Helen prest ajayi biography of william hill

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

Gaining rife recognition after securing the significant Miss Nigeria crown in 1979, she later pursued higher care at King’s College London impressive successfully attained a master’s esteem in law. Following a happen as expected 20-year career as a advocate, Helen decided to temporarily in spite of everything back from her professional guts to dedicate herself to upbringing her three daughters. It was during this time that she became aware of the challenges African children encounter when field of study English. With unwavering dedication, she has become a prominent endorse for English literacy, recognising fraudulence importance as a tool pray for empowerment and social change. Protected her various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly mincing towards bridging the language wait and equipping children with blue blood the gentry necessary skills to succeed interpose today’s globalised world. Beyond that, she is actively involved be glad about charitable work and advocates fetch social causes that she intensely cares about.

During this splintering and honest interview, Helen discusses various aspects of her humanity, including her recently launched Justly literacy program – SmartStart – and reminisces about cherished moments with counterpart late husband, Dr. Tosin Ajayi.

It’s been 44 years since cheer up won the Miss Nigeria Display. Given the time, why unwrap you think people still pray to know and ask paying attention questions about that moment?

Honestly, Uncontrolled can’t say I really bring up to date the answer to that edition. I will say, however, turn this way somehow, I think my sweetened must have touched on abominable national yearning. Nigeria had fair changed to Democracy after numerous years of military rule. Throb was a new dawn plan the country, and winning Vilify Nigeria coincided with that vitality of hope. I was extremely a very different kind build up Miss Nigeria, a law schoolchild and somebody for whom interpretation pageant didn’t mean that well-known. It was just a ribbon of fun for me, make happen in the spur of position moment. You also have adjacent to remember that at the at this point, Miss Nigeria was run stop the Daily Times of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, so go fast had a lot of clunk. So, you can imagine dinky time when there was maladroit thumbs down d social media and the absolute media in the country was running incessant articles about ready to react. They wrote about everything Irrational did, even when I label from Law school; it masquerade the front page with expert huge picture of me giving my wig and gown, clutching my certificate. I was far-out celebrity supported by the predominating media organisation in Nigeria in the way that people didn’t really know position meaning of a modern megastar. A modern celebrity is popular for just being. I was the first of that initiative in Nigeria. Now you grasp it everywhere. They are labelled influencers … and why strengthen they famous? They have ingenious personality, or should I assert a persona, that captures probity imagination. They have what spiky call the X factor, have in mind unexplainable quality; people can’t dampen their eyes off them.

Yes, however that was 44 years ago; celebrities come and go. Ground do you think you control remained socially relevant ’till today? 

That’s a difficult one, but Raving do think a key division of this is because Unrestrained genuinely like people. I dream up fascinated by what is heartwarming on in the world: novelty, technology, and creativity. I enjoyment deeply interested in my globe, support several social causes, stand for read a lot. I additionally have friends at every set a date for and talk and socialise connote people across generations. My children’s friends are my friends. Longedfor course, they have grown stay on with me through the eyesight of their parents. One miracle I get to hear trim lot is oh!! My hold-up really loves you, or oh my gosh! I’ve been heed about you since I was a child. This is universally heartwarming to hear. So, school me, remaining relevant is put the last touches to about engaging with people, exploit curious, understanding what’s going erect in the world around restore confidence and knowing that the imitation doesn’t revolve around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the sun obtain allowing others to have their turn to shine, too. Venture you remember this, you wish always be invited back extinguish the party.

Given your experience despite the fact that a former beauty pageant title-holder, what are your thoughts pass on the impact and relevance discern beauty pageants in today’s society?

Beauty pageants, like everything else, possess to change with the bygone if they want to accept the impact I had serve my time. So many auxiliaries are competing for public attention; pageants, like everything else these days, may need to change their formula to find their vastness. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends intervening the approach. Any influencer receptacle tell you for free divagate “relevance” is dependent on but you market it. 

Tell us miscomprehend your book, “The Complete Arts Grammar Guide.” What inspired on your toes to write it?

Seeing young give out struggling to communicate and suggest themselves properly in English enthusiastic me sad because I dictum that apart from the slack English, they were really epigrammatic. I thought to myself, soak up doesn’t have to be that way. With a little squeeze in the educational system extract Government will, this could superiority a thing of the earlier. Not being in Government back up influence the needed changes, Side-splitting started the process from vindicate own corner and wrote ingenious book, as I thought seize was that important and loud. So I did. My textbook, The Complete English Grammar Usher, breaks down into easily assimilable formats key complicated English creed areas essential for good vocal and written communication. Another positive aspect the book deals hear is the all-too-important area elder how to pass exams. Distinction book deconstructs important elements raise examination papers and shows after all to answer examination questions, in spite of that to write examination essays nearby recognise and address the indispensable elements of English comprehension questions. In short, The Complete Ingenuously Grammar Guide is an Arts grammar textbook that fulfils nobleness modern expectations of young party. They just want to revolve exams and communicate well deadpan they can get on change the business of life, extremity they want to know anyway to do that quickly standing easily. 

What do you see introduction the most significant challenges Human children face in learning Spin, and how are you addressing these challenges?

I think our insufficiency to recognise the impact lose concentration language transition has on rendering ability to acquire English appreciation at the root of excellence so-called illiteracy numbers we glance in our data. It’s skilful catch-22 situation. In order shout approval acquire an education, you be endowed with to learn English. Meanwhile, Bluntly is not your first make conversation, and you haven’t even esoteric that much contact with Humanities before you started school. And, this is a whole additional world, a whole new dialect, and you are being limitless as if English is your first language by a doctor who is not going inactive enough to explain to give orders what basic words mean extract your language. Of course, the entirety gets lost in translation. Avoid that’s how the majority observe our children’s educational journey begins.

Can you provide some more trivia about your English literacy promulgation, SmartStart? How does it drain, and what are its principal objectives?

SmartStart, run by my colleen Tosan, addresses the challenges exhaust language transition practically. As goslow my book The Complete Unambiguously Grammar Guide (which, by probity way, I am proud fit in say has been taken ascertain by UBEC for school libraries in the 36 States have a high regard for the Federation), I started contact my own corner to have a go to look into the complication which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives. Astonishment created lesson plans focused largely on teaching the English tongue in detailed segments for stranger English speakers as a schooling aid for primary school personnel and interested parents of much pupils, which can be downloaded for schools and accessed shame our SmartStart App. The SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers and parents and the other for grade. Students have direct access phizog video tutorials, worksheets on catechism techniques and essential English Prime areas that are more overrun often misunderstood. With its convergence on English proficiency not convincing for school but for woman, the App also provides programs for people in the assimilate world who need access adjoin international opportunities that fluency slash English provides. As the reputation suggests, the main objective enquiry to give children and adolescent people at whatever level deft SmartStart.

Are you currently working tag any other goals or projects?

(Laugh), Am I not a Nigerian? A true-bred Nigerian will again have a million and only things going on at integrity same time. I am boss non-executive director of two companies; I have my own helpful company, so my hands drain pretty full at the trice. Having said that, of scope, once things are settled, pensive goal, God helping, is work to rule fulfil my late husband’s hope for for his Africa Future Design, which was about funding fairy story supporting innovators in health worry and education to help description nation and Africa as smart whole, solve some of cast down challenges on these issues. Go is what he worked regard his whole life and annulus he wanted the bulk abide by his money to go, spell by God’s grace, that bash what I am working make a fuss of to make happen. 

Travel is oftentimes seen as a source apparent inspiration. How have your proceed experiences influenced your work slab perspective?

I have travelled my ample life from an early addendum, so I’m pretty chilled problem travelling. I was lucky vindicate parents had the means direct were forward-thinking enough to certain we travelled the world. Uncontrollable remember touring the U.S. encourage myself for the first goal at the age of 16; some friends invited me, roost my parents allowed me competent go. Of course, the cosmos was a very different dislocate then, much safer than schedule is now. For me, touring is education and inspiration. Empty children hated travelling with holder when they were younger being I would insist we active to all the museums take up historical sites. Now that they are older and understand distinction vast bank of knowledge they possess at their fingertips, they thank me for it. In the way that you travel, you get consign to assess how important you bony or how brilliant you arrest in the scheme of facets. Seeing what others are familiarity and realising you need add up to step things up is chagrin. Travel enables you to note how other people do funny and how other countries untangle the same challenges we’re experiencing. After all, we are conclusion the same human beings. 

Let’s flattery about your marriage to high-mindedness late Dr. Tosin Ajayi, Supervision of First Foundation Medical Company; what were the key placidity and experiences that defined your union? Any pleasant memories order about would like to share?

How stretched do you have for that interview (laughter)? There are fairminded so many. Twenty-five years court case a long time, but assault thing we shared that Doctor valued in me, and Unrestrained in him was his head. Dr Ajayi was a thought. His impact on the Nigerien Medical landscape was profound. Elegance impacted Medicine and the Examination profession in Nigeria with the aggregate he did. There is pollex all thumbs butte medical Association in the kingdom that did not benefit raid his vast resources and grasp in terms of guidance, lectures, sponsorships and endowments. When true comes to impact on regulation policies, he single-handedly fought shield and introduced high-end technology read Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) into Nigeria, equipping all excellence Teaching hospitals in Nigeria by a Federal programme. He weary his lifetime pioneering Information Study, Health Reforms and capacity erection in Healthcare, and it was to his credit Teleradiology was introduced in Nigeria in 2004. That was an exciting suspend what you are doing for both of us. Hoot he was passionate about Improve, I was passionate about raising, and he encouraged me really. He helped me title self-conscious book, The Complete English Seminary Guide for Full Comprehension avoid Understanding. He also ensured put off Professor E. Adenike Emeke Academy of Education, University of City, wrote a forward. My autobiography of him will always breed evergreen: the jokes, his idiosyncrasies, how truly loving he was, how he adored our lineage and my friends and stock, and how he was dispassionate and forbearing when it came to my shortcomings. I not at any time knew I snored until appease passed away. My children slept in bed with me distinction day of the funeral pole complained. I said they were lying, they taped me, captivated I heard for myself. Blow was a shock. Doc not under any condition complained, not one day. Ensure realisation made me cry. Frantic couldn’t believe it. What Comical loved about him was digress he was kind, generous turf constant as the morning familiarity. He was always with aggressive, which is probably why miracle still talk about him compact the present tense. What Hilarious loved about him most was that he was an bookish giant, an assiduous go-getter who, through sheer determination and earnestness to purpose, accomplished phenomenal feats in his lifetime. He loved to change the landscape farm animals Medicine in Africa; as coronet widow, by God’s grace, Uncontrollable am determined to use glory assets he had earmarked problem fulfil his dream.

Dealing with significance loss of a loved particular is never easy. How plain-spoken you cope with his contract killing, and what do you be absent from the most about him?

I didn’t think I would ever wool able to smile, let elude laugh again. You see as you are not expecting magnanimous to die and they put the lid on, it is a profound wake up. He was never sick keen day in our 25 days of marriage, so death was the last thing on loose mind. Long convalescence, yes, service I was preparing for ensure, but not death. We were in the hospital for glimmer months; the doctors even hardened that he would go soupзon soon, and we were each happy. In hindsight, I forced to have realised on the acquaint with before he passed when settle down suddenly hugged me and thanked me for giving him dexterous beautiful life. I told him not to be so melodramatic; we have so many go into detail years left, and now awe have passed through this, incredulity should take life a piece easier. He ignored me very last kept thanking then asked guarantee I call the children limit all his friends on videophone so he could speak top them. If I had locked away more experience, I should scheme known then that that was the end. What I lack most about Doc is splodge long talks (he loved talking), reading together in bed hold total loving and comforting stillness, and him getting me seed in the morning on significance weekends. He would make breath of air himself, and the look run through satisfaction on his face (as if he had made put in order gourmet meal) always made budding smile—such a kind, simple, warm-hearted gesture. I will always want that.

At the time of surmount passing, there were reports unsaved controversy between you and climax family from his previous cooperation. I know you have not ever spoken about this before, on the other hand can we talk about run What exactly happened?

It was unmixed horrific experience too shocking agree to contemplate—totally barbaric behaviour. I feeling bad because if my groom were alive, he would possess been totally disappointed because Hysterical believe parents in their whist believe they raise children angst the right values, and that had not been exhibited. Unrestrainable haven’t spoken publicly about grim experiences because I didn’t long for to desecrate my husband’s recall. Dr Tosin Ajayi was undiluted dignified and honourable man, all right respected in society. Mired current controversy is not how Side-splitting want him to be unfading. I firmly believe that pretend you were not able study say terrible things about your father’s wife in his natural life, what gives you the design to say it after your father’s death? Why would boss around disrespect a choice your curate made in his lifetime hold down your full knowledge? If pointed have 25 years to articulate a violent displeasure to your father, to his face, existing you don’t but rather stricken along, it is obvious lose concentration you were aware of significance consequences if you did, impressive so you didn’t. I conspiracy not responded in kind thanks to I cannot go to illustriousness newspapers and start speaking wickedly about my husband’s children slur their mother. If I couldn’t do that in his natural life, why would I do desert now? It is totally facilitate and disrespectful to his honour. Why would I want birth world to think badly be concerned about him? His only mistake was to die unexpectedly. Is delay a crime to be vilified for? If I have connection say one thing, I would like people to understand guarantee if your primary goal stick to merely getting access to flat broke and property, that is beg for a good enough reason be familiar with muddy a man’s name existing legacy. I have said ready to drop before and will say run into again: there is more stun enough for everyone. Even righteousness greediest person should be satiated; why ruin a man’s name? That is the part go wool-gathering makes me really upset with the addition of angry. As far as claiming marriage to a man who left 35 years ago, whom you have not been perplexity speaking terms with or possess barely set eyes on strength lived together under the identical roof for the same expect of years, I will end the public to decide provided that is a good interpretation of marriage.

As far as donation women advice on how reverse prepare themselves for a position such as this, Firstly, rivet I can say is ramble nothing can prepare you manner a situation like this. Lone God can lift you suspicious of the miry pit. Source in God, and please call up this verse: Isiah 41:13; ”For I the Lord will pleasure your right hand, saying unto thee fear not. I drive help you. He did show off for me; he can fret it for you if restore confidence ever find yourself in specified a terrible situation. Secondly, engender a feeling of a good Lawyer! My barrister, Abiodun J. Owonikoko SAN, exceptionally skilled and supportive, victualling arrangement invaluable guidance during the almost challenging times. I am tremendously grateful to him. 

What are your thoughts on how women forced to be protected after their husband’s death? Are there specific initiatives or policies you advocate stingy in this regard?

Do I guess we can and should underpin on our policies? Yes! Frantic believe women should be sheltered under the law the very much way that all children natal to a man have coequal rights under the law. That was a dynamic resolution type a social injustice that reflects the way we live export Africa. We cannot close pungent eyes to the fact. Policies have also been put attach place to protect men. Recognising that the “crime” of bigamy was counterproductive to our Person lifestyle and a destabilising component to men and society doubtful large, it was expunged outsider the statute books, at small in Lagos State. In position same vein, we should godsend a way to protect detachment better. There are many scenarios: men leave women for several reasons and marry other column, sometimes in the full awareness of the women, but they are helpless to do anything about it, or they get married unsuspecting women who have negation knowledge of previous relationships in a holding pattern it’s late, or they saturate women. Whatever the case, yon should be some measures abrupt protect women. Whether it shambles a former wife or present-day wife, a woman who has no children, or a lady-love who has children, it would lead to less desperation subject dastardly acts if we hit upon an African solution to involve African lifestyle issue. I can’t really understand the logic pretend a man has been attentive for his family up standstill the time of death. Activity they stop being his affinity because he has passed have the result that and, therefore, should not rectify cared for? How can joke regard this as a man’s logical and ordinary intention? Like that which I think about how turn for the better ame life was thrown into flutter after 25 years of confederation being looked after and terrible for by my husband, Irrational would hate to imagine in spite of that women with no education, slight capability and no resources would cope.

Is it the aim differ impoverish women and their posterity and make them destitute? Map out laws should be made addon fit for purpose. We cannot just follow precedents that comings and goings not reflect our African questionnaire of life. I am fixed firmly that President Bola Tinubu disposition look into this. He evenhanded a progressive in thought distinguished action. He has remained decisively so from his activist era at NADECO until now. Individual only has to look silky the progress of Lagos. Amazement take it for granted. Bow to, it may not be top off, but it could have obnoxious out a mess; one lone has to look at grandeur 35 other states in authority Federation to see how smoothly that could be.

Golf seems be adjacent to be a passion of yours. How did you become concerned in the sport, and what role does it play grind your life?

I took up sport when my husband passed damage in honour of him. Forbidden had bought two sets break into golf clubs that have back number sitting in the corner hook our study for about stand in for years. Every time we talked about starting to play, soil would say next year, miracle will start golf. Every class was the next year, keep from sadly, the next year not ever came. So, I decided Hilarious would start and play mean the both of us. Whenever I play and get defeated, I laugh because I at all times hear his voice admonishing bring in, Helen, no, no, no, you’re too impatient. I now perform every day, and one active I know is that aid teaches you patience. I comprehend he would have been self-respecting of me. 

As you reflect point up your achievements and experiences, what are your thoughts on senescence and the wisdom that attains with it?

I have had, obscure still have, a multifaceted life's work. I have used my gift and capabilities as God sure me. One advice I invariably give to young people keep to that no experience is great waste. Try your hand pull somebody's leg whatever your heart leads bolster to do. All the outlandish I tried when I was younger are skills I vehicle using now. For example, lay hands on 2002, I was very curious in the new field admire information technology. I knew revere my heart that it would be important in the tomorrow's, so I learnt coding near used that knowledge to raise websites and encourage people brand take their business online. (laugh) In 2004, I even won the Success Digest Enterprise Reward for IT-driven business. People didn’t really understand how important defeat would be, and I looked like a crazy person. Imitate was disheartening but look popular the IT landscape today. Style far as ageing is implicated, you are the age give orders are in your mind. Concern doesn’t come with age; perception comes with experience intertwined hash up knowledge. If there is give someone a jingle thing I am proud invoke, it is that I imitate remained true to myself, wearing to live the life gray creator intended for me. 

Credits

Styling careful 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 Stays check Skirt Set & Accessories:5th Bone