BACKGROUND
My Name is Ayobola Ipinlaiye.
I was born in the 70s in Kaduna State. I hail from Owobode in
Ekunrin Adde, Ijumu local government area of Kogi State.
I am the third child from a beautiful family of eight children.
EDUCATION
I schooled in Kaduna and Kwara State respectively. I started my primary education at St Annes Primary School before my family relocated to Ilorin, in Kwara State in the late 70s. Following that movement, I then completed my Primary Education at the University of Ilorin Primary School. My first stint of secondary school was Unilorin Secondary School. However, later I had to go to Ilorin Grammar School (IGS) Ilorin for one
year because my parents had to leave Ilorin for sometime. I later finished my secondary school at C&S College, Ilorin in the 90’s.
I got admission into Kwara State Polythenic, Ilorin to study Public Administration where I bagged my OND in 1998.I proceeded to University of Ilorin in 2002 and got my first degree in History in 2006. I also got My PGD in Journalism from Bayero University Kano(BUK) ,Ilorin study Centre in 2021.
CAREER
I worked as a primary school teacher at Confidence Nursery and Primary School,Sawmill ,Ilorin. This is even as I had flare for writing letters. To the admiration of many, I participated in school quiz and debates and loved presentations, especially facing the audience and public speaking. So, when I heard the advertisement over the radio then that Radio Kwara wanted to recruit announcers, I took it up and after series of Interviews,I was among the lucky 10 that got appointment letters then. That was in 1996.
In the year 2001, Kwara Television and Radio Kwara were merged and the general manager then, Hajia Mairo Eyitayo Mustapha, instructed that some of the staff of Radio Kwara should also be working at KWTV. My Head of presentation,then,Mr.Ayokanmi Osinlu posted Deji Orija and my humble self there to be announcers.
I also worked in the production unit of the state radio station. I presented and produced “Your Health”,”Schools Challenge” and I was also “The Focal Officer for UNICEF”. I birthed a non governmental organisations – Help Women Foundation in the Year 2020.
MENTOR
There are lots of them.They have in one way or the other contributed positively in helping me in my life and career.
First is my late darling father, Pa Ayodele Ayoola Ipinlaiye, a very caring, intelligent kind hearted,very strict man who was a giver to a fault.
Second is my nother, Mrs.Ebun Ayo Ipinlaiye. Her hardwork, strong will,determination and commitment is second to none and she does not believe in impossibility.I took all that from her.
Others are; Mr.Ayokanmi Osinlu,who was the Head of Presentation(HOP) of Radio Kwara,
Chief (Mrs) Moji Makanjuola, who worked and retired from the Nigerian Television Authority ( NTA ). I followed her so well and have learnt a great deal from her.
Another of my mentor is Mrs.Tina Olaoye who is a very strict thorough woman with a good heart.
Alhaji Saadu Salahu, a veteran journalist and public relations expert is also someone who encouraged me to be up and doing and never to relent; he’s highly intelligent. There is virtually no aspect of life that he is not well informed about. He is a pusher,I give it to him.
Jimoh Taofiq is the president of my foundation.He’s the brain behind Help Women Foundation and other achievements in my life despite his young age.I can’t trade him for anything in This World.
Mr. Fatai Olayiwola Akanji who helps encouraging me and letting me know how to go about my job and life in general.
INSPIRATION
God Almighty is my all in all
Without him, I would have remained a nobody. If God were not with me,I would have been long gone. Also,my late dad,his deeds and prayers are all working for me.
FEARS
I don’t want my children to suffer. I don’t want the poor women I am helping to suffer. I have learnt so much in the hard way.This life is not balanced, people are different,our hearts are different.I do t want to loose any of my children while I am alive.
ANY REGRET
That I lost my father early.
CHALLENGES
My challenge is mainly funding. I look forward to a time that I would be able to get lots and lots of international donations, collaborations and fundings to take care of the less privileged and train them on how to maintain whatever empowerments they are giving.
I also look forward to giving my children the best of life.
HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS
I am not different because we are all from God.I would say I am a giver.I love helping people even extra ordinarily. I am a very selfless person and I don’t think of all my own needs before I give.I derive so much joy seeing other people happy. I smile a lot, eat a lot and I can go out of my way for anyone especially for the needy and helpless.I don’t like seeing people suffer or in pains.
I hate seeing women beaten,violated and cheated;
reason I founded Help Women Foundation. The foundation has empowered over 50 women with money; Kwara north women who make sheabutter, the physically challenged women who do small businesses,beggars,rainfall victims. We also distributed lots of food items to the poor women as well engaged in medical outreaches across the 16 LGAs in Kwara State.
We gave out crutches and wheelchairs to women who can’t walk and canes for the blind.
BALANCING FAMILY AND CAREER
As a mother,it is not so easy for me.I bless God that gave me wonderful children.As a single mother, I do all my best to meet up withtheir needs, not wants and I play dual role in their lives. My last child is in the boarding school and I do a lot of checks on her and I make sure she does not lack her basic needs. I have good communication with my adorables’ so they don’t hide things from me and they also help suggest things they feel I should do, dedpite being so young.
God has been so good to me in that aspect and I can’t thank Him enough.
ADVICE TO FELLOW WOMEN
I would tell women to stand tall,don’t ever be idle,let’s support one another. let’s stop the “bring her down syndrome” .
Let’s celebrate one another,let’s also support the homes by bringing additional values to our homes. Men cannot do it alone. Let’s speak out when a woman is being violated. Women should take good care of their family, especially the children. Let us show kindness, love and help to fellow women.
God should be first in whatever we do.
