On this week's episode of Village Beauty, we have Miss Adebimpe Amirah Olabisi, popularly known as Mirah, a 300 level student of the department of English, University of Ibadan. In this interview with Zik Hall Press correspondent, Olamilekan Sodiq, she gives us insight into her modelling, dancing, fashion design career as well as her perspective on Zik Hall.
Zik Press: Good morning Miss Mirah, can you please introduce yourself?
Mirah: Good morning, My name is Adebimpe Amirah Olabisi. I'm a 300 level student of the department of English, University of Ibadan.I'm a model, a dancer, a fashion designer, and a lot more.
Zik Press: You have such a diverse set of interests and talents. How do you balance these different pursuits with your academics?
Mirah: To be honest, balancing everything with education has not been an easy thing to do, especially in a school like UI, you know you have to give it your best if you don't want to be tsunamised out of UI. But the desire to grow has kept me going and also because I know no one is coming to save me. I believe every student can balance work with academics. You just have to set realistic goals and know what you want. List out what you stand to gain if you keep going and that will fuel your desire to be the best at everything you do.
Zik Press: You said setting realistic goals and understanding what you want have been crucial for you. Can you provide an example of a specific goal you set for yourself in one of your creative pursuits and how working towards that goal has impacted your approach to balancing your studies and other activities?
Mirah: Setting realistic goal for my creative pursuits is totally different from setting academic goals. For my creative pursuits, at the beginning of last year, I drafted out a plan on how I wanted to be signed into an agency, get more exposure through them and somehow boost my social media accounts and by the grace of God, I actually got a job to be the content and growth manager for a fashion brand and I have also been opportuned to work with creatives from different spheres.
I am one of the creators at AWA- a community of UI creatives and we've been working on different projects. For my academics, 100l was very challenging for me cause I had health issues and a couple of other things that happened then so my CGPA started on a very low ground. I push my creative pursuits more than I push my academics but I was determined to make sure my CGPA didn't go any lower than it was in my 100l and with the help of God, it didn't. Those are examples of goals that I set and realized.
Zik Press: You've shared some great achievements and experiences. There's been a lot of buzz about Zik Hall among students, with some having mixed feelings. What's your thoughts on the hall and do you have any personal experience or opinion about the hall?
Mirah: Zik hall is simply the best! Anyone that hates Zik hall, simply doesn't know who Zikites are. One thing that stands out for me about Zikites is the spirit of brotherhood among them. How they'll go all out to support their own. This particular trait can't be found in most of the other halls and that's why they're always battling with inner conflicts amongst themselves. This is not to say Zik hall doesn't have its shortcomings. I mean, I've had my own share of the ritual they do when girls pass (à ró) but it's part of what makes Zik hall special.I love Zik hall.
Zik Press: This is nice, you've talked about brotherhood sense and traditions of Zik hall. Now, how has Zik Hall impacted your overall university experience?
Mirah: Apart from pushing for good leaders like Host whose administration addressed the concerns of student, Zik hall has taught me how to navigate through my relationships with fellow uites. That even If we have diverse opinions about the choice of candidates, it shouldn't change our personal relationships.Love always leads.
Zik Press: That nice, moving on, what advice do you have for Zikites.
Mirah: My advice to Zikites is that they should keep upholding their values and prestige.To love one another and not give a chance for disparities among them.
Zik Press: As we round up, what is your take on feminism and gender equality in Nigeria?
Mirah: I believe in the importance of gender equality and acknowledging the unique qualities and strengths of all individuals, regardless of their gender. Femininity and masculinity are social constructs that can limit people's potential and spread harmful stereotypes. Feminism in Nigeria somehow advocates for female superiority rather than equality. I think feminist in Nigeria should challenge their energy into fighting women abuse, stereotypes and other things like that rather than trying to show that they're superior to men.
Zik Press: You've shared some important views on gender equality and feminism in Nigeria. Do you have any parting words to say as we come to end of this interview?
Mirah: I just want to tell everyone out there trying to break barriers and secure generational wealth that it might look like all your efforts aren't yielding any results but trust me, you're equipping yourself with all you need for the final breakthrough. Keep being strong and hold onto God.
Zik Press: That’s nice, thanks for time Mirah, its very well appreciated and it's nice to have you here.
Mirah: It's good to be here.
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