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.