By Rextun Boss
In the predominantly Islamic cultured Ilorin society, combining the roles of wife, mother, extended family membership, civil service administration, and non-profit organization proprietorship, takes the possession of an inner strength which is not commonly found.
Bolajoko Zainab Balogun PhD. Carries on these listed roles admirably, and has not been found wanting in any of the many sides to her personality.
Who is Dr Bolajoko Zainab Balogun?
Bolajoko Zainab Balogun is of the Ilorin Emirate extraction, an identity she proudly flaunts and will go miles to preserve the honour. She would typically join in every event, occasion or celebration of the Emirate within the limits of the dutiful wife she is.
Dr. Zainab Balogun can rightly be described as bred in Ilorin, lives in Ilorin and lives for making the Ilorin Emirate greater and more prestigious.
Her early education in Ilorin, up until she obtained a Master’s Degree at the University of Ilorin, ensured that she was the home bred Emirate lady. She opted for Doctorate studies at the University of Victoria, Canada, which produced the exotic blend of ‘an Ilorin Emirate Lady, with the foreign education icing on the cake of her sound education’.
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And recently, the city of Ilorin witnessed a gathering of personalities, captains of industries, all gathered to celebrate another milestone achievement of Zainab Balogun.
The public book presentation and launching of her book, titled: Safeguarding the GirlChild against societal vices.
The book couldn’t have come at a better time. A period when emphasis must shift to giving our girl child the needed attention, as our way of re-engineering our almost totally decadent society. Dr Bolajoko Zainab Balogun sought to use the instrumentality of her book, to promote the welfare of the girl child, who are the mothers of tomorrow, the keepers of the family tomorrow and ultimately the keepers of our society tomorrow.
Do I need to add? that such books which are legacies, are only borne of experiences that are not too uncommon, but only found in the possession of people whose lifelong endeavors had been devoted to the development of the youth in the society.
Her Experiences at Youth Development.
Bolajoko Zainab Balogun PhD, has over three decades of experience in the education and youth development sector of the public life of Kwara State.
Because she is a lady with several facets to her endeavors, she could be described again as a trailblazer in Education, Youth, and Community development. She rose to become a Deputy Director at the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
She has since moved on, having served meritoriously, and completed the mandatory retirement years. But those who know her, are quick to point out that she is far from tired. She is like the proverbial vintage wine, getting better with the passage of time.
Zainab Balogun again, is a consumate learner. Tirelessly seeking to engage in research and learning processes. She has several contributions to educational policies, programs and published research works.
Her Community Development Efforts
Dr Bolajoko Zainab Balogun founded the
Bazarab Educational Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization based in Kwara State.
The non-profit organization was borne out of her passion for service and Community development. She therefore dedicated the activities of Bazarab to advancing gender equality, empowering women, and protecting the vulnerable groups, through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Zainab Balogun has over the years been very vocal in Efforts to Combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV). With Bazarab Educational Foundation, She has led several grassroots campaigns towards the many causes.
She made the hashtag #RapersAreKillers popular. The essence was to raise awareness about rape and GBV. She is known to have partnered with community leaders, law enforcement, and women’s groups to strengthen protection systems against gender based violence.
Zainab organizes periodic Sensitization programs to educate communities on preventive measures, legal redress, and survivor support. And her organization has always been ready to give needed support to the victims.
Girl Child Education Anti-Trafficking Advocacy
Whatever it is that has stood between the girl child and a fulfilling life, has always been taken as a challenge by the relentless advocate for reforms in Zainab.
She designed an Educational Support Program to sponsor girls’ schooling across Kwara’s local governments. She believes in breaking the barriers to accessing education through this means.
Her membership of the NACTA (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Partners) gave her and the non-profit organization the needed leverage to combat trafficking of women and girls for forced labor and exploitation.
As she continues to stay poised to take on challenges to community development, Zainab seek every opportunity to bring up her fellow women, a life challenge she willingly faces.
Dr Bolajoko Zainab Balogun is happily married, and blessed with children.
