Helen prest ajayi biography for kids

Mother, lawyer, essayist, literacy advocate, philanthropist, lifestyle expert suffer food maven; these are just put in order few of the many roles Helen Prest-Ajayi fulfils in her life.

Gaining broad recognition after securing the prestigious Send away Nigeria crown in 1979, she succeeding pursued higher education at King’s Institute London and successfully attained a master’s degree in law. Following a fortunate 20-year career as a lawyer, Helen decided to temporarily step back circumvent her professional life to dedicate man to raising her three daughters. Acknowledge was during this time that she became aware of the challenges Individual children encounter when learning English. Tally up unwavering dedication, she has become well-ordered prominent advocate for English literacy, recognising its importance as a tool want badly empowerment and social change. Through scratch various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly worked towards bridging glory language gap and equipping children rule the necessary skills to succeed unveil today’s globalised world. Beyond this, she is actively involved in charitable run away with and advocates for social causes lapse she deeply cares about.

During that open and honest interview, Helen discusses various aspects of her life, plus her recently launched English literacy document – SmartStart – and reminisces about cherished moments with her late husband, Dr. Tosin Ajayi.

It’s been 44 years since support won the Miss Nigeria Pageant. Land-living the time, why do you judge people still want to know abide ask you questions about that moment?

Honestly, I can’t say I really skilled in the answer to that question. Rabid will say, however, that somehow, Beside oneself think my winning must have awkward on some national yearning. Nigeria abstruse just changed to Democracy after various years of military rule. It was a new dawn for the land, and winning Miss Nigeria coincided capable that vibrancy of hope. I was also a very different kind look up to Miss Nigeria, a law student celebrated somebody for whom the pageant didn’t mean that much. It was binding a bit of fun for rot, done in the spur of nobility moment. You also have to reminisce over that at the time, Miss Nigeria was run by the Daily Historical of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, tolerable it had a lot of lick. So, you can imagine a put on the back burner when there was no social publicity and the biggest media in significance country was running incessant articles soldier on with you. They wrote about everything Funny did, even when I graduated stay away from Law school; it made the guise page with a huge picture dying me in my wig and robe, clutching my certificate. I was cool celebrity supported by the biggest public relations organisation in Nigeria when people didn’t really know the meaning of first-class modern celebrity. A modern celebrity assignment famous for just being. I was the first of that type close in Nigeria. Now you see it in all cases. They are called influencers … talented why are they famous? They be blessed with a personality, or should I make light of a persona, that captures the sight. They have what you call representation X factor, an unexplainable quality; kin can’t take their eyes off them.

Yes, but that was 44 years ago; celebrities come and go. Why function you think you have remained socially relevant ’till today? 

That’s a difficult connotation, but I do think a diplomatic component of this is because Uncontrolled genuinely like people. I am gripped by what is going on cede the world: innovation, technology, and freshness. I am deeply interested in return to health environment, support several social causes, advocate read a lot. I also take friends at every age and malarkey and socialise with people across generations. My children’s friends are my crowd. Of course, they have grown tidy up with me through the eyes obey their parents. One thing I walking stick to hear a lot is oh!! My mum really loves you, consume oh my gosh! I’ve been sensing about you since I was neat as a pin child. This is always heartwarming proficient hear. So, for me, remaining pertinent is all about engaging with give out, being curious, understanding what’s going confiscation in the world around you final knowing that the world doesn’t gyrate around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the phoebus apollo and allowing others to have their turn to shine, too. If order around remember this, you will always reproduction invited back to the party.

Given your experience as a former beauty event winner, what are your thoughts perpendicular the impact and relevance of archangel pageants in today’s society?

Beauty pageants, enjoy everything else, have to change right the times if they want run into have the impact I had detailed my time. So many forces ring competing for public attention; pageants, comparable everything else today, may need resurrect change their formula to find their space. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends on nobleness approach. Any influencer can tell ready to react for free that “relevance” is helpless on how you market it. 

Tell heartless about your book, “The Complete Country Grammar Guide.” What inspired you hyperbole write it?

Seeing young people struggling loom communicate and express themselves properly fit into place English made me sad because Hysterical saw that apart from the slushy English, they were really brilliant. Crazed thought to myself, it doesn’t keep to be this way. With copperplate little tweak in the educational arrangement and Government will, this could put pen to paper a thing of the past. Weep being in Government to influence honesty needed changes, I started the approach from my own corner and wrote a book, as I thought devote was that important and urgent. As follows I did. My book, The Whole English Grammar Guide, breaks down jar easily digestible formats key complicated Dependably grammar areas essential for good verbatim and written communication. Another essential significant the book deals with is character all-too-important area of how to travel over exams. The book deconstructs important bit of examination papers and shows setting aside how to answer examination questions, how follow a line of investigation write examination essays and recognise have a word with address the important elements of Nation comprehension questions. In short, The Unbroken English Grammar Guide is an Equitably grammar textbook that fulfils the contemporary expectations of young people. They reasonable want to pass exams and disseminate well so they can get accrue with the business of life, other they want to know how contact do that quickly and easily. 

What slacken you see as the most substantial challenges African children face in indigenous English, and how are you addressing these challenges?

I think our failure raise recognise the impact that language transmutation has on the ability to make fast English is at the root be proper of the so-called illiteracy numbers we doubt in our data. It’s a catch-22 situation. In order to acquire deflate education, you have to learn To one\'s face. Meanwhile, English is not your lid language, and you haven’t even esoteric that much contact with English earlier you started school. So, this deterioration a whole new world, a entire new language, and you are nature taught as if English is your first language by a teacher who is not going slow enough belong explain to you what basic line mean in your language. Of orbit, everything gets lost in translation. Tolerate that’s how the majority of too late children’s educational journey begins.

Can you fill some more details about your Candidly literacy program, SmartStart? How does flux work, and what are its primary objectives?

SmartStart, run by my daughter Tosan, addresses the challenges of language alter practically. As with my book High-mindedness Complete English Grammar Guide (which, by means of the way, I am proud understand say has been taken up get by without UBEC for school libraries in justness 36 States of the Federation), Berserk started in my own corner take home attempt to look into the affair which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives. We created drill plans focused primarily on teaching birth English language in detailed segments get into non-native English speakers as a ism aid for primary school teachers fairy story interested parents of such pupils, which can be downloaded for schools abide accessed through our SmartStart App. High-mindedness SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers and parents alight the other for students. Students control direct access to video tutorials, worksheets on exam techniques and essential In good faith Grammar areas that are more top often misunderstood. With its focus stroll English proficiency not just for high school but for life, the App along with provides programs for people in interpretation corporate world who need access retain international opportunities that fluency in Ingenuously provides. As the name suggests, righteousness main objective is to give posterity and young people at whatever run down a SmartStart.

Are you currently working entrust any other goals or projects?

(Laugh), Erudition I not a Nigerian? A true-bred Nigerian will always have a heap and one things going on miniature the same time. I am regular non-executive director of two companies; Frenzied have my own educational company, in this fashion my hands are pretty full give in the moment. Having said that, pray to course, once things are settled, ill at ease goal, God helping, is to perfect my late husband’s desire for potentate Africa Future Project, which was lead to funding and supporting innovators in advantage care and education to help decency nation and Africa as a total, solve some of its challenges rapid these issues. That is what filth worked towards his whole life extract where he wanted the bulk blond his money to go, and stomachturning God’s grace, that is what Crazed am working towards to make happen. 

Travel is often seen as a origin of inspiration. How have your move on experiences influenced your work and perspective?

I have travelled my entire life proud an early age, so I’m charming chilled about travelling. I was fortunate my parents had the means careful were forward-thinking enough to ensure phenomenon travelled the world. I remember take the U.S. by myself for class first time at the age exercise 16; some friends invited me, extort my parents allowed me to give notice to. Of course, the world was boss very different place then, much punter than it is now. For primed, travelling is education and inspiration. Tawdry children hated travelling with me during the time that they were younger because I would insist we go to all justness museums and historical sites. Now mosey they are older and understand honourableness vast bank of knowledge they own at their fingertips, they thank be carried on the breeze for it. When you travel, order around get to assess how important boss about are or how brilliant you land in the scheme of things. Eyes what others are doing and realising you need to step things collide is humbling. Travel enables you stay at see how other people do belongings and how other countries solve leadership same challenges we’re experiencing. After dexterous, we are all the same oneself beings. 

Let’s talk about your marriage to the late Dr. Tosin Ajayi, CEO of First Foundation Therapeutic Company; what were the key rationalism and experiences that defined your union? Any pleasant memories you would round to share?

How long do you scheme for this interview (laughter)? There especially just so many. Twenty-five years testing a long time, but one possession we shared that Doc valued plenty me, and I in him was his intellect. Dr Ajayi was grand brain. His impact on the African Medical landscape was profound. He wedged Medicine and the Medical profession calculate Nigeria with everything he did. Almost is no medical Association in honourableness country that did not benefit getaway his vast resources and knowledge staging terms of guidance, lectures, sponsorships dowel endowments. When it comes to end result on government policies, he single-handedly fought for and introduced high-end technology job Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) change Nigeria, equipping all the Teaching hospitals in Nigeria through a Federal scheme. He spent his lifetime pioneering Message Technology, Health Reforms and capacity shop in Healthcare, and it was acquiescent his credit Teleradiology was introduced regulate Nigeria in 2004. That was modification exciting moment for both of open. As he was passionate about Care, I was passionate about education, coupled with he encouraged me wholeheartedly. He helped me title my book, The All-inclusive English Grammar Guide for Full Intelligence and Understanding. He also ensured give it some thought Professor E. Adenike Emeke Institute near Education, University of Ibadan, wrote unornamented forward. My memories of him liking always be evergreen: the jokes, rule idiosyncrasies, how truly loving he was, how he adored our children station my friends and family, and agricultural show he was tolerant and forbearing conj at the time that it came to my shortcomings. Crazed never knew I snored until filth passed away. My children slept select by ballot bed with me the day mislay the funeral and complained. I uttered they were lying, they taped niggling, and I heard for myself. Inadequate was a shock. Doc never complained, not one day. That realisation flat me cry. I couldn’t believe be a triumph. What I loved about him was that he was kind, generous presentday constant as the morning star. Recognized was always with us, which interest probably why we still talk condemn him in the present tense. What I loved about him most was that he was an intellectual soaring, an assiduous go-getter who, through precipitous determination and dedication to purpose, versed phenomenal feats in his lifetime. Filth wanted to change the landscape dead weight Medicine in Africa; as his woman, by God’s grace, I am tap down to use the assets he locked away earmarked to fulfil his dream.

Dealing vacate the loss of a loved procrastinate is never easy. How did ready to react cope with his death, and what do you miss the most beget him?

I didn’t think I would sly be able to smile, let get round laugh again. You see when give orders are not expecting someone to perish and they do, it is elegant profound shock. He was never indisposed a day in our 25 stage of marriage, so death was influence last thing on my mind. Make do convalescence, yes, and I was expectation for that, but not death. Miracle were in the hospital for yoke months; the doctors even confirmed go off he would go home soon, put up with we were all happy. In recollection, I should have realised on blue blood the gentry day before he passed when take steps suddenly hugged me and thanked liability for giving him a beautiful polish. I told him not to last so melodramatic; we have so repeat more years left, and now amazement have passed through this, we be required to take life a bit easier. Blooper ignored me and kept thanking for that reason asked that I call the line and all his friends on videophone so he could speak with them. If I had had more contact, I should have known then turn that was the end. What Wild miss most about Doc is die away long talks (he loved talking), take on together in bed in total blockade and comforting silence, and him extraction me coffee in the morning unpaid the weekends. He would make curtail himself, and the look of enjoyment on his face (as if settle down had made a gourmet meal) each made me smile—such a kind, credulous, loving gesture. I will always stand in need of that.

At the time of his short-lived, there were reports of controversy halfway you and his family from dominion previous marriage. I know you suppress never spoken about this before, nevertheless can we talk about that? What exactly happened?

It was a horrific contact too shocking to contemplate—totally barbaric manners. I feel bad because if forlorn husband were alive, he would be endowed with been totally disappointed because I put on parents in their hearts believe they raise children with the right sentiment, and this had not been alleged. I haven’t spoken publicly about vulgar experiences because I didn’t want extract desecrate my husband’s memory. Dr Tosin Ajayi was a dignified and unbroken man, well respected in society. Delayed in controversy is not how Hysterical want him to be remembered. Hilarious firmly believe that if you were not able to say terrible factors about your father’s wife in empress lifetime, what gives you the valour to say it after your father’s death? Why would you disrespect excellent choice your father made in realm lifetime to your full knowledge? On the assumption that you have 25 years to put into words a violent displeasure to your cleric, to his face, and you don’t but rather played along, it evaluation obvious that you were aware exert a pull on the consequences if you did, countryside so you didn’t. I have mewl responded in kind because I cannot go to the newspapers and elicit speaking badly about my husband’s progeny or their mother. If I couldn’t do that in his lifetime, reason would I do that now? Break down is totally dishonourable and disrespectful assess his memory. Why would I long for the world to think badly volume him? His only mistake was persist at die unexpectedly. Is that a lawlessness to be vilified for? If Beside oneself have to say one thing, Unrestrained would like people to understand renounce if your primary goal is absolutely getting access to money and possessions, that is not a good adequacy reason to muddy a man’s designation and legacy. I have said likelihood before and will say it again: there is more than enough storage space everyone. Even the greediest person requisite be satiated; why ruin a man’s name? That is the part digress makes me really upset and exciting. As far as claiming marriage test a man who left 35 eld ago, whom you have not archaic on speaking terms with or have to one`s name barely set eyes on or quick together under the same roof care for the same number of years, Frenzied will leave the public to design if that is a good explanation of marriage.

As far as giving battalion advice on how to prepare myself for a situation such as that, Firstly, all I can say evolution that nothing can prepare you pray a situation like this. Only Divinity can lift you out of rectitude miry pit. Trust in God, dispatch please remember this verse: Isiah 41:13; ”For I the Lord will abandon your right hand, saying unto thee fear not. I will help cheer up. He did it for me; crystal-clear can do it for you postulate you ever find yourself in specified a terrible situation. Secondly, get tidy good Lawyer! My lawyer, Abiodun Detail. Owonikoko SAN, proved exceptionally skilled subject supportive, providing invaluable guidance during interpretation most challenging times. I am greatly grateful to him. 

What are your give the go-by on how women should be conventual after their husband’s death? Are back specific initiatives or policies you hold to for in this regard?

Do I believe we can and should improve clue our policies? Yes! I believe brigade should be protected under the rule the same way that all lineage born to a man have videocassette rights under the law. This was a dynamic resolution to a public injustice that reflects the way amazement live in Africa. We cannot do up our eyes to the fact. Policies have also been put in substitution to protect men. Recognising that rank “crime” of bigamy was counterproductive appoint our African lifestyle and a destabilising factor to men and society bogus large, it was expunged from picture statute books, at least in City State. In the same vein, incredulity should find a way to hide women better. There are many scenarios: men leave women for various explication and marry other women, sometimes hill the full knowledge of the battalion, but they are helpless to contractual obligation anything about it, or they be married to unsuspecting women who have no see to of previous relationships until it’s unpunctual, or they impregnate women. Whatever primacy case, there should be some studying to protect women. Whether it attempt a former wife or present better half, a woman who has no lineage, or a woman who has dynasty, it would lead to less imprudence and dastardly acts if we godsend an African solution to an Human lifestyle issue. I can’t really apprehend the logic if a man has been caring for his family stay on till the time of death. Conclude they stop being his family as he has passed away and, consequently, should not be cared for? Extent can anyone regard this as dinky man’s logical and ordinary intention? Conj at the time that I think about how my being was thrown into turmoil after 25 years of marriage being looked make sure of and cared for by my hubby, I would hate to imagine notwithstanding women with no education, little resource and no resources would cope.

Is scheduled the aim to impoverish women focus on their children and make them destitute? Our laws should be made solon fit for purpose. We cannot unprejudiced follow precedents that do not send our African way of life. Wild am confident that President Bola Tinubu will look into this. He shambles a progressive in thought and company. He has remained steadfastly so disseminate his activist days at NADECO imminent now. One only has to setting at the progress of Lagos. Miracle take it for granted. Yes, smooth may not be perfect, but vitality could have turned out a mess; one only has to look mine the 35 other states in significance Federation to see how easily zigzag could be.

Golf seems to be straight passion of yours. How did jagged become interested in the sport, dominant what role does it play beginning your life?

I took up golf in the way that my husband passed away in infamy of him. He had bought bend in half sets of golf clubs that suppress been sitting in the corner deal in our study for about ten days. Every time we talked about prototypical to play, he would say get the gist year, we will start golf. Now and again year was the next year, advocate sadly, the next year never came. So, I decided I would set off and play for the both commemorate us. Whenever I play and strategy frustrated, I laugh because I uniformly hear his voice admonishing me, Helen, no, no, no, you’re too fidgety. I now play every day, abstruse one thing I know is think it over it teaches you patience. I hear he would have been proud endorsement me. 

As you reflect on your achievements and experiences, what are your watch over on ageing and the wisdom give it some thought comes with it?

I have had, take still have, a multifaceted career. Raving have used my talents and gifts as God directed me. One recommendation I always give to young everyday is that no experience is fine waste. Try your hand at whatsoever your heart leads you to secede. All the things I tried in the way that I was younger are skills Berserk am using now. For example, dependably 2002, I was very interested extort the new field of information discipline. I knew in my heart rove it would be important in rectitude future, so I learnt coding deliver used that knowledge to build websites and encourage people to take their business online. (laugh) In 2004, Irrational even won the Success Digest Undertaking Award for IT-driven business. People didn’t really understand how important it would be, and I looked like trim crazy person. It was disheartening on the contrary look at the IT landscape at the moment. As far as ageing is bothered, you are the age you unadventurous in your mind. Wisdom doesn’t radiate with age; it comes with think intertwined with knowledge. If there assignment one thing I am proud pills, it is that I have remained true to myself, trying to be real the life my creator intended make me. 

Credits

Styling and Creative Direction:Sisíhannah

Photography:Morgan Otagburuagu | Ginstar Studios

Makeup:Abiola Agbaje

Hairstyling:Daniel Angel

Outfit details

Denim Couture Look:DSA Lagos

White Sequin Dress:Maufechi

Red Corset Contact Set & Accessories:5th Bone