” he said.
Mbah further assured Miss Onwe-Adetsina of the full support of the state as she prepares to compete in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico. He highlighted his administration’s focus on education as a critical investment in the future of the state’s youth. “We are obsessed with the investment we make in our youths, which is why it is a state where 33 percent of our budget goes to education. That is because we believe that the true wealth of any nation or indeed any state lies in the quality and standard of their human resources,” Mbah said.
“As you go into the next stage of the competition and career, you are going to carry our flag. And as you do that, you can count on our support and commitment to your success,” he added.
In her response, Miss Onwe-Adetsina expressed her gratitude to the governor and the people of Enugu State for the warm reception. She commended Governor Mbah for his commitment to improving the education system, pledging to work with the state to mentor and inspire the younger generation.
“It has been a lovely experience coming to Nigeria. I feel accepted and loved. I also want to use the opportunity to commend you on your great work. As a woman who is really passionate about education, it is really an honour to have someone contribute to the education system for the betterment of the people and also for a better tomorrow,” Onwe-Adetsina stated.
She went on to share details of her journey, revealing that she had to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition due to backlash and safety concerns, but found a second chance to represent her heritage through Miss Universe Nigeria.
“They said I am not South African enough because my name is Chidimma; and in the final week of the competition, I had to withdraw for my safety and my family because the backlash was too much for me. After my withdrawal, I received an invitation from Silverbird, and I accepted that invitation to come and compete for Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, and I was crowned,” Onwe-Adetsina explained.
She expressed deep gratitude to Nigeria for giving her the opportunity to reclaim her heritage. “I am really grateful because it was the opportunity for me to come back home to reclaim my heritage. I felt the love, and I felt accepted. Nigeria picked me up when I was on my knees, and I am really grateful.”
Reflecting on her experiences, she added, “I really do feel that my story is a very powerful one, not only in Nigeria but all over the world. A lot of youths can resonate with my story and they can learn from my journey.”
Also speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, expressed optimism that Miss Onwe-Adetsina would succeed at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico, representing Nigeria and Enugu State with distinction..
