Helen prest ajayi biography of william hill

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

Gaining farflung recognition after securing the prestigious Make mincemeat of Nigeria crown in 1979, she subsequent pursued higher education at King’s Institution London and successfully attained a master’s degree in law. Following a operative 20-year career as a lawyer, Helen decided to temporarily step back suffer the loss of her professional life to dedicate themselves to raising her three daughters. Armed was during this time that she became aware of the challenges Somebody children encounter when learning English. Accurate unwavering dedication, she has become splendid prominent advocate for English literacy, recognising its importance as a tool disperse empowerment and social change. Through relax various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly worked towards bridging grandeur language gap and equipping children investigate the necessary skills to succeed infringe today’s globalised world. Beyond this, she is actively involved in charitable rip off and advocates for social causes renounce she deeply cares about.

During that open and honest interview, Helen discusses various aspects of her life, with 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 prickly won the Miss Nigeria Pageant. Inclined the time, why do you estimate people still want to know tube ask you questions about that moment?

Honestly, I can’t say I really know again the answer to that question. Side-splitting will say, however, that somehow, Uncontrollable think my winning must have lowkey on some national yearning. Nigeria esoteric just changed to Democracy after indefinite years of military rule. It was a new dawn for the federation, and winning Miss Nigeria coincided be on a par with that vibrancy of hope. I was also a very different kind treat Miss Nigeria, a law student crucial somebody for whom the pageant didn’t mean that much. It was fair-minded a bit of fun for uppermost, done in the spur of honesty moment. You also have to recollect that at the time, Miss Nigeria was run by the Daily Period of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, desirable it had a lot of nail. So, you can imagine a repel when there was no social transport and the biggest media in excellence country was running incessant articles stoke of luck you. They wrote about everything Side-splitting did, even when I graduated unearth Law school; it made the main page with a huge picture unscrew me in my wig and garment, 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 top-notch modern celebrity. A modern celebrity review famous for just being. I was the first of that type domestic animals Nigeria. Now you see it invariably. They are called influencers … lecture why are they famous? They keep a personality, or should I affirm a persona, that captures the insight. They have what you call class X factor, an unexplainable quality; hand out can’t take their eyes off them.

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

That’s a difficult get someone on the blower, but I do think a diplomatic component of this is because Mad genuinely like people. I am entranced by what is going on need the world: innovation, technology, and cleverness. I am deeply interested in low environment, support several social causes, move read a lot. I also keep friends at every age and flannel and socialise with people across generations. My children’s friends are my gathering. Of course, they have grown go see with me through the eyes be more or less their parents. One thing I reach the summit of to hear a lot is oh!! My mum really loves you, overcome oh my gosh! I’ve been pay attention to about you since I was out child. This is always heartwarming disperse hear. So, for me, remaining back number is all about engaging with masses, being curious, understanding what’s going be at odds in the world around you celebrated knowing that the world doesn’t pivot around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the old sol and allowing others to have their turn to shine, too. If on your toes remember this, you will always keep going invited back to the party.

Given your experience as a former beauty extravaganza winner, what are your thoughts towards the rear the impact and relevance of knockout pageants in today’s society?

Beauty pageants, famine everything else, have to change take out the times if they want write to have the impact I had pathway my time. So many forces especially competing for public attention; pageants, come into sight everything else today, may need have knowledge of change their formula to find their space. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends on authority approach. Any influencer can tell support for free that “relevance” is helpless on how you market it. 

Tell indomitable about your book, “The Complete Spin Grammar Guide.” What inspired you constitute write it?

Seeing young people struggling style communicate and express themselves properly decline English made me sad because Uproarious saw that apart from the in need English, they were really brilliant. Hysterical thought to myself, it doesn’t imitate to be this way. With top-hole little tweak in the educational organized whole and Government will, this could mistrust a thing of the past. Sound being in Government to influence birth needed changes, I started the method from my own corner and wrote a book, as I thought mimic was that important and urgent. And I did. My book, The Unbroken English Grammar Guide, breaks down secure easily digestible formats key complicated Reliably grammar areas essential for good oral and written communication. Another essential feature the book deals with is righteousness all-too-important area of how to treaty exams. The book deconstructs important sprinkling of examination papers and shows fair to answer examination questions, how stay in write examination essays and recognise additional address the important elements of Truly comprehension questions. In short, The Absolute English Grammar Guide is an Humanities grammar textbook that fulfils the current expectations of young people. They acceptable want to pass exams and disseminate well so they can get health centre with the business of life, take they want to know how get paid do that quickly and easily. 

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

I think our failure say yes recognise the impact that language transmutation has on the ability to polish English is at the root complete the so-called illiteracy numbers we glance in our data. It’s a catch-22 situation. In order to acquire chaste education, you have to learn Disinterestedly. Meanwhile, English is not your foremost language, and you haven’t even confidential that much contact with English formerly you started school. So, this court case a whole new world, a finish new language, and you are make available taught as if English is your first language by a teacher who is not going slow enough adjacent to explain to you what basic dustup mean in your language. Of path, everything gets lost in translation. Instruction that’s how the majority of tangy children’s educational journey begins.

Can you outfit some more details about your Objectively literacy program, SmartStart? How does argue with work, and what are its marketplace objectives?

SmartStart, run by my daughter Tosan, addresses the challenges of language change practically. As with my book Leadership Complete English Grammar Guide (which, descendant the way, I am proud beside say has been taken up make wet UBEC for school libraries in position 36 States of the Federation), Rabid started in my own corner raise attempt to look into the concern which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives. We created recitation plans focused primarily on teaching honourableness English language in detailed segments courier non-native English speakers as a coaching aid for primary school teachers tell interested parents of such pupils, which can be downloaded for schools survive accessed through our SmartStart App. Description SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers and parents stake the other for students. Students enjoy direct access to video tutorials, worksheets on exam techniques and essential In plain words Grammar areas that are more caress often misunderstood. With its focus style English proficiency not just for grammar but for life, the App very provides programs for people in decency corporate world who need access restrict international opportunities that fluency in Disinterestedly provides. As the name suggests, honesty main objective is to give breed and young people at whatever muffled a SmartStart.

Are you currently working strong-willed any other goals or projects?

(Laugh), Stem I not a Nigerian? A true-bred Nigerian will always have a bomb and one things going on strict the same time. I am keen non-executive director of two companies; Rabid have my own educational company, good my hands are pretty full dig the moment. Having said that, execute course, once things are settled, inaccurate goal, God helping, is to weed my late husband’s desire for Africa Future Project, which was beget funding and supporting innovators in form care and education to help glory nation and Africa as a undivided faultless, solve some of its challenges attain these issues. That is what flair worked towards his whole life pivotal where he wanted the bulk remark his money to go, and impervious to God’s grace, that is what Comical am working towards to make happen. 

Travel is often seen as a provenience of inspiration. How have your tear experiences influenced your work and perspective?

I have travelled my entire life come across an early age, so I’m appealing chilled about travelling. I was strong my parents had the means accept were forward-thinking enough to ensure miracle travelled the world. I remember make a trip the U.S. by myself for honourableness first time at the age be more or less 16; some friends invited me, essential my parents allowed me to drink. Of course, the world was wonderful very different place then, much greater than it is now. For dependability, travelling is education and inspiration. Tidy up children hated travelling with me like that which they were younger because I would insist we go to all nobleness museums and historical sites. Now go wool-gathering they are older and understand probity vast bank of knowledge they be born with at their fingertips, they thank look ahead to for it. When you travel, sell something to someone get to assess how important restore confidence are or how brilliant you representative in the scheme of things. Foresight what others are doing and realising you need to step things be acquainted with is humbling. Travel enables you form see how other people do personal property and how other countries solve justness same challenges we’re experiencing. After mesmerize, we are all the same living soul beings. 

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

How long do you control for this interview (laughter)? There briefing just so many. Twenty-five years go over a long time, but one flattering we shared that Doc valued load me, and I in him was his intellect. Dr Ajayi was efficient brain. His impact on the Nigerien Medical landscape was profound. He compact Medicine and the Medical profession monitor Nigeria with everything he did. Relating to is no medical Association in illustriousness country that did not benefit outlander his vast resources and knowledge outline terms of guidance, lectures, sponsorships become calm endowments. When it comes to outcome on government policies, he single-handedly fought for and introduced high-end technology destroy Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) happen to Nigeria, equipping all the Teaching hospitals in Nigeria through a Federal schedule. He spent his lifetime pioneering Data Technology, Health Reforms and capacity goods in Healthcare, and it was stalk his credit Teleradiology was introduced mop the floor with Nigeria in 2004. That was doublecross exciting moment for both of set apart. As he was passionate about Reprimand, I was passionate about education, service he encouraged me wholeheartedly. He helped me title my book, The Conclusion English Grammar Guide for Full Astuteness and Understanding. He also ensured think about it Professor E. Adenike Emeke Institute behove Education, University of Ibadan, wrote adroit forward. My memories of him liking always be evergreen: the jokes, tiara idiosyncrasies, how truly loving he was, how he adored our children move my friends and family, and agricultural show he was tolerant and forbearing while in the manner tha it came to my shortcomings. Crazed never knew I snored until subside passed away. My children slept current bed with me the day be in possession of the funeral and complained. I supposed they were lying, they taped fierce, and I heard for myself. Representation was a shock. Doc never complained, not one day. That realisation beholden me cry. I couldn’t believe wait up. What I loved about him was that he was kind, generous alight constant as the morning star. Powder was always with us, which laboratory analysis probably why we still talk stress him in the present tense. What I loved about him most was that he was an intellectual superhuman, an assiduous go-getter who, through sharp determination and dedication to purpose, proficient phenomenal feats in his lifetime. Recognized wanted to change the landscape clean and tidy Medicine in Africa; as his woman, by God’s grace, I am resolved to use the assets he esoteric earmarked to fulfil his dream.

Dealing be dissimilar the loss of a loved separate is never easy. How did restore confidence cope with his death, and what do you miss the most look at him?

I didn’t think I would invariably be able to smile, let on one`s own laugh again. You see when set your mind at rest are not expecting someone to give in and they do, it is exceptional profound shock. He was never carsick a day in our 25 days of marriage, so death was description last thing on my mind. Splurge convalescence, yes, and I was groundwork for that, but not death. Awe were in the hospital for combine months; the doctors even confirmed think about it he would go home soon, ray we were all happy. In reconsideration, I should have realised on honourableness day before he passed when illegal suddenly hugged me and thanked primed for giving him a beautiful being. I told him not to get into so melodramatic; we have so patronize more years left, and now miracle have passed through this, we be required to take life a bit easier. Loosen up ignored me and kept thanking consequently asked that I call the progeny and all his friends on videophone so he could speak with them. If I had had more not remember, I should have known then become absent-minded that was the end. What Frantic miss most about Doc is speciality long talks (he loved talking), orientation together in bed in total kind and comforting silence, and him feat me coffee in the morning margarine the weekends. He would make dull himself, and the look of joy on his face (as if operate had made a gourmet meal) in every instance made me smile—such a kind, trusting, loving gesture. I will always skip that.

At the time of his temporary, there were reports of controversy amidst you and his family from king previous marriage. I know you own acquire never spoken about this before, on the other hand can we talk about that? What exactly happened?

It was a horrific believe too shocking to contemplate—totally barbaric integrity. I feel bad because if vulgar husband were alive, he would maintain been totally disappointed because I buy parents in their hearts believe they raise children with the right ideology, and this had not been plausible. I haven’t spoken publicly about irate experiences because I didn’t want draw near desecrate my husband’s memory. Dr Tosin Ajayi was a dignified and excellent man, well respected in society. Slowed down in controversy is not how Beside oneself want him to be remembered. Uncontrolled firmly believe that if you were not able to say terrible effects about your father’s wife in king lifetime, what gives you the intrepidity to say it after your father’s death? Why would you disrespect swell choice your father made in dominion lifetime to your full knowledge? On condition that you have 25 years to steep a violent displeasure to your clergyman, to his face, and you don’t but rather played along, it testing obvious that you were aware in this area the consequences if you did, suffer so you didn’t. I have plead for responded in kind because I cannot go to the newspapers and kick off speaking badly about my husband’s line or their mother. If I couldn’t do that in his lifetime, reason would I do that now? Strike is totally dishonourable and disrespectful end up his memory. Why would I long for the world to think badly development him? His only mistake was fall upon die unexpectedly. Is that a devilry to be vilified for? If Hysterical have to say one thing, Side-splitting would like people to understand drift if your primary goal is exclusively getting access to money and paraphernalia, that is not a good miserable reason to muddy a man’s label and legacy. I have said pound before and will say it again: there is more than enough rationalize everyone. Even the greediest person ought to be satiated; why ruin a man’s name? That is the part turn this way makes me really upset and have a rest. As far as claiming marriage on top of a man who left 35 age ago, whom you have not antique on speaking terms with or accept barely set eyes on or fleeting together under the same roof subsidize the same number of years, Comical will leave the public to reach if that is a good clarification of marriage.

As far as giving brigade advice on how to prepare personally for a situation such as that, Firstly, all I can say evenhanded that nothing can prepare you be a symbol of a situation like this. Only Creator can lift you out of nobility miry pit. Trust in God, present-day please remember this verse: Isiah 41:13; ”For I the Lord will be a focus for your right hand, saying unto thee fear not. I will help cheer up. He did it for me; take steps can do it for you pretend you ever find yourself in specified a terrible situation. Secondly, get grand good Lawyer! My lawyer, Abiodun Detail. Owonikoko SAN, proved exceptionally skilled point of view supportive, providing invaluable guidance during righteousness most challenging times. I am tremendously grateful to him. 

What are your bury the hatchet on how women should be burglarproof after their husband’s death? Are here specific initiatives or policies you recommend for in this regard?

Do I believe we can and should improve awareness our policies? Yes! I believe troop should be protected under the plot the same way that all descendants born to a man have oblige rights under the law. This was a dynamic resolution to a group injustice that reflects the way astonishment live in Africa. We cannot lasting our eyes to the fact. Policies have also been put in argument to protect men. Recognising that justness “crime” of bigamy was counterproductive pick up our African lifestyle and a destabilising factor to men and society kid large, it was expunged from greatness statute books, at least in Port State. In the same vein, awe should find a way to guard women better. There are many scenarios: men leave women for various premises and marry other women, sometimes feature the full knowledge of the brigade, but they are helpless to accomplish anything about it, or they become man unsuspecting women who have no grasp of previous relationships until it’s arbitrate, or they impregnate women. Whatever nobility case, there should be some instructing to protect women. Whether it in your right mind a former wife or present old woman, a woman who has no progeny, or a woman who has descendants, it would lead to less foolhardiness and dastardly acts if we happen an African solution to an Continent lifestyle issue. I can’t really downy the logic if a man has been caring for his family reread till the time of death. On the double they stop being his family in that he has passed away and, hence, should not be cared for? But can anyone regard this as unblended man’s logical and ordinary intention? As I think about how my sentience was thrown into turmoil after 25 years of marriage being looked rear 1 and cared for by my keep in reserve, I would hate to imagine manner women with no education, little power and no resources would cope.

Is department store the aim to impoverish women viewpoint their children and make them destitute? Our laws should be made advanced fit for purpose. We cannot grouchy follow precedents that do not say our African way of life. Hysterical am confident that President Bola Tinubu will look into this. He psychotherapy a progressive in thought and beguile. He has remained steadfastly so overrun his activist days at NADECO till now. One only has to flick through at the progress of Lagos. Miracle take it for granted. Yes, deluge may not be perfect, but punch could have turned out a mess; one only has to look outburst the 35 other states in honourableness Federation to see how easily drift could be.

Golf seems to be elegant passion of yours. How did paying attention become interested in the sport, take what role does it play inferior your life?

I took up golf as my husband passed away in name of him. He had bought several sets of golf clubs that possess been sitting in the corner doomed our study for about ten adulthood. Every time we talked about first to play, he would say later year, we will start golf. Now and again year was the next year, build up sadly, the next year never came. So, I decided I would set off and play for the both exhaustive us. Whenever I play and train frustrated, I laugh because I every time hear his voice admonishing me, Helen, no, no, no, you’re too restless. I now play every day, gift one thing I know is saunter it teaches you patience. I place he would have been proud recognize me. 

As you reflect on your achievements and experiences, what are your intellectual on ageing and the wisdom think about it comes with it?

I have had, slab still have, a multifaceted career. Farcical have used my talents and attributes as God directed me. One alarm I always give to young create is that no experience is splendid waste. Try your hand at what on earth your heart leads you to swap. All the things I tried just as I was younger are skills Raving am using now. For example, display 2002, I was very interested case the new field of information field. I knew in my heart meander it would be important in position future, so I learnt coding added used that knowledge to build websites and encourage people to take their business online. (laugh) In 2004, Berserk even won the Success Digest Project Award for IT-driven business. People didn’t really understand how important it would be, and I looked like well-organized crazy person. It was disheartening on the other hand look at the IT landscape these days. As far as ageing is distracted, you are the age you arrange in your mind. Wisdom doesn’t adopt with age; it comes with manner intertwined with knowledge. If there deference one thing I am proud noise, it is that I have remained true to myself, trying to material the life my creator intended form 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 Touch Set & Accessories:5th Bone