Meet Josiah Jackson-Okesola
My Story
Hello!
I am a UK-licensed and practicing professional mental health nurse clinician, multi-award-winning nurse innovator, extraordinary global nursing leader and advocate, digital media broadcaster, nurse mentor and coach, and public speaker originally from Nigeria, West Africa.
Over the years, my undying passion for re-branding the battered image of the nursing profession in Africa drove me to orchestrate, convene and coordinate various nursing advocacy projects in conjunction with projects by the United Nations; World Heart Federation (WHF) and the Nursing Now Global Campaign. In recognition of my contribution in the field of nursing and health advocacy, I earned my first international award in 2013 from the highest global nursing body, the International Council of Nurses, Geneva, Switzerland.
"Jayjay", as I am fondly called by friends and colleagues, holds the advanced qualification of Masters Practitioner in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Psychotherapy; with expertise in Result Technologies, Hypnosis and Neurological Re-patterning for Addictive Habits. I have been certified as a Peer Health Educator by UNICEF; certified as a Marriage Mentor and Relationship Coach by The Institute of Marriage and Family Affairs (TIMFA, USA); bagged International Award in Delivering Training from the London Professional Training Center; and also had a certification in Leadership & Management in Healthcare from Washington University.
In 2015, I went back to broadcasting school to fulfil my childhood dream of becoming a professional Media Broadcaster & Journalist. On graduation from the Grajos Institute of Broadcasting, I took my passion for re-branding the image of Nursing to an unprecedented level, working with an outstanding team of highly talented but young nurses to establish “Nurses on Air”, the first ever nurse-led radio broadcasting and nursing advocacy hub in the history of Africa nursing.
I invented the African Nurses TV, a first of its kind online digital media storytelling innovation for showcasing and celebrating the work of African nurses.
His public speaking ability and digital media prowess has earned him unlimited appearances on national and international media featuring on radio, TV,, print media and international podcasts.
In 2014, I founded a non-profit health advocacy organization, Inspired Nurses Network Africa. Also founded, The African Nurse Network, both initiatives empowering nurses and midwives and driving support and investment in the nursing and healthcare professions.
In 2019, I led a team of tech and media savvy nurses to win the most prestigious national award in the field of healthcare - the highly revered Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIP-uWGKHJ8
As a result of my volunteering service in nursing advocacy and social impact, and unrelenting pursuit in raising the profile and status of nurses within Africa, I earn a global appointment to coordinate the Nursing Now Global Campaign for Nigeria.
Between 2018 and 2020, In 2018, I earned a global appointment to coordinate the Nursing Now Global Campaign for Nigeria.
Nursing Now is 3-year campaign driven by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and World Health Organization (WHO) with the sole aim of raising the profile and status of Nurses across the world.
I collaborated with national and international healthcare leaders to plan and execute the celebration of the 2020 Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, and the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale in the year 2020 with the aim of raising the profile and status of nurses and midwives in Nigeria.
In January 2020, I received an international award from America’s foremost nurse-led media organization – The Truth About Nursing Decade Awards, an award which earned me a coveted seat in the organization’s leadership table, becoming the second African to be appointed as a member of the Advisory Panel for “The Truth About Nursing” U.S.A
In 2021, I awon a scholarship to study NursePreneurship and Innovation at Drexel University, U.S.A, helping me to reposition for a career transition into the tech innovation field.
Following a series of heartbreaking encounters as an immigrant after my relocation to the United Kingdom, I consolidated efforts towards flagging off an international media project that would support the career and life journeys of potential emigrants and newly arriving immigrants.
In 2022, I set up an international online radio/TV hub focused on providing psycho-social support for immigrants. The radio station is now broadcasting live online via www.japacity.co.uk
I am happily married to my best friend and lover, Queen Okesola, a UK-based Mental Health Nurse and Practice Educator, and we are blessed with kids aged 19, 17 and 12.
In December 2020, we both celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and are now working on diaspora-led project that is focused on leveraging digital technology to bridge knowledge and skill gaps back home in Africa.
Looking to establish a flourishing career in the tech field, I embarked on a career transition journey from full clinical and healthcare practice to the EdTech innovation field.
I am currently back in school, leveraging on my 22-year experience in the healthcare industry to pursue a MBA with Diploma in Education Management and Leadership at the London School of International Business.