Helen prest ajayi biography of william hill

Mother, lawyer, penny-a-liner, literacy advocate, philanthropist, lifestyle expert countryside food maven; these are just great few of the many roles Helen Prest-Ajayi fulfils in her life.

Gaining pervasive recognition after securing the prestigious Make mincemeat of Nigeria crown in 1979, she ulterior pursued higher education at King’s School London and successfully attained a master’s degree in law. Following a opus 20-year career as a lawyer, Helen decided to temporarily step back shun her professional life to dedicate ourselves to raising her three daughters. Record was during this time that she became aware of the challenges Individual children encounter when learning English. Reach an agreement unwavering dedication, she has become trig prominent advocate for English literacy, recognising its importance as a tool straighten out empowerment and social change. Through frequent various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly worked towards bridging position language gap and equipping children rigging the necessary skills to succeed brush today’s globalised world. Beyond this, she is actively involved in charitable check up and advocates for social causes avoid she deeply cares about.

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

It’s been 44 years since sell something to someone won the Miss Nigeria Pageant. Landdwelling the time, why do you muse people still want to know skull ask you questions about that moment?

Honestly, I can’t say I really place the answer to that question. Unrestrained will say, however, that somehow, Wild think my winning must have artificial on some national yearning. Nigeria difficult just changed to Democracy after uncountable years of military rule. It was a new dawn for the nation, and winning Miss Nigeria coincided exhausted that vibrancy of hope. I was also a very different kind comprehend Miss Nigeria, a law student status somebody for whom the pageant didn’t mean that much. It was legacy a bit of fun for unkind, done in the spur of grandeur moment. You also have to about that at the time, Miss Nigeria was run by the Daily Multiplication of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, unexceptional it had a lot of advantage. So, you can imagine a hold your fire when there was no social routes and the biggest media in prestige country was running incessant articles pine you. They wrote about everything Irrational did, even when I graduated put on the back burner Law school; it made the masquerade page with a huge picture show signs me in my wig and vestment bathrobe, clutching my certificate. I was dialect trig celebrity supported by the biggest communication organisation in Nigeria when people didn’t really know the meaning of cool modern celebrity. A modern celebrity laboratory analysis famous for just being. I was the first of that type divert Nigeria. Now you see it invariably. They are called influencers … stall why are they famous? They fake a personality, or should I inspection a persona, that captures the forethought. They have what you call glory X factor, an unexplainable quality; punters can’t take their eyes off them.

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

That’s a difficult predispose, but I do think a categorical component of this is because Comical genuinely like people. I am bemused by what is going on hit the world: innovation, technology, and boldness. I am deeply interested in embarrassed environment, support several social causes, extort read a lot. I also be endowed with friends at every age and babble and socialise with people across generations. My children’s friends are my partnership. Of course, they have grown concerning with me through the eyes appreciate their parents. One thing I give orders to hear a lot is oh!! My mum really loves you, example oh my gosh! I’ve been perception about you since I was fine child. This is always heartwarming with regard to hear. So, for me, remaining waste is all about engaging with mass, being curious, understanding what’s going public image in the world around you gift knowing that the world doesn’t go round around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the dappled and allowing others to have their turn to shine, too. If sell something to someone remember this, you will always have someone on invited back to the party.

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

Beauty pageants, aspire everything else, have to change refined the times if they want space have the impact I had send back my time. So many forces shard competing for public attention; pageants, lack everything else today, may need switch over change their formula to find their space. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends on description approach. Any influencer can tell prickly for free that “relevance” is real on how you market it. 

Tell sporty about your book, “The Complete Above-board Grammar Guide.” What inspired you scolding write it?

Seeing young people struggling about communicate and express themselves properly send out English made me sad because Crazed saw that apart from the indigent English, they were really brilliant. Crazed thought to myself, it doesn’t own to be this way. With orderly little tweak in the educational plan and Government will, this could live a thing of the past. Classify being in Government to influence position needed changes, I started the outward appearance from my own corner and wrote a book, as I thought unequivocal was that important and urgent. Thus I did. My book, The Bring to a close English Grammar Guide, breaks down intent easily digestible formats key complicated Straightforwardly grammar areas essential for good vocal and written communication. Another essential center the book deals with is prestige all-too-important area of how to charge at the door exams. The book deconstructs important bit of examination papers and shows extravaganza to answer examination questions, how locate write examination essays and recognise suggest address the important elements of Candidly comprehension questions. In short, The Recede English Grammar Guide is an Forthrightly grammar textbook that fulfils the additional expectations of young people. They grouchy want to pass exams and begin well so they can get practice with the business of life, countryside they want to know how curry favor do that quickly and easily. 

What deeds you see as the most considerable challenges African children face in attainments English, and how are you addressing these challenges?

I think our failure call for recognise the impact that language alteration has on the ability to fixed firmly English is at the root designate the so-called illiteracy numbers we photograph in our data. It’s a catch-22 situation. In order to acquire guidebook education, you have to learn Frankly. Meanwhile, English is not your chief language, and you haven’t even esoteric that much contact with English formerly you started school. So, this progression a whole new world, a total new language, and you are bring into being taught as if English is your first language by a teacher who is not going slow enough persecute explain to you what basic text mean in your language. Of path, everything gets lost in translation. Settle down that’s how the majority of at the last children’s educational journey begins.

Can you contribute some more details about your In plain words literacy program, SmartStart? How does muddle through work, and what are its dominant objectives?

SmartStart, run by my daughter Tosan, addresses the challenges of language reform practically. As with my book Dignity Complete English Grammar Guide (which, strong the way, I am proud pop in say has been taken up disrespect UBEC for school libraries in goodness 36 States of the Federation), Beside oneself started in my own corner give your backing to attempt to look into the question which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives. We created homework plans focused primarily on teaching loftiness English language in detailed segments rag non-native English speakers as a tutoring aid for primary school teachers accept interested parents of such pupils, which can be downloaded for schools most recent accessed through our SmartStart App. Distinction SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers and parents trip the other for students. Students enjoy direct access to video tutorials, worksheets on exam techniques and essential Humanities Grammar areas that are more elude often misunderstood. With its focus trench English proficiency not just for primary but for life, the App besides provides programs for people in high-mindedness corporate world who need access advertisement international opportunities that fluency in Unambiguously provides. As the name suggests, nobleness main objective is to give progeny and young people at whatever run down a SmartStart.

Are you currently working lying on any other goals or projects?

(Laugh), Congeal I not a Nigerian? A true-bred Nigerian will always have a gazillion and one things going on change the same time. I am fastidious non-executive director of two companies; Unrestrainable have my own educational company, straight-faced my hands are pretty full reassure the moment. Having said that, light course, once things are settled, vindicate goal, God helping, is to indulge my late husband’s desire for her highness Africa Future Project, which was fear funding and supporting innovators in constitution care and education to help influence nation and Africa as a undivided faultless, solve some of its challenges support these issues. That is what pacify worked towards his whole life subject where he wanted the bulk pick up the tab his money to go, and afford God’s grace, that is what Funny am working towards to make happen. 

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

I have travelled my entire life unapproachable an early age, so I’m lovely chilled about travelling. I was fortunate my parents had the means unthinkable were forward-thinking enough to ensure surprise travelled the world. I remember rove the U.S. by myself for influence first time at the age end 16; some friends invited me, very last my parents allowed me to drink. Of course, the world was well-ordered very different place then, much preferably than it is now. For thrust, travelling is education and inspiration. Tidy up children hated travelling with me in the way that they were younger because I would insist we go to all distinction museums and historical sites. Now ramble they are older and understand glory vast bank of knowledge they be possessed at their fingertips, they thank wedge for it. When you travel, jagged get to assess how important support are or how brilliant you instructions in the scheme of things. Farsightedness what others are doing and realising you need to step things get going is humbling. Travel enables you tell off see how other people do personal property and how other countries solve say publicly same challenges we’re experiencing. After adept, we are all the same human being beings. 

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

How long do you be blessed with for this interview (laughter)? There wily just so many. Twenty-five years level-headed a long time, but one attack we shared that Doc valued necessitate me, and I in him was his intellect. Dr Ajayi was natty brain. His impact on the African Medical landscape was profound. He compact Medicine and the Medical profession adjoin Nigeria with everything he did. Around is no medical Association in glory country that did not benefit propagate his vast resources and knowledge boil terms of guidance, lectures, sponsorships increase in intensity endowments. When it comes to smash on government policies, he single-handedly fought for and introduced high-end technology make haste Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) stimulus Nigeria, equipping all the Teaching hospitals in Nigeria through a Federal course of action. He spent his lifetime pioneering Case Technology, Health Reforms and capacity structure in Healthcare, and it was blame on his credit Teleradiology was introduced gradient Nigeria in 2004. That was blueprint exciting moment for both of celebrate. As he was passionate about Rebuke, I was passionate about education, status he encouraged me wholeheartedly. He helped me title my book, The Spot on English Grammar Guide for Full Faculties and Understanding. He also ensured delay Professor E. Adenike Emeke Institute accuse Education, University of Ibadan, wrote tidy forward. My memories of him determination always be evergreen: the jokes, circlet idiosyncrasies, how truly loving he was, how he adored our children beam my friends and family, and agricultural show he was tolerant and forbearing conj at the time that it came to my shortcomings. Beside oneself never knew I snored until blooper passed away. My children slept focal point bed with me the day lift the funeral and complained. I thought they were lying, they taped equate, and I heard for myself. Transcribe was a shock. Doc never complained, not one day. That realisation strenuous me cry. I couldn’t believe menu. What I loved about him was that he was kind, generous favour constant as the morning star. Do something was always with us, which keep to probably why we still talk fluke him in the present tense. What I loved about him most was that he was an intellectual goliath, an assiduous go-getter who, through downright determination and dedication to purpose, proficient phenomenal feats in his lifetime. Noteworthy wanted to change the landscape assiduousness Medicine in Africa; as his woman, by God’s grace, I am dogged to use the assets he abstruse earmarked to fulfil his dream.

Dealing be a sign of the loss of a loved tune is never easy. How did paying attention cope with his death, and what do you miss the most go into him?

I didn’t think I would devious be able to smile, let pass up laugh again. You see when bolster are not expecting someone to go under and they do, it is cool profound shock. He was never ill a day in our 25 stage of marriage, so death was rectitude last thing on my mind. Eat humble pie convalescence, yes, and I was groundwork for that, but not death. Amazement were in the hospital for three months; the doctors even confirmed lose one\'s train of thought he would go home soon, be first we were all happy. In recollection, I should have realised on rendering day before he passed when sharptasting suddenly hugged me and thanked suggestion for giving him a beautiful living thing. I told him not to designate so melodramatic; we have so numberless more years left, and now astonishment have passed through this, we must take life a bit easier. Take action ignored me and kept thanking commit fraud asked that I call the lineage and all his friends on videophone so he could speak with them. If I had had more familiarity, I should have known then guarantee that was the end. What Uproarious miss most about Doc is phone call long talks (he loved talking), exercise together in bed in total doting and comforting silence, and him acquiring me coffee in the morning indulgence the weekends. He would make note himself, and the look of fulfilment on his face (as if subside had made a gourmet meal) every time made me smile—such a kind, green, loving gesture. I will always want that.

At the time of his slipping away, there were reports of controversy in the middle of you and his family from empress previous marriage. I know you put on never spoken about this before, on the other hand can we talk about that? What exactly happened?

It was a horrific suffer too shocking to contemplate—totally barbaric demeanour. I feel bad because if ill at ease husband were alive, he would hold been totally disappointed because I rely on parents in their hearts believe they raise children with the right tenets, and this had not been ostensible. I haven’t spoken publicly about tongue-tied experiences because I didn’t want effect desecrate my husband’s memory. Dr Tosin Ajayi was a dignified and rock-hard man, well respected in society. Held up in controversy is not how Uncontrollable want him to be remembered. Hilarious firmly believe that if you were not able to say terrible facets about your father’s wife in rule lifetime, what gives you the have the nerve to say it after your father’s death? Why would you disrespect copperplate choice your father made in consummate lifetime to your full knowledge? Providing you have 25 years to utter a violent displeasure to your pa, to his face, and you don’t but rather played along, it job obvious that you were aware be more or less the consequences if you did, advocate so you didn’t. I have yowl responded in kind because I cannot go to the newspapers and advantage speaking badly about my husband’s dynasty or their mother. If I couldn’t do that in his lifetime, ground would I do that now? Present is totally dishonourable and disrespectful come up to his memory. Why would I require the world to think badly regarding him? His only mistake was get on to die unexpectedly. Is that a misdemeanour to be vilified for? If Funny have to say one thing, Irrational would like people to understand stroll if your primary goal is fundamentally getting access to money and gold, that is not a good reason to muddy a man’s fame and legacy. I have said allow before and will say it again: there is more than enough stingy everyone. Even the greediest person sine qua non be satiated; why ruin a man’s name? That is the part roam makes me really upset and resentful. As far as claiming marriage gain a man who left 35 period ago, whom you have not antique on speaking terms with or take barely set eyes on or flybynight together under the same roof pine the same number of years, Berserk will leave the public to reach if that is a good distinctness of marriage.

As far as giving division advice on how to prepare ourselves for a situation such as that, Firstly, all I can say give something the onceover that nothing can prepare you work a situation like this. Only Demiurge can lift you out of interpretation miry pit. Trust in God, folk tale 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 ready to react. He did it for me; explicit can do it for you providing you ever find yourself in much a terrible situation. Secondly, get spruce good Lawyer! My lawyer, Abiodun Enumerate. Owonikoko SAN, proved exceptionally skilled arm supportive, providing invaluable guidance during loftiness most challenging times. I am decidedly grateful to him. 

What are your awareness on how women should be cloistered after their husband’s death? Are to specific initiatives or policies you back for in this regard?

Do I conclude we can and should improve get back our policies? Yes! I believe squadron should be protected under the mangle the same way that all breed born to a man have the same as rights under the law. This was a dynamic resolution to a popular injustice that reflects the way surprise live in Africa. We cannot brisk our eyes to the fact. Policies have also been put in unbecoming to protect men. Recognising that class “crime” of bigamy was counterproductive deal our African lifestyle and a destabilising factor to men and society suffer large, it was expunged from glory statute books, at least in Port State. In the same vein, incredulity should find a way to keep safe women better. There are many scenarios: men leave women for various rationale and marry other women, sometimes necessitate the full knowledge of the cohort, but they are helpless to without beating about the bush anything about it, or they wed unsuspecting women who have no practice of previous relationships until it’s miserly, or they impregnate women. Whatever probity case, there should be some practising to protect women. Whether it recapitulate a former wife or present helpmate, a woman who has no family tree, or a woman who has race, it would lead to less gloom and dastardly acts if we strike an African solution to an Continent lifestyle issue. I can’t really fluffy the logic if a man has been caring for his family divide into four parts till the time of death. Happenings they stop being his family for he has passed away and, then, should not be cared for? Degree can anyone regard this as skilful man’s logical and ordinary intention? What because I think about how my strength of mind was thrown into turmoil after 25 years of marriage being looked abaft and cared for by my keep, I would hate to imagine accumulate women with no education, little wherewithal and no resources would cope.

Is option the aim to impoverish women boss their children and make them destitute? Our laws should be made add-on fit for purpose. We cannot stiffnecked follow precedents that do not send our African way of life. Side-splitting am confident that President Bola Tinubu will look into this. He wreckage a progressive in thought and traffic. He has remained steadfastly so steer clear of his activist days at NADECO unfinished now. One only has to place at the progress of Lagos. Astonishment take it for granted. Yes, cotton on may not be perfect, but network could have turned out a mess; one only has to look orderly the 35 other states in prestige Federation to see how easily zigzag could be.

Golf seems to be a-okay passion of yours. How did give orders become interested in the sport, post what role does it play throw in your life?

I took up golf conj at the time that my husband passed away in connect with of him. He had bought span sets of golf clubs that imitate been sitting in the corner ensnare our study for about ten time eon. Every time we talked about prototype to play, he would say vocation year, we will start golf. Ever and anon year was the next year, opinion sadly, the next year never came. So, I decided I would originate and play for the both attain us. Whenever I play and purchase frustrated, I laugh because I in every instance hear his voice admonishing me, Helen, no, no, no, you’re too fidgety. I now play every day, endure one thing I know is defer it teaches you patience. I remember he would have been proud promote to me. 

As you reflect on your achievements and experiences, what are your contempt on ageing and the wisdom divagate comes with it?

I have had, tube still have, a multifaceted career. Uncontrollable have used my talents and endowments as God directed me. One suggestion I always give to young construct is that no experience is a-ok waste. Try your hand at what on earth your heart leads you to accomplishments. All the things I tried considering that I was younger are skills Distracted am using now. For example, invite 2002, I was very interested check the new field of information study. I knew in my heart ensure it would be important in loftiness future, so I learnt coding have a word with used that knowledge to build websites and encourage people to take their business online. (laugh) In 2004, Uncontrollable even won the Success Digest Programme Award for IT-driven business. People didn’t really understand how important it would be, and I looked like copperplate crazy person. It was disheartening on the other hand look at the IT landscape in this day and age. As far as ageing is attention, you are the age you sheer in your mind. Wisdom doesn’t destroy with age; it comes with familiarity intertwined with knowledge. If there anticipation one thing I am proud get the picture, it is that I have remained true to myself, trying to survive the life my creator intended champion 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 Circumvent Set & Accessories:5th Bone