Wakilat Zakariyau: Education is the birthright of every girlchild


Wakilat Kikelomo Zakariyau is someone you can't overlook. With such a charming smile, she has defiled the notion of some schools of thoughts that believe a lady cannot be a beauty with brains. Her excellent spirit alone is very contagious. She graduated as a First Class graduate of B.A. Linguistics and Communication Studies and is the Overall Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Humanities, Osun State University. For the record, she is the first Muslim woman to attain such a feat. Can you beat that?

Asides from being an "Efiko", she is a serial entrepreneur. When she is not in school or working, she spends time volunteering for worthy causes. Humble, endearing, and nice describe her personality, but there is more to this young amazing lady. A chat with her and you become amazed that so much is going for her at a young age. 

Omote Ro Dhe had to catch up with her in an exclusive chat where she opened up about her work, beliefs, values, and more. She is my LinkedIn chat mate, we talk like we have known each other for ages. Read excerpts:

You did not only graduate with a First class honors but as the best graduating student in your department, which is highly commendable and impressive. What would you attribute to achieving this feat?

It feels surreal. It is a dream come true, I must say. First off, I'll attribute it all to The G-Factor: GOD. Then my parents. They're the fuel. My motivators. I draw so much strength and inspiration from my dad and mom. They are my rock. My family is my greatest support system. I also owe it to everyone who has contributed to my learning experience from cradle to date. All my teachers, lecturers, my mentors, well-wishers, and my real supportive friends. 

Excellence is part of my core values system and so in every situation, I always strive for the best and never settle for less. Discipline, consistency, prioritizing my priorities, laser focus on the big picture, having well-stated goals are factors that aided the process as well. It wasn't an easy ride, far from it. There were times I gave up on the whole thing. But at the end? I'm overwhelmed with joy. I thank God for making me navigate through it all... Alhamdulillah, it can only be Him. Yeah, I think I'm proud of myself (smiles).



What motivated you as a media enthusiast? And if there is something you would change in the media industry, what would that be?

I love to communicate. I am an excellent communicator both in writing and in person, and I am a confident, eloquent, and persuasive speaker. My zeal for the media heightened when I was in my finals. When I had to streamline my career choice: whether I should go for Linguistics or Communication. Practically, communication is my strength and I enjoyed it. 

Working in media industries or corporations is such an interesting career prospect to me. And to think of the experience I've garnered over time, it has always revolved around media and communication. I served in so many leadership capacities which I was duly appointed while in school, including the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of MSSN Al-Qalam Press, 2018/19, the Deputy Editor-in-chief of our departmental press club– LINCSSA Press, 2018/19, and the Editor-in-Chief of UNIOSUN Mirror Magazine, 2019/20.

Also, professional experience I've gained through internships I had done in media organizations, such as Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). During my internship at OSBC, I was able to have hands-on experience and an overview of broadcast journalism as a profession. That was when I completely fell in love with broadcasting. So I am a media enthusiast because I'm passionate about the industry If there is anything I'd like to change that would be a low representation of Muslim women in the media by being an excellent ambassador. Also, I'd like to positively influence some misconceptions about Islam as portrayed by the media.


With so many interests and involvement in volunteerism, how do you find time to relax and how do you do it?

Amid all this, I still take time to rejuvenate. When I feel overwhelmed, I shut down. My favourite pastimes are usually spent reading, journaling, meditating, crafting, sleeping, hanging out solo or with a friend(s), or doing nothing at all. Sometimes rejuvenating means going offline for weeks, I do that every year. To take time out from social media and focus on my well-being.

In this trying period of the COVID-19 pandemic, how has it been for you? How has it affected you as a serial entrepreneur?

Last year at the outset of the Covid I said two things: "Rona has got nothing on me! And that the Covid will only happen for me and not to me." Those were magical (smiles). As an entrepreneur surviving during the pandemic is hard. But with the proper entrepreneurial mindset, one would see that there are opportunities that come with it and one can thrive regardless of the pandemic.

A case study is my craft, Zawak Beads. Even though I've literally been beading all my life, I launched the brand as an online business last year at the outset of the Covid. To God be the glory, it has been a steady stream of income, I made clients from all over Nigeria and it extended with quite a number of premium international clientele. I also registered my business with Corporate Affairs Commission and SMEDAN that same year. 

So I wasn't limited at all. At least I didn't see myself as one. Just that my modus operandi had to change to running the business virtually, in the convince of my home. I learnt some skills like graphic design and paperwork (paper flowers and box-making) and leveraged them. A subtle way of improvising on my brand, under the bead brand. I don't see myself as limited because of the pandemic. It has more to do with having a positive attitude, being proactive, creative, and innovative. I'm still on the outlook for business opportunities, partnership, and collaboration every single day, pandemic or not.


You spearheaded the production of UNIOSUN Mirror Magazine as the first female Editor-in-Chief, what were some of the challenges you encountered, and how did you overcome them?
It wasn't a flawless experience but I tried my best. The output wasn't all perfect, but it was original and novel. There were hitches, notably, among the production team, getting all hands on deck to work, assigning and switching of editorial roles, getting on loggerheads with some people and then conflict resolution, getting funds, getting sponsors and adverts, getting quality write-ups (we had lots of watery plagiarized articles submitted), the compilation, editing, and proofreading, balancing the demanding role with my academics et cetera. 

In short, the pre-production, production, and post-production phases were super challenging for me but with the support of God then our amiable editorial advisor, and some of my mentors in journalism, I was able to navigate through. Determination, ability to meet the deadline, effective time management, tenacity, and a positive attitude are some core values that helped as well.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self?
Relax... It's gonna be okay girl.


What is your take on education especially for girls? What is that one skill every girl/woman in today's world should strive to have?
Unlike we had in the olden days when girls education is stereotyped to end in her husband's kitchen, we are changing the narrative. We live in the 21st century where every woman can become anything she puts her mind to. An age where women are unlimited. Although we're not exactly where we want to be yet, especially girls' education in the rural areas, we're still far from where we are coming from. 

Women are breaking barriers. Education is a huge leveler up for every girl child. It is their birthright. I think every woman should be creative. Conceiving new ideas and bringing them into reality is a skill that every woman should strive to have.

How would you describe your fashion style?
Simple yet classic. I love to be fashionable. I love fine things. I'm in awe of colours too and I do combine them gracefully.


As the creative director of Zawak beads, how has it been? What inspired you to go into this and what fuels your creativity to come up with masterpieces?

My business journey has been really interesting... A bit of a rollercoaster fun ride. I've literally been beading all my life. It all started when I was a little girl. I had flair for beading and craft generally. I did paperwork– used cardboard to create flowers, birthday cards, and frames. I used broken strung of the rosary to craft necklaces and bracelets; then to buying plastic beads for bags, purses, keyrings and rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Then when I was 11 I saw a billboard at the front of our school about one intellectual concept training on handiwork. My dad enrolled me in the two weeks training where I learnt Beads, Wire Work, and Hat Making. I was the youngest in the class. 

Once so equipped I started it as a business. I made designs for my friends and started selling raw beads in retail and wholesale. I was really making money more than an average pre-teen. I started having adult clients too. Corporate women contracting me for beaded bags and necklaces.

It was so amazing! Initially, I arrived at the brand name, Zakwak Beads (acronyms of my surname, first, and middle name) before I gave it a little twist years later. I had to tone it down when I was in my senior secondary school, writing exams and all. Then when I entered uni I didn't do it at all in my freshman year. Until year two, but I wasn't intentional. I rebranded it to Zawak Beads. I only started to be intentional about it at the outset of Covid 19 last year during the compulsory lockdown. I was in my finals. Since then. I have produced over 500 outputs, expanded my customer base to close tons of people (I lost count) both home and abroad, launched the business as an online, global business with a global outlook, registered the business as a legal entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission and SMEDAN, Trained and certified ten females in the art of bead making, physically and virtually as a way of giving back to the society and promoting women empowerment, been making impacts and promoting African artifacts. I have expanded the scope of the brand to include complementary services– selling jewelries, graphics design (majorly making of gift cards), crafting gift boxes and planning surprise packages.  

What drives me is basically my passion for the craft. I love what I do. It is a talent, turned skill, turn business enterprise. It is something that I really enjoy doing and I sort of feel I have nothing to lose.


Do you have some projects you are working on currently and can you share them with us?
None for now. My service to my Fatherland has been typically demanding. For instance, it was my goal to organize a programme to commemorate International Literacy Day 2021 like I did last year but camp stress cum relocation and PPA reporting have been very hectic.


Who are some of the women that you look up to and why?
In no particular order; Dr. Okonjo Iweala Folorunso Alakija Ibukun Awosika Akashat Zibiri N'ymat Doctor Samiat Oyekan-Ahmed Fela Tara Durotoye Debola-Deji Kurumi I love how these successful women are making strides at the local and global font. They really inspire me a lot. What intrigues me the most is how they aren't what they are at the expense of their home. They are wives, mothers and icons to look up to. They are God-centric too. They are rare breeds I must say wonderfully made by God.

 My love for Akashat Nyma surpasses though. More because of her ideal. I admire that she put herself out there to inspire other Muslim women like me and to represent. She's my icon in the media. Majorly because, as I mentioned earlier, there are a very low number of Muslim women up there, much less of the media. I'll like to change the narrative as well as she is doing.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing purpose?
Do not stop. Challenges will come, some will knock you down on your feet but dust yourself off, get back up and keep moving forward. Savour every part of your journey, it's all an experience. Be intentional about your life. Do not lose your focus. 

Do not get swayed. Continue to live in purpose. A lot of people will get uncomfortable but shine anyway. Continue to soar! Last but not the least, God's got you. Hold on to Him. I see you, lovely. And I am right here rooting for you!

What is your life's philosophy?

There are lots of them. On top of the list are: to live a life of impact, to make every day a masterpiece, to touch lives, and make beautiful memories while you're still here.



Comments

Semiyat said…
I love you girly ❤️ You are supermazing