BOLANLE: ALIIWO AMAZON MAKING AMAZING WAVES IN U.K

 

Rashidat Bolanle Hassan- Fassan, senior mental health nurse, certified psychopharmacology and physical health provider, qualified independent non-medical/supplementary prescriber, and expert clinical supervisor, is an accomplished and celebrated medical practitioner whose tremendous contribution to the development of primary mental health in the United Kingdom cannot be underestimated.

Self-driven, hardworking, proactive and focused, Bolanle with an experience of over two decades, has worked in different psychiatric settings both in primary and secondary care services and in various capacities, one of which is as a member of the pioneering team that set up the Mid Essex Crisis Resolution Service and current member of Mid and South Essex Transformation Thurrock and Brentwood Complex Care.

She offers consultation, training and advice to professionals and agencies in relation to client care, management of complex cases and service development and currently manages part of Mid Essex General Practitioners while undertaking an Msc in Health care Leadership Academy as part of ECA (Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Program) at the University of Birmingham.

Bolanle holds a mentor qualification from City University and a certificate for a module on leadership and management changes from the same university. She also holds certifications from the University of Essex, Middlesex University and one of the nation's foremost institutions, Obafemi Awolowo University.

A highly cerebral and outstanding career woman, her resourceful attribute and astute sense of business came into play as Managing Director of Royal China Wares which was into importation and distribution of china wares. A business she ran successfully for years before leaving the shores of the country in Year 2000.

Interestingly, despite her long sojourn in the White man's land, Bolanle has never been disconnected from her roots quite unlike many Nigerians and Yorubas who hide their identities because they lack the positivity and self-assurance that comes with a sense of filiation. She flaunts her identity where ever she finds herself, as a full blooded member of the Yoruba race and proud daughter of Olalokiki section of Aliiwo political and traditional dynasty in Ibadan.

Her busy schedule notwithstanding, indefatigable Bolanle plays very crucial and impactful roles in all Yoruba sociocultural groups of which she is a member among which is Aliiwo in Diaspora Association U.K chapter, where she is the financial secretary.

Her hand of generosity stretches beyond family members and friends to the underprivileged whose families are unknown to her. It has become a ritual to this woman with a heart of gold to, whenever she visits the homeland, spare some time to visit the Homes for the indigent where she presents special packages to the occupants.

Her predisposition to being her brother’s keeper, a character trait she had demonstrated from her youthful days, had earned her various gracious appellations; Aunty Agba, Iya Gbogbo, Iya Meto, Iya Awon Omo, Iya Rere.

In a recent interview, she said she enjoys a special sense of relevance and fulfillment when she reaches out to the needy. "Giving to others is also my special way of appreciating Almighty God for His benevolence to me," she once told a close associate.

She is also a great mentor with a long history of mentorship and a long list of mentees who, through her guidance, have ascended the ladder of success in various fields of endeavor and hold enviable positions both in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

Kudos to this woman of honor. A pride to womanhood, nationhood and the diasporans.

Certainly, Ibadan needs this gracious, ebullient, brave, virtuous and amiable daughter of Aliiwo in its traditional system. May Almighty God continue to strengthen her.