Damola Kadri
If you were at the night of the contest, you will see that AREWA contest was a parade of Beauty, Talent and Elegance. We all worked hard but it often said that the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but who wins is an act of God. No man can be anything without God’s permission. Alhamdulillah, I owe my emergence to Almighty Allah, who endowed me and gave me the courage to even come out to participate. Many that are more beautiful and more intelligent didn’t come out. Nothing happens outside of Gods plan.
It’s a new moon in Offa, Offa local government are of Kwara state. At the recent Ijakadi festival, a new Miss AREWA emerged and was crowned to reign for the 2025 season. Our reporter, Damola Kadri spoke with the new AREWA of Offa and she spoke about herself and her personality as a beauty pageant. Meet the AREWA of Offa, Excerpts..
Can we meet you?
I am Arewa Mustapha Amidat Oluwaferanmi, from Akingbasa Alowolodu family house. I am a graduate of B.Sc Economics, from Ekiti State University. I am by Gods grace,the first born of my parent in a family of five.
Are you the most beautiful girl in Offa?
Of course not. Without fear of contradiction, I can tell you that Offa is the home of beautiful and intelligent people. I am not the most beautiful girl in Offa, my emergence is God’s grace, most importantly because I [prayed about it and God listened to my prayers. Secondly, I have been in similar contests and won, so my previous experience is an added advantage. If you were at the night of the contest, you will see that AREWA contest was a parade of Beauty, Talent and Elegance. We all worked hard but it often said that the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but who wins is an act of God. No man can be anything without God’s permission. Alhamdulillah, I owe my emergence to Almighty Allah, who endowed me and gave me the courage to even come out to participate. Many that are more beautiful and more intelligent didn’t come out. Nothing happens outside of Gods plan.
Most parents don’t welcome the idea of their daughter going into pageantry competitions, how did you convince your parents?
My parents are well civilized; we are very civilized in my family. My Mom is an Ijesha woman, you know Ijesha are known for industry and hardwork, so I am a perfect combination of these two great kingdoms. Arewa beauty pageant is not the first pageantry I ever participated in. I have participated in others and by Gods grace, I emerged the winner. My parents gave me their back, because they trust me and showed their love by supporting me.
Which previous contests have you been into?
In 2022, while still a student, I contested for Miss EKSU and emerged winner. Also in 2023 I contested for face of EKSU and also emerged winner. I suspect that being a first child, Gods hand is on me and I am not taking that grace for granted, winning is part of my heritage.
Do you plan to go for higher pageantry competitions?
By Gods grace, I will participate in future international beauty competitions. I see pageantry as my own way of promoting the African heritage, telling the world who we are and how we can stand shoulder to shoulder with other races and tribes. Who will believe that an African, Agbani Darego can rule the world, but she did. Many Nigerians and Africans are doing well for themselves wherever they are, so in my own little way, I want to race the banner of Offa, Kwara state and Nigeria higher as a cultural Ambassador.\
So what will you do with being AREWA of Offa 2025?
My plans, by Gods grace and the support of the good people of Offa is that I want to impact new things in the life of my people and in society at large. I know it cannot be done alone, I trust the people of Offa and well meaning people of Kwara, my parents and with the help of God, I will surely make desired impact.
AREWA beauty contest is part of Ijakadi day festival, what is Ijakadi festival all about?
Ijakadi is the signature of Offa, the identity of Offa and the core value upon which Offa is built. It is often said, Ijakadi loro Offa, meaning Ijakadi is synonymous with Offa. First, Ijakadi unites sons and daughters of Offa. Secondly, Offa abhors cheating and will never cheat on anybody. Three, Offa people believes that what you struggle to achieve will bear your integrity and add value to you. Ijakadi is a platform for cultural renaissance and unification of ideas. The beauty of Ijakadi festival is seen through the caliber of people who organize the programme. The essence is for the world to know that there is an African town where unity of purpose is their strength. Offa indigene is found everywhere you talk of hard work, diligence and dedication to duties. We are born leaders in our own right. I am proud to be from Offa and more proud that I am an Ambassador of this noble Kingdom.
Your beautiful look, is it hereditary from Mom or Dad?
Like I said, I am a product of grace, I resemble both of my parents; My Dad is very handsome and my Mom is also an Ijesha Queen, she is from Ilesha in Osun state, so whichever way, I look like them because both of my parents look so good. My siblings, male and female are just like I am.
Being a female gender, have you suffered any form of abuse or attack before?
Yes o, I have been a victim of rejection several times but I fight my way through. Everywhere I have been, I let them know that an Offa person will not accept a redefinition of my value. Its always a battle and God see me through in fighting it out. You cannot be me and I don’t want to be you, so we need to appreciate each others values and that is why I don’t discriminate against anybody. Everything that God created is good. I am wonderfully made. I am special and nothing can change that fact. That I am a female doesn’t make me less human, the world should begin to understand that fact and treat the girl child as an inevitable partner in making the world a better place for us all. In my language, we say “Bi o nigba baa se pee, ni won se ma nbaa pe”, if you own a calabash, the value you place on that calabash is what others would place on it. If you call it a wash hand material, that how they would use it and if you call it adorable, people will adore it. For me, I am a Queen that the world is expecting and I will not look back on anything till I manifest what God wants me to be. .
Attaining this height as a graduate of Economics and as Miss AREWA, you must have passed through some life hurdles; how did you passed through without being hurt or discouraged?
Like late Dr Tai Solarin’s prayer, “May your road be rough”. The road has been very rough but challenging and rewarding. I believe that everybody has encountered one or two life challenges but we all overcome it one way or the other by the help of God. I have encountered a lot of challenges but I have my maker who created me for a purpose and I am fulfilling that purpose. Almighty Allah also bless me with wonderful, supportive and ever reliable parents. When it rained, they never allowed the rain to beat me and when it’s sunny, I was not beaten by the sun. I can never appreciate them enough.
Who are your friends and how do you relate among them?
I don’t have friends, I only relate with people bases of values presented. Life has taught me that a man’s enemies are the very people he or she chooses to get close with. They know your secrets and will use it to haunt you. So it’s better to stay alone with my creator, supplicating and looking up to him. After Allah, my creator, I relate with my siblings and of course, my best companions are my parents. They are very supportive, understanding and God made them a pillar for my support. I strongly believe in Allah and I am certain, he cannot disappoint me, in him I put all my trust, Hasibunallahu Wani Mal Wakeel, Allah is sufficient for me in all.
Thanks for talking to us, we wish you all the best on the throne as Miss Arewa of Offa.
Thank you.