A former Miss Nigeria, Helen Prest-Ajayi, was a Special Guest at the Youth Arise Football Academy (YAFA) Abuja recently to campaign against illiteracy in Nigeria.
With the support of Bank of Nevis International, the 1979 winner of Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant distributed one of her books entitled “The Complete English Grammar Guide” to players of the academy.
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The granddaughter of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Chief Arthur Prest and daughter of a politician, Chief Michael Godwin Prest, said illiteracy is a time-bomb that must be tackled immediately by all well-meaning Nigerians.
Consequently, Helen and other mothers engaged in a kick-about with the children to practically demonstrate how illiteracy must be kicked out of the country without further delay.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Prest-Ajayi who is a Lawyer, publisher, writer, Literacy Advocate and Author said the importance of good grammar and basic English can’t be over-emphasised.
She also maintained that the gesture was her own way of giving back to society.
Mrs Prest-Ajayi also stressed on the need to catch young talents at early ages as she said it would go a long way in harnessing their potential to the fullest.
“Hanging out with youths at YAFA Abuja, kicking illiteracy out of Nigeria, talking to them about the importance of good grammar and Basic English was quite special,” the ex-beauty queen posted on her Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the President and Technical Director of YAFA, Olayinka Olagbemiro, thanked Mrs Helen Prest-Ajayi for the kind gesture and her passion to kick illiteracy out of Nigeria.
The former junior international also emphasised on the need for young footballers to always strive to combine football with education for a more prosperous future.
