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Praise (Okunade) Ayowole is a dedicated healthcare professional, leader, and advocate for youth and community empowerment. As the co-founder of JP Foundation International (JPFI), a nonprofit organization established in 2020, she plays a pivotal role in creating impactful initiatives that address education, healthcare, and economic disparities, empowering African youth and adolescents to realize their full potential.
With a solid background in nursing and public health, Praise has led and contributed to transformative programs, including health education campaigns, free screenings, and initiatives targeting underserved youth and young populations. Her work has raised awareness of critical health issues, providing vulnerable communities with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their health.
Praise’s dedication to youth and adolescent health is evident in her academic and research endeavors. Among other studies, her thesis on low back pain among nursing students examined its prevalence and contributing factors, emphasizing the need for solutions to improve their well-being. She also co-authored a paper on cross-generational sexual relations (CGSR) that explored the public health impacts of generational sexual dynamics on young individuals, focusing on the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV and the occurrence of intimate partner violence.
Beyond JPFI, Praise has demonstrated a strong commitment to youth and adolescent empowerment through various volunteer roles and community outreach initiatives. She has contributed to health programs providing free screenings, counseling, and health education in underserved communities, orphanages, and schools. Her involvement with organizations like the One Voice Initiative for Women and Children Emancipation (OVIWCE) and the Community Service Initiative (CSI) highlights her dedication to promoting health awareness and addressing key social issues such as menstrual hygiene, drug abuse, and suicide prevention.
Praise has also demonstrated strong leadership through various roles, including Vice President of the All Nigeria United Nations Students and Youth Association (ANUNSA), Parliamentarian for the Nursing Science Students Representative Body (NSSRB) in the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association (NUNSA) at OAU, and Team Lead for SDG Activity Group 6 at ANUNSA. Her leadership extends to her two-term position as a Board Member of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Abeokuta. She has actively engaged in initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on poverty eradication (SDG 1), health and well-being (SDG 3), economic empowerment (SDG 8), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17), advancing these global goals through outreach and community programs.
As a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Praise advocates for equitable healthcare, with a particular focus on underserved populations. She is passionate about empowering young people with knowledge and autonomy over their physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health.
Praise’s ultimate goal is to create sustainable systems that address health and social inequities, empowering individuals and communities to thrive. She believes that through collaboration, innovation, and commitment, Africa’s youth can drive change and shape a future of limitless possibilities.
With her visionary leadership, Praise continues to lead initiatives that inspire transformation, build resilient communities, and drive JPFI’s mission to empower African communities to reach their full potential.