Progress Abisola
CULLED FROM NEWSHERETHERE MAGAZINE
Society has continued to realise the positive impact of a girl child . This is just as advocacy for gender development is gaining momentum .Sensitization and enlightenment have exposed the natural endowment possessed by Girl child which if properly harnessed would benefit the society as a whole.
Evidence abounds as numerous Nigerian Girl Child metamorphosed into substance and value, making great impacts not only in their immediate environment but far and beyond the country.
Activities metamorphosed Girl Child is not limited to humanitarian and philanthropic gestures to the vulnerable but also include intellectual capabilities cum professional and leadership capacities that fit them into elated positions that demand vibrant performances for human and national growth.
No wonder! they are in all sectors – Oil and Gas ,Law, Media, Business, Mines, Energy , Land and Seaport, Medical, Agriculture, Aviation and many more with landmark victories and successes in their areas of endeavours.
For instance,the metamorphosis of Dr. Tokunbo Ajila-Jakande has been of immense benefit not only to the womenfolk but the generality. Her contributions to societal growth cut across different areas of humanity This is just as she continues to be an exemplary model not only to the girl child but the younger generation at large.
Born on December 5, in the early 70’s into the families of James Babalola from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital. Ajila-Jakande had her secondary education at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary, Lagos state.
She served at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC where she was part of the seismic interpretation project of the CHAD Basin in Bornu state.
She has also worked in various oil and gas companies within and outside the country. Her expertise in IT provided her opportunity to work with AT&T as a specialist in applications.
Her passion for environment and climate change fetched her opportunity to emerge as the Director General,DG Green Energy Society of Nigeria (GESON).
Ajila-Jakande harnessed her position as DG GESON to make meaningful contributions to the nation’s growth . She was part of team that drafted the Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette on Bio fuels. The team also attracted foreign investors who proposed and implemented some Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects such in some state capitals. Her office promoted the use of efficient fuel stoves in Nigeria to lessen the demand for firewood and drastically cut down of CO2 produced.
Ajila-Jakande was part of the team that secured 10,000 hectares of land at Ilemeso Ekiti for biofuels project and proposed a micro-hydro in Itapaji, Ekiti.
She is currently a director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety agency NIMASA. She’s also the Board Chairman of Ekiti Sports Development Trust Funds
Her Philanthropic gesture!
On May 27th,2016, Ajila-Jakande founded Tokunbo Ajila Jakande (TAJ) Children Foundation. The initiative she selflessly established to drive her passion to the vulnerables. Activities of TAJ Foundation include and not limited to education scholarship, care for widows and the aged, community development, such as Children’s day celebrations, GCE/Jamb tutouring, movie shows, street lightning, borehole drilling, distribution of palliatives etc.
Her membership in several professional associations and social clubs has influenced her contribution to human development in the country.
Her words:” I have been doing a lot of programmes on community development primarily focusing on women/children. I’m a spontaneous person, once I hear issues that concern women and children. I ensure I get it solved.
For instance, just recently, I heard about a school without water or sanitary wares on igirigiri road in Ado-Ekiti. The road which houses my foundation house was recently constructed by the governor and this opened up the area and made the school visible.
“The school was established in 1976. it has no water or toilet.
“Ordinarily , someone else will procrastinate, but I went there with my team for an assessment and was amazed at the size of the compound. It can house a secondary school and other amenities.
“I called few friends who promised to drill a borehole and build some toilets.
The government cannot be everywhere, the community leaders should be the eyes and ears of the government.
All I need from anyone who is a lover of Ado Ekiti is to identify the needs of a community and inform me. I will try my best to amplify the situation to the government if I can’t do it on my own.
On Women occupying leadership position and the proposed bill for reservation of seats for women, she said:”Regarding the proposed bill for reservation of seats for women, it’s a welcome development. I remember in 2011 when Patience Jonathan was the first lady of Nigeria, she advocated for it. I attended a programme then in Abuja , where she spoke about making sure at least 35 percent of the seats are given to women
Mummy Remi is also on it and i trust she will make it happen. So it’s a welcome development which I’m following.
We all know that women have been short changed, meanwhile, on election day , it us women who are most in line and stay till the end of voting . You see the elderly women with their umbrellas come rain or shine to vote.
“So if women can sacrifice their time and energy to vote, why can’t we get an automatic, may be , 35 percent seats? We also know that women focus on nation building.
Tokunbo Ajila-Jakande stands as a significant evidence of transformation and role model to the girl child. An inspiring leader and unwavering advocate of a better society .
Ajila-Jakande is a woman of high places that signals optimism with natural endowment for human development . A paragon of value beyond imagination.
God bless the Ado-Ekiti born exceptional lady who metamorphosed into a global brand
Blessed be the day she was born.