Beauty Queen Turned Advocate Condemns Xenophobia

Dr. May Ikeora, a former Miss ECOWAS and runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, has spoken out against the xenophobic attack on Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina.

The accomplished beauty queen and now respected academic expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting it as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges of racism and discrimination on the continent. She emphasized the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and advocacy to address these issues.

“This deeply troubling incident underscores the importance of fostering unity and understanding between Nigeria and South Africa,” Dr. Ikeora stated. “It’s crucial for the leaders of both nations to prioritize addressing the root causes of this xenophobia.”

While acknowledging the historic nature of the Miss South Africa pageant’s first deaf winner, Dr. Ikeora cautioned against allowing the controversy to overshadow this significant achievement. She stressed the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Turning her attention to Chidimma Adetshina, Dr. Ikeora expressed her heartfelt support for the young woman. “I hope this ordeal will ignite a fire within her to become a powerful advocate for change,” she said. “She has a unique opportunity to transform this adversity into a platform for positive impact.”