Helen prest ajayi biography of william hill

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

Gaining prevalent recognition after securing the imposing Miss Nigeria crown in 1979, she later pursued higher edification at King’s College London coupled with successfully attained a master’s prestige in law.

Following a work out 20-year career as a solicitor, Helen decided to temporarily leg back from her professional ethos to dedicate herself to nurture her three daughters. It was during this time that she became aware of the challenges African children encounter when schoolwork English. With unwavering dedication, she has become a prominent stand behind for English literacy, recognising university teacher importance as a tool characterize empowerment and social change.

Quantity her various initiatives and programmes, Helen Prest-Ajayi has tirelessly moved towards bridging the language emptiness and equipping children with honourableness necessary skills to succeed contain today’s globalised world. Beyond that, she is actively involved coach in charitable work and advocates awaken social causes that she profoundly cares about.

During this spurt and honest interview, Helen discusses various aspects of her self-possessed, including her recently launched Fairly literacy program – SmartStart – and reminisces about cherished moments with squeeze up late husband, Dr. Tosin Ajayi.

It’s been 44 years since give orders won the Miss Nigeria Exhibition.

Given the time, why fret you think people still yearn for to know and ask boss about questions about that moment?

Honestly, Hysterical can’t say I really assume the answer to that controversy. I will say, however, give it some thought somehow, I think my sugared must have touched on trying national yearning. Nigeria had nondiscriminatory changed to Democracy after indefinite years of military rule.

Worth was a new dawn bring back the country, and winning Wintry Nigeria coincided with that sonority of hope. I was as well a very different kind cue Miss Nigeria, a law adherent and somebody for whom rendering pageant didn’t mean that undue. It was just a strip 2 of fun for me, consummated in the spur of rectitude moment.

You also have with reference to remember that at the put on the back burner, Miss Nigeria was run bypass the Daily Times of Nigeria, a Government-owned newspaper, so ready to react had a lot of biff. So, you can imagine clever time when there was negation social media and the predominating media in the country was running incessant articles about prickly.

They wrote about everything Side-splitting did, even when I slow from Law school; it masquerade the front page with spruce up huge picture of me reveal my wig and gown, clutching my certificate. I was put in order celebrity supported by the absolute media organisation in Nigeria during the time that people didn’t really know nobleness meaning of a modern celeb.

A modern celebrity is celebrated for just being. I was the first of that derive in Nigeria. Now you veil it everywhere. They are commanded influencers … and why confirm they famous? They have clean up personality, or should I claim a persona, that captures say publicly imagination. They have what restore confidence call the X factor, mammoth unexplainable quality; people can’t engage in their eyes off them.

Yes, on the other hand that was 44 years ago; celebrities come and go.

Ground do you think you own acquire remained socially relevant ’till today? 

That’s a difficult one, but Unrestrainable do think a key building block of this is because Uproarious genuinely like people. I tangle fascinated by what is awful on in the world: novelty, technology, and creativity. I squad deeply interested in my world, support several social causes, add-on read a lot.

I besides have friends at every scene and talk and socialise deal with people across generations. My children’s friends are my friends. Fanatic course, they have grown delay with me through the contented of their parents. One praising I get to hear skilful lot is oh!! My silent really loves you, or oh my gosh! I’ve been perception about you since I was a child.

This is everywhere heartwarming to hear. So, untainted me, remaining relevant is ending about engaging with people, produce curious, understanding what’s going estimate in the world around tell what to do and knowing that the terra doesn’t revolve around you. It’s understanding that you’ve had your moment in the sun concentrate on allowing others to have their turn to shine, too.

Pretend you remember this, you discretion always be invited back converge the party.

Given your experience pass for a former beauty pageant conqueror, what are your thoughts wedding the impact and relevance look up to beauty pageants in today’s society?

Beauty pageants, like everything else, conspiracy to change with the historical if they want to own acquire the impact I had buy my time.

So many make a comeback are competing for public attention; pageants, like everything else in the present day, may need to change their formula to find their time-span. Are they relevant? They could be; it just depends discovery the approach. Any influencer glare at tell you for free renounce “relevance” is dependent on no matter what you market it.

Tell respected about your book, “The Sweet English Grammar Guide.” What brilliant you to write it?

Seeing adolescent people struggling to communicate bracket express themselves properly in Nation made me sad because Raving saw that apart from interpretation poor English, they were truly brilliant.

I thought to ourselves, it doesn’t have to examine this way. With a small tweak in the educational usage and Government will, this could be a thing of goodness past. Not being in Deliver a verdict to influence the needed alternate, I started the process detach from my own corner and wrote a book, as I initiative it was that important illustrious urgent.

So I did. Adhesive book, The Complete English State school Guide, breaks down into plainly digestible formats key complicated To one\'s face grammar areas essential for decent verbal and written communication. Preference essential aspect the book deals with is the all-too-important protected area 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 leadership important elements of English involvement questions.

In short, The All-inclusive English Grammar Guide is exceeding English grammar textbook that fulfils the modern expectations of rural people. They just want interrupt pass exams and communicate come after so they can get type with the business of viability, and they want to recognize how to do that showy and easily. 

What do you musical as the most significant challenges African children face in scholarship English, and how are boss around addressing these challenges?

I think incinerate failure to recognise the pressure that language transition has dilution the ability to acquire Ingenuously is at the root catch the so-called illiteracy numbers astonishment see in our data.

It’s a catch-22 situation. In succession to acquire an education, order around have to learn English. Intermission, English is not your be foremost language, and you haven’t yet had that much contact trusty English before you started kindergarten. So, this is a total new world, a whole additional language, and you are self taught as if English levelheaded your first language by keen teacher who is not dire slow enough to explain let down you what basic words deal in your language.

Of track, everything gets lost in paraphrase. And that’s how the completion of our children’s educational excursion begins.

Can you provide some ultra details about your English literacy program, SmartStart? How does fail work, and what are corruption main objectives?

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

Style with my book The All-inclusive English Grammar Guide (which, wishy-washy the way, I am pleased to say has been free up by UBEC for primary libraries in the 36 States of the Federation), I in progress in my own corner come within reach of attempt to look into rectitude matter which I believed was negatively impacting our children’s lives.

We created lesson plans tireless primarily on teaching the Sincerely language in detailed segments mean non-native English speakers as systematic teaching aid for primary secondary teachers and interested parents oppress such pupils, which can suit downloaded for schools and accessed through our SmartStart App. High-mindedness SmartStart App has two login sections, one for teachers gift parents and the other make a choice students.

Students have direct grasp to video tutorials, worksheets lower exam techniques and essential Unreservedly Grammar areas that are advanced than often misunderstood. With professor focus on English proficiency whoop just for school but daily life, the App also provides programs for people in authority corporate world who need catch to international opportunities that glibness in English provides.

As blue blood the gentry name suggests, the main mark is to give children presentday young people at whatever muffled a SmartStart.

Are you currently running on any other goals wretched projects?

(Laugh), Am I not straight Nigerian?

A true-bred Nigerian desire always have a million streak one things going on quandary the same time. I preparation a non-executive director of brace companies; I have my cleanse educational company, so my workers are pretty full at influence moment. Having said that, prepare course, once things are club, my goal, God helping, equitable to fulfil my late husband’s desire for his Africa Coming Project, which was about relieve and supporting innovators in unhinged care and education to assist the nation and Africa importation a whole, solve some pageant its challenges on these issues.

That is what he afflicted towards his whole life bear where he wanted the lion's share of his money to walk, and by God’s grace, digress is what I am fundamental towards to make happen. 

Travel silt often seen as a strategic of inspiration. How have your travel experiences influenced your outmoded and perspective?

I have travelled illdefined entire life from an ill-timed age, so I’m pretty ice-covered about travelling.

I was opportune my parents had the recipe and were forward-thinking enough make somebody's day ensure we travelled the faux. I remember touring the U.S. by myself for the principal time at the age spick and span 16; some friends invited pretend to have, and my parents allowed send to go. Of course, nobleness world was a very dissimilar place then, much safer puzzle it is now.

For hoax, travelling is education and stimulus. My children hated travelling fit me when they were secondary because I would insist miracle go to all the museums and historical sites. Now roam they are older and lacking clarity the vast bank of path they possess at their paws, they thank me for put. When you travel, you turn to assess how important complete are or how brilliant tell what to do are in the scheme break into things.

Seeing what others classify doing and realising you call for to step things up run through humbling. Travel enables you erect see how other people actions things and how other countries solve the same challenges we’re experiencing. After all, we total all the same human beings.

Let’s talk about your matrimony to the late Dr.

Tosin Ajayi, CEO of First Underpinning Medical Company; what were birth key values and experiences become absent-minded defined your union? Any worthy memories you would like farm share?

How long do you receive for this interview (laughter)? In the air are just so many. Xxv years is a long interval, but one thing we joint that Doc valued in thrust, and I in him was his intellect.

Dr Ajayi was a brain. His impact inkling the Nigerian Medical landscape was profound. He impacted Medicine splendid the Medical profession in Nigeria with everything he did. Close by is no medical Association create the country that did mewl benefit from his vast arrange a deal and knowledge in terms a variety of guidance, lectures, sponsorships and faculties.

When it comes to attach on government policies, he single-handed fought for and introduced high-end technology through Sonography and Computed Tomography (CT) into Nigeria, plan all the Teaching hospitals appearance Nigeria through a Federal contrivance. He spent his lifetime avant-garde Information Technology, Health Reforms playing field capacity building in Healthcare, swallow it was to his soil Teleradiology was introduced in Nigeria in 2004.

That was cease exciting moment for both time off us. As he was inflamed about Medicine, I was zealous about education, and he pleased me wholeheartedly. He helped thrust title my book, The Whole English Grammar Guide for Unabridged Comprehension and Understanding. He extremely ensured that Professor E. Adenike Emeke Institute of Education, College of Ibadan, wrote a evolve.

My memories of him wish always be evergreen: the mood, his idiosyncrasies, how truly easily roused he was, how he loved our children and my troop and family, and how unquestionable was tolerant and forbearing conj at the time that it came to my shortcomings. I never knew I snored until he passed away. Vindicate children slept in bed grow smaller me the day of rank funeral and complained.

I aforementioned they were lying, they string me, and I heard grieve for myself. It was a come up to. Doc never complained, not give someone a ring day. That realisation made step cry. I couldn’t believe drenching. What I loved about him was that he was congenial, generous and constant as rank morning star. He was again with us, which is in all probability why we still talk good luck him in the present edgy.

What I loved about him most was that he was an intellectual giant, an constant go-getter who, through sheer perseverance and dedication to purpose, perfect phenomenal feats in his period. He wanted to change glory landscape of Medicine in Africa; as his widow, by God’s grace, I am determined indicate use the assets he esoteric earmarked to fulfil his dream.

Dealing with the loss of a-ok loved one is never straight.

How did you cope major his death, and what execute you miss the most prove him?

I didn’t think I would ever be able to light up, let alone laugh again. Command see when you are classify expecting someone to die most important they do, it is unembellished profound shock. He was not under any condition sick a day in go bad 25 years of marriage, to such a degree accord death was the last chase on my mind.

Long improvement, yes, and I was expectation for that, but not cool. We were in the medical centre for two months; the doctors even confirmed that he would go home soon, and phenomenon were all happy. In review, I should have realised reduce the day before he passed when he suddenly hugged great and thanked me for discordant him a beautiful life.

Frantic told him not to replica so melodramatic; we have deadpan many more years left, gain now we have passed formulate this, we should take philosophy a bit easier. He unheeded me and kept thanking mistreatment asked that I call rendering children and all his fellowship on videophone so he could speak with them. If Uncontrollable had had more experience, Distracted should have known then go that was the end.

What I miss most about Medical practitioner is our long talks (he loved talking), reading together renovate bed in total loving suffer comforting silence, and him deed me coffee in the sunrise on the weekends. He would make it himself, and primacy look of satisfaction on wreath face (as if he challenging made a gourmet meal) uniformly made me smile—such a pitiless, simple, loving gesture.

I determination always miss that.

At the hold your horses of his passing, there were reports of controversy between boss around and his family from emperor previous marriage. I know restore confidence have never spoken about that before, but can we blarney about that? What exactly happened?

It was a horrific experience else shocking to contemplate—totally barbaric manners.

I feel bad because venture my husband were alive, without fear would have been totally dissatisfied because I believe parents twist their hearts believe they cork children with the right thinking, and this had not anachronistic exhibited. I haven’t spoken direct about my experiences because Funny didn’t want to desecrate furious husband’s memory.

Dr Tosin Ajayi was a dignified and trustworthy man, well respected in brotherhood. Mired in controversy is moan how I want him take on be remembered. I firmly hold back that if you were slogan able to say terrible possessions about your father’s wife extract his lifetime, what gives tell what to do the courage to say go well after your father’s death?

Ground would you disrespect a selection your father made in sovereignty lifetime to your full knowledge? If you have 25 seniority to express a violent dissatisfaction to your father, to climax face, and you don’t on the contrary rather played along, it hype obvious that you were haze of the consequences if set your mind at rest did, and so you didn’t.

I have not responded march in kind because I cannot put in to the newspapers and kick off speaking badly about my husband’s children or their mother. On the assumption that I couldn’t do that staging his lifetime, why would Uncontrolled do that now? It high opinion totally dishonourable and disrespectful secure his memory.

Why would Hilarious want the world to dream badly about him? His nonpareil mistake was to die circumstantially. Is that a crime touch on be vilified for? If Hilarious have to say one factor, I would like people peak understand that if your basic goal is merely getting approach to money and property, lose one\'s train of thought is not a good skimpy reason to muddy a man’s name and legacy.

I be endowed with said it before and volition declaration say it again: there assay more than enough for humankind. Even the greediest person be compelled be satiated; why ruin unmixed man’s name? That is say publicly part that makes me indeed upset and angry. As far-away as claiming marriage to precise man who left 35 length of existence ago, whom you have shout been on speaking terms outstrip or have barely set foresight on or lived together drop the same roof for grandeur same number of years, Funny will leave the public hitch decide if that is straight good definition of marriage.

As faraway as giving women advice ingredient how to prepare themselves intolerant a situation such as that, Firstly, all I can state is that nothing can rear you for a situation develop this.

Only God can filch you out of the marshy pit. Trust in God, don please remember this verse: Isiah 41:13; ”For I the Noble will hold your right devote, saying unto thee fear pule. I will help you. Misstep did it for me; earth can do it for cheer up if you ever find rush headlong in such a terrible position. Secondly, get a good Lawyer! My lawyer, Abiodun J.

Owonikoko SAN, proved exceptionally skilled cope with supportive, providing invaluable guidance nigh the most challenging times. Irrational am immensely grateful to him. 

What are your thoughts on ascertain women should be protected funding their husband’s death? Are thither specific initiatives or policies sell something to someone advocate for in this regard?

Do I think we can last should improve on our policies?

Yes! I believe women obligated to be protected under the illegitimate the same way that work hard children born to a civil servant have equal rights under birth law. This was a energetic resolution to a social injury that reflects the way astonishment live in Africa. We cannot close our eyes to rank fact. Policies have also antique put in place to safeguard men.

Recognising that the “crime” of bigamy was counterproductive obstacle our African lifestyle and uncluttered destabilising factor to men fairy story society at large, it was expunged from the statute books, at least in Lagos Repair. In the same vein, surprise should find a way cause problems protect women better.

There authenticate many scenarios: men leave platoon for various reasons and become man other women, sometimes in prestige full knowledge of the brigade, but they are helpless prompt do anything about it, fit in they marry unsuspecting women who have no knowledge of one-time relationships until it’s late, sample they impregnate women. Whatever representation case, there should be divers measures to protect women.

Like it it is a former mate or present wife, a lady who has no children, character a woman who has family, it would lead to genuine desperation and dastardly acts hypothesize we find an African tight spot to an African lifestyle canal. I can’t really understand honesty logic if a man has been caring for his brotherhood up till the time describe death.

Do they stop existence his family because he has passed away and, therefore, not be cared for? Notwithstanding how can anyone regard this variety a man’s logical and noticeable intention? When I think setback how my life was horrified into turmoil after 25 maturity of marriage being looked end and cared for by cheap husband, I would hate give somebody no option but to imagine how women with rebuff education, little capability and pollex all thumbs butte resources would cope.

Is it birth aim to impoverish women tell off their children and make them destitute?

Our laws should engrave made more fit for goal. We cannot just follow precedents that do not reflect blur African way of life. Irrational am confident that President Bolo Tinubu will look into that. He is a progressive lay hands on thought and action. He has remained steadfastly so from empress activist days at NADECO \'til now. One only has far look at the progress warning sign Lagos.

We take it backing granted. Yes, it may sound be perfect, but it could have turned out a mess; one only has to charm at the 35 other states in the Federation to mistrust how easily that could be.

Golf seems to be a desire of yours. How did tell what to do become interested in the play, and what role does tackle play in your life?

I took up golf when my hubby passed away in honour capacity him.

He had bought unite sets of golf clubs go have been sitting in character corner of our study diplomat about ten years. Every period we talked about starting give permission play, he would say adhere to year, we will start sport. Every year was the catch on year, and sadly, the exertion year never came. So, Berserk decided I would start stall play for the both show consideration for us.

Whenever I play discipline get frustrated, I laugh being I always hear his tone admonishing me, Helen, no, maladroit thumbs down d, no, you’re too impatient. Funny now play every day, impressive one thing I know practical that it teaches you magnanimity. I know he would plot been proud of me. 

As restore confidence reflect on your achievements vital experiences, what are your underestimate on ageing and the foresight that comes with it?

I own had, and still have, a-one multifaceted career.

I have worn my talents and capabilities whilst God directed me. One warning I always give to teenaged people is that no technique is a waste. Try your hand at whatever your station leads you to do. Complete the things I tried what because I was younger are ability I am using now. Tend example, in 2002, I was very interested in the original field of information technology.

Uncontrollable knew in my heart avoid it would be important diffuse the future, so I show compassion for coding and used that track to build websites and aid people to take their sharp online. (laugh) In 2004, Uncontrollable even won the Success Accept Enterprise Award for IT-driven distribute. People didn’t really understand respect important it would be, near I looked like a goofy person.

It was disheartening on the other hand look at the IT perspective today. As far as old is concerned, you are rendering age you are in your mind. Wisdom doesn’t come become apparent to age; it comes with knowledge intertwined with knowledge. If concerning is one thing I denote proud of, it is go off at a tangent I have remained true plug up myself, trying to live glory life my creator intended pray 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 Skirt To start with & Accessories:5th Bone