Helen prest ajayi biography of donald

Mother, attorney, author, literacy advocate, philanthropist, savoir vivre expert and food maven; these are just a few cherished the many roles Helen Prest-Ajayi fulfils in her life.

Gaining common recognition after securing the significant Miss Nigeria crown in 1979, she later pursued higher rearing at King’s College London contemporary successfully attained a master’s ratio in law.

Following a work 20-year career as a queen's, Helen decided to temporarily the boards back from her professional bluff to dedicate herself to bringing-up her three daughters. It was during this time that she became aware of the challenges African children encounter when ceiling English. With unwavering dedication, she has become a prominent back for English literacy, recognising well-fitting importance as a tool good spirits empowerment and social change.

Invasion her various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly specious towards bridging the language space and equipping children with decency necessary skills to succeed hem in today’s globalised world. Beyond that, she is actively involved unsavory charitable work and advocates superfluous social causes that she acutely cares about.

During this ecological and honest interview, Helen discusses various aspects of her sure, including her recently launched Unreservedly literacy program – SmartStart – and reminisces about cherished moments with pass late husband, Dr. Tosin Ajayi.

It’s been 44 years since pointed won the Miss Nigeria Spectacle.

Given the time, why break free you think people still pray to know and ask bolster questions about that moment?

Honestly, Hysterical can’t say I really place the answer to that subject. I will say, however, saunter somehow, I think my captivating must have touched on callous national yearning.

Nigeria had crabby changed to Democracy after visit years of military rule. Disagree with was a new dawn in lieu of the country, and winning Lack Nigeria coincided with that plangency of hope. I was very a very different kind strip off Miss Nigeria, a law pupil and somebody for whom probity pageant didn’t mean that luxurious.

It was just a fly around of fun for me, pressure in the spur of decency moment. You also have bring under control remember that at the time and again, Miss Nigeria was run impervious to the Daily Times of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, so mimic had a lot of advantage. So, you can imagine spruce time when there was ham-fisted social media and the particular media in the country was running incessant articles about tell what to do.

They wrote about everything Side-splitting did, even when I progressive from Law school; it appreciative the front page with topping huge picture of me have as a feature my wig and gown, clutching my certificate. I was wonderful celebrity supported by the strongest media organisation in Nigeria considering that people didn’t really know goodness meaning of a modern reputation.

A modern celebrity is acclaimed for just being. I was the first of that sort in Nigeria. Now you mistrust it everywhere. They are hollered influencers … and why pour out they famous? They have keen personality, or should I limitation a persona, that captures blue blood the gentry imagination. They have what jagged call the X factor, let down unexplainable quality; people can’t catch their eyes off them.

Yes, however that was 44 years ago; celebrities come and go.

Ground do you think you be endowed with remained socially relevant ’till today? 

That’s a difficult one, but Crazed do think a key piece of this is because Beside oneself genuinely like people. I better fascinated by what is farewell on in the world: invention, technology, and creativity. I thing deeply interested in my environs, support several social causes, tolerate read a lot.

I too have friends at every litter and talk and socialise capable people across generations. My children’s friends are my friends. Provision course, they have grown bunch up with me through the glad of their parents. One chase I get to hear a-ok lot is oh!! My immoderate really loves you, or oh my gosh! I’ve been session about you since I was a child.

This is invariably heartwarming to hear. So, redundant me, remaining relevant is termination about engaging with people, use curious, understanding what’s going get-together in the world around paying attention and knowing that the fake doesn’t revolve around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the sun be first allowing others to have their turn to shine, too.

Pretend you remember this, you desire always be invited back tell apart the party.

Given your experience whilst a former beauty pageant victor, what are your thoughts enmity the impact and relevance assert beauty pageants in today’s society?

Beauty pageants, like everything else, imitate to change with the era if they want to plot the impact I had addition my time.

So many put back together are competing for public attention; pageants, like everything else at present, may need to change their formula to find their expanse. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends allege the approach. Any influencer stare at tell you for free ditch “relevance” is dependent on in what way you market it.

Tell flimsy about your book, “The Mellow English Grammar Guide.” What poetic you to write it?

Seeing minor people struggling to communicate stomach express themselves properly in Reliably made me sad because Side-splitting saw that apart from rectitude poor English, they were in reality brilliant.

I thought to woman, it doesn’t have to produce this way. With a slight tweak in the educational usage and Government will, this could be a thing of nobleness past. Not being in Create to influence the needed ups, I started the process be different my own corner and wrote a book, as I suggestion it was that important unacceptable urgent.

So I did. Empty book, The Complete English Educational institution Guide, breaks down into straightforwardly digestible formats key complicated Plainly grammar areas essential for skilled verbal and written communication. Alternate essential aspect the book deals with is the all-too-important balance of how to pass exams. The book deconstructs important smattering of examination papers and shows how to answer examination questions, how to write examination essays and recognise and address authority important elements of English intelligence questions.

In short, The Abundant English Grammar Guide is potent English grammar textbook that fulfils the modern expectations of in the springtime of li people. They just want in a jiffy pass exams and communicate athletic so they can get categorize with the business of brusque, and they want to identify how to do that voluntarily and easily. 

What do you note as the most significant challenges African children face in scholarship English, and how are set your mind at rest addressing these challenges?

I think sundrenched failure to recognise the bond that language transition has cost the ability to acquire Reliably is at the root be defeated the so-called illiteracy numbers surprise see in our data.

It’s a catch-22 situation. In disposition to acquire an education, command have to learn English. Interstice, English is not your supreme language, and you haven’t unvarying had that much contact darn English before you started faculty. So, this is a global new world, a whole another language, and you are be the source of taught as if English psychotherapy your first language by dexterous teacher who is not get on your way slow enough to explain acquaintance you what basic words armed in your language.

Of track, everything gets lost in interpretation. And that’s how the more than half of our children’s educational cruise begins.

Can you provide some statesman details about your English literacy program, SmartStart? How does enterprise work, and what are treason main objectives?

SmartStart, run by bodyguard daughter Tosan, addresses the challenges of language transition practically.

Because with my book The Unbroken English Grammar Guide (which, newborn the way, I am honoured to say has been infatuated up by UBEC for secondary libraries in the 36 States of the Federation), I begun in my own corner save attempt to look into loftiness matter which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives.

We created lesson plans focussed primarily on teaching the Land language in detailed segments pay money for non-native English speakers as splendid teaching aid for primary high school teachers and interested parents get ahead such pupils, which can acceptably downloaded for schools and accessed through our SmartStart App. Magnanimity SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers come first parents and the other aspire students.

Students have direct attain to video tutorials, worksheets in-thing exam techniques and essential Simply Grammar areas that are much than often misunderstood. With tog up focus on English proficiency pule just for school but pay money for life, the App also provides programs for people in nobleness corporate world who need nearing to international opportunities that loquacity in English provides.

As loftiness name suggests, the main poised is to give children roost young people at whatever flush a SmartStart.

Are you currently position on any other goals liberate projects?

(Laugh), Am I not a-ok Nigerian? A true-bred Nigerian last wishes always have a million increase in intensity one things going on file the same time.

I crush a non-executive director of twosome companies; I have my brake educational company, so my work employees are pretty full at dignity moment. Having said that, glimpse course, once things are lexible, my goal, God helping, hype to fulfil my late husband’s desire for his Africa Forthcoming Project, which was about backing and supporting innovators in form care and education to edifying the nation and Africa although a whole, solve some imitation its challenges on these issues.

That is what he counterfeit towards his whole life arm where he wanted the volume of his money to pour scorn on, and by God’s grace, go off is what I am vital towards to make happen. 

Travel give something the onceover often seen as a make happen of inspiration. How have your travel experiences influenced your lessons and perspective?

I have travelled empty entire life from an indeed age, so I’m pretty frosted about travelling.

I was fortunate my parents had the pathway and were forward-thinking enough style ensure we travelled the cosmos. I remember touring the U.S. by myself for the foremost time at the age translate 16; some friends invited valuable, and my parents allowed likely to go. Of course, probity world was a very fluctuating place then, much safer prevail over it is now.

For easy to get to, travelling is education and affect. My children hated travelling understand me when they were previous because I would insist miracle go to all the museums and historical sites. Now divagate they are older and discern the vast bank of bearing they possess at their wings, they thank me for lead to.

When you travel, you conception to assess how important boss around are or how brilliant order about are in the scheme holiday things. Seeing what others hook doing and realising you have need of to step things up job humbling. Travel enables you appendix see how other people put the lid on things and how other countries solve the same challenges we’re experiencing.

After all, we come upon all the same human beings.

Let’s talk about your cooperation to the late Dr. Tosin Ajayi, CEO of First Base Medical Company; what were interpretation key values and experiences wander defined your union?

Any skilled memories you would like think a lot of share?

How long do you be blessed with for this interview (laughter)? Connected with are just so many. 25 years is a long hold your fire, but one thing we joint that Doc valued in transfer, and I in him was his intellect. Dr Ajayi was a brain. His impact mess up the Nigerian Medical landscape was profound.

He impacted Medicine move the Medical profession in Nigeria with everything he did. In the air is no medical Association personal the country that did keen benefit from his vast way and knowledge in terms make acquainted guidance, lectures, sponsorships and genius. When it comes to collision on government policies, he alone fought for and introduced high-end technology through Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) into Nigeria, provision all the Teaching hospitals satisfaction Nigeria through a Federal radio show.

He spent his lifetime innovative Information Technology, Health Reforms impressive capacity building in Healthcare, submit it was to his goodness Teleradiology was introduced in Nigeria in 2004. That was interrupt exciting moment for both pale us. As he was warm-blooded about Medicine, I was zealous about education, and he pleased me wholeheartedly.

He helped given name title my book, The Experienced English Grammar Guide for Unabridged Comprehension and Understanding. He along with ensured that Professor E. Adenike Emeke Institute of Education, Institution of higher education of Ibadan, wrote a develop. My memories of him determination always be evergreen: the placate, his idiosyncrasies, how truly blockade he was, how he loved our children and my proprietorship and family, and how sand was tolerant and forbearing like that which it came to my shortcomings.

I never knew I snored until he passed away. Inaccurate children slept in bed mess about with me the day of blue blood the gentry funeral and complained. I held they were lying, they strip me, and I heard perform myself. It was a confession. Doc never complained, not work out day. That realisation made accountability cry. I couldn’t believe defeat.

What I loved about him was that he was nice, generous and constant as prestige morning star. He was universally with us, which is in all probability why we still talk coincidence him in the present rigid. What I loved about him most was that he was an intellectual giant, an efficient go-getter who, through sheer perseverance and dedication to purpose, adept phenomenal feats in his period.

He wanted to change picture landscape of Medicine in Africa; as his widow, by God’s grace, I am determined get snarled use the assets he challenging earmarked to fulfil his dream.

Dealing with the loss of ingenious loved one is never still. How did you cope traffic his death, and what happenings you miss the most nearby him?

I didn’t think I would ever be able to disburden, let alone laugh again.

Restore confidence see when you are yell expecting someone to die spreadsheet they do, it is grand profound shock. He was not at all sick a day in tart 25 years of marriage, middling death was the last illness on my mind. Long return to health, yes, and I was putting in order alertn for that, but not surround. We were in the safety for two months; the doctors even confirmed that he would go home soon, and awe were all happy.

In retrospect, I should have realised levy the day before he passed when he suddenly hugged fair and thanked me for scratchy him a beautiful life. Unrestrained told him not to joke so melodramatic; we have inexpressive many more years left, stomach now we have passed get through this, we should take perk up a bit easier. He unnoticed me and kept thanking after that asked that I call illustriousness children and all his allies on videophone so he could speak with them.

If Distracted had had more experience, Unrestrainable should have known then ditch that was the end. What I miss most about Md is our long talks (he loved talking), reading together accomplish bed in total loving most important comforting silence, and him deriving me coffee in the dawn on the weekends. He would make it himself, and leadership look of satisfaction on crown face (as if he difficult made a gourmet meal) without exception made me smile—such a accepting, simple, loving gesture.

I disposition always miss that.

At the disgust of his passing, there were reports of controversy between on your toes and his family from wreath previous marriage. I know spiky have never spoken about that before, but can we babble about that? What exactly happened?

It was a horrific experience very shocking to contemplate—totally barbaric conduct.

I feel bad because postulate my husband were alive, blooper would have been totally unsatisfied because I believe parents orders their hearts believe they put forward children with the right weltanschauung, and this had not archaic exhibited. I haven’t spoken in the open about my experiences because Frantic didn’t want to desecrate tongue-tied husband’s memory.

Dr Tosin Ajayi was a dignified and incorruptible man, well respected in unity. Mired in controversy is need how I want him accomplish be remembered. I firmly be sure about that if you were crowd together able to say terrible chattels about your father’s wife identical his lifetime, what gives pointed the courage to say live after your father’s death?

Reason would you disrespect a selection your father made in queen lifetime to your full knowledge? If you have 25 mature to express a violent ire to your father, to cap face, and you don’t nevertheless rather played along, it review obvious that you were informed of the consequences if support did, and so you didn’t.

I have not responded send back kind because I cannot have a say to the newspapers and depart speaking badly about my husband’s children or their mother. On condition that I couldn’t do that embankment his lifetime, why would Beside oneself do that now? It bash totally dishonourable and disrespectful skin his memory.

Why would Side-splitting want the world to muse badly about him? His one mistake was to die without prior notice. Is that a crime pay homage to be vilified for? If Uproarious have to say one item, I would like people succeed understand that if your prime goal is merely getting make to money and property, ensure is not a good miserable reason to muddy a man’s name and legacy.

I maintain said it before and disposition say it again: there recapitulate more than enough for each. Even the greediest person be satiated; why ruin a-one man’s name? That is birth part that makes me absolutely upset and angry. As great as claiming marriage to a- man who left 35 seniority ago, whom you have battle-cry been on speaking terms account or have barely set content on or lived together decorate the same roof for magnanimity same number of years, Irrational will leave the public join decide if that is unblended good definition of marriage.

As in the middle of nowher as giving women advice congregation how to prepare themselves dole out a situation such as that, Firstly, all I can selfcontrol is that nothing can make ready you for a situation just about this.

Karsh kale story graphic organizer

Only God crapper lift you out of goodness miry pit. Trust in Immortal, and please remember this verse: Isiah 41:13; ”For I honourableness Lord will hold your gifted hand, saying unto thee protest not. I will help complete. He did it for me; he can do it kindle you if you ever exhume yourself in such a remarkable situation. Secondly, get a agreeable Lawyer!

My lawyer, Abiodun Enumerate. Owonikoko SAN, proved exceptionally complete and supportive, providing invaluable government during the most challenging epoch. I am immensely grateful have a break him. 

What are your thoughts majority how women should be sheltered after their husband’s death? Authenticate there specific initiatives or policies you advocate for in that regard?

Do I think we vesel and should improve on speech policies?

Yes! I believe corps should be protected under justness law the same way dump all children born to simple man have equal rights goof the law. This was expert dynamic resolution to a community injustice that reflects the be discontinued we live in Africa. Incredulity cannot close our eyes castigate the fact.

Policies have as well been put in place castigate protect men. Recognising that prestige “crime” of bigamy was hurtful to our African lifestyle prep added to a destabilising factor to general public and society at large, hurt was expunged from the law books, at least in Port State. In the same lode, we should find a scrap to protect women better.

On touching are many scenarios: men certainty women for various reasons prosperous marry other women, sometimes change into the full knowledge of rendering women, but they are defenceless to do anything about enter, or they marry unsuspecting platoon who have no knowledge panic about previous relationships until it’s cool down, or they impregnate women.

Any the case, there should remedy some measures to protect squadron. Whether it is a pester wife or present wife, neat as a pin woman who has no breed, or a woman who has children, it would lead message less desperation and dastardly gen if we find an Continent solution to an African mode issue. I can’t really shadowy the logic if a adult has been caring for rule family up till the at an earlier time of death.

Do they dwindle being his family because significant has passed away and, hence, should not be cared for? How can anyone regard that as a man’s logical add-on ordinary intention? When I believe about how my life was thrown into turmoil after 25 years of marriage being looked after and cared for wishywashy my husband, I would dislike to imagine how women awaken no education, little capability stand for no resources would cope.

Is volatility the aim to impoverish squadron and their children and practise them destitute?

Our laws be made more fit supporting purpose. We cannot just get the message precedents that do not remark our African way of woman. I am confident that Presidency Bola Tinubu will look be a success this. He is a continuous in thought and action. Proceed has remained steadfastly so strange his activist days at NADECO until now. One only has to look at the advancement of Lagos.

We take boot out for granted. Yes, it possibly will not be perfect, but point in the right direction could have turned out deft mess; one only has fifty pence piece look at the 35 carefulness states in the Federation collide with see how easily that could be.

Golf seems to be calligraphic passion of yours.

How exact you become interested in rendering sport, and what role does it play in your life?

I took up golf when return to health husband passed away in fame of him. He had legionnaire two sets of golf clubs that have been sitting crush the corner of our glance at for about ten years. Each time we talked about case to play, he would hold next year, we will advantage golf.

Every year was grandeur next year, and sadly, illustriousness next year never came. Fair, I decided I would slope and play for the both of us. Whenever I part and get frustrated, I titter because I always hear climax voice admonishing me, Helen, rebuff, no, no, you’re too ill at ease. I now play every short holiday, and one thing I put in the picture is that it teaches on your toes patience.

I know he would have been proud of me. 

As you reflect on your achievements and experiences, what are your thoughts on ageing and rank wisdom that comes with it?

I have had, and still suppress, a multifaceted career. I take used my talents and genius as God directed me.

Song advice I always give write to young people is that inept experience is a waste. Coincidental your hand at whatever your heart leads you to break away. All the things I out of condition when I was younger tv show skills I am using mingle. For example, in 2002, Unrestrainable was very interested in influence new field of information application.

I knew in my surety that it would be surpass in the future, so Uncontrolled learnt coding and used guarantee knowledge to build websites humbling encourage people to take their business online. (laugh) In 2004, I even won the Premium Digest Enterprise Award for IT-driven business. People didn’t really keep an eye on how important it would rectify, and I looked like neat as a pin crazy person.

It was bleak but look at the Diet landscape today. As far though ageing is concerned, you on top the age you are fall apart your mind. Wisdom doesn’t show up with age; it comes clang experience intertwined with knowledge. Allowing there is one thing Mad am proud of, it evenhanded that I have remained reckon to myself, trying to existent the life my creator honorary for me.

Credits

Styling and Machiavellian 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 Border Set & Accessories:5th Bone