•List Of Committee Members Revealed
Late Ibidunni Ighodalo may be dead, but she is definitely not forgotten as her last wish which she had few minutes before her last breath will be fulfilled. What is that wish you may ask? It is her dream to make 40 waiting mothers become mothers at her 40th birthday as she revealed she doesn’t want to have a party.
In her last text message which she sent to TY Bello it read that “Sweetie, it’s my 40th next month and I want to help 40 couples to have their babies. What do you think? That’s all I want. No party, no surprise, nothing. I just want to make 40 homes happy,” the text reads.
The celebrity photographer said that the message revealed the selflessness of the late philanthropist even in death.
Well, Nigeria’s waiting mothers can now smile as late Ibidun Ighodalo’s husband, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, has told waiting mothers that her wife’s wish will never go unfulfilled despite her death as more couples who need reproductive intervention through in Vitro Fertilisation IVF, a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm outside the body, can now heave a sigh of relief as Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation, (IIF) has planned to grant 40 couples the opportunity to become parents.
Ordinarily, the process which “involves monitoring and stimulating a woman’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a liquid in a laboratory” costs about N3 million per treatment, according to experts but Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation is footing the bill for 40 Nigerian couples in dire need of this reproductive intervention but cannot afford it.
This was the last wish of Ibidunni Ighodalo to assist 40 Nigerian couples as a gesture to mark her 40th birthday which was slated for July, 19.
The Chairman of “The board of IIF (Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation) Pastor Ituah Ighodalo speaking during the launch of the initiative, said “We understand the emotional, psychological and financial strain that comes with pursuing fertility treatments and having gone through that pain herself, Ibidunni in her lifetime made it her life’s work to help desiring but struggling parents; we are committed to Ibidunni’s vision to give joy and keep hope alive.
Since her demise, IIF has enlarged and strengthened its board, governance structures have been put in place all in a bid to ensure capacity to deliver on her last wish and more. A transparent application and selection process has been put in place and we actively seek the support of everyone to keep this dream alive.
What does it entail to qualify for the offer? To qualify for the assistance, the couple must apply online to avoid interface. Couple must ensure evidence of legal marriage for five years without a child, the couple must show evidence that they cannot ordinarily afford the cost of IVF on their own, evidence of income to sustain the incoming baby, the couple must be responsible, and the lady must be below 50 years of age.
There are also other conditions such as the healthiness of the couple. The foundation will apply all the conditions including non- liability agreement on any major issues that may arise after treatment. Interested applicants and donors are encouraged to visit the foundation’s website www.ibidunni foundation.org.
The Executive Secretary of the foundation, Adedayo Richard also added that the annual activities the foundation was known for will continue, – The flagship IVF annual grants, the mothers in waiting conference, the babies day out, hospital visits amongst many others. IIF, also known for its advocacy against stigmatization will continue their active sensitization programs, he said.
Meet the board of the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation.
One of the board members is Mrs. Titilola Joyce Adewale Adenuga (Board of Trustees). Mrs. Titilola Joyce Adewale Adenuga graduated from the University of Ife, Ile – Ife. Oyo State with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Studies.
She is a seasoned administrator with past work experience in Devcom Merchant Bank Ltd, Equitorial Trust Bank Ltd amongst many others.
She currently sits on the board of Caring Parents Foundation – an NGO that provides support to the educational advancement and development of children with special needs.
She is the CEO of Tijay Enterprises, and Seta Investments Ltd. Another member of the board is Mrs. Bola Okolie (Board of Trustees ).
Mrs Bola Okolie, an astute businesswoman, is a graduate of International Relations Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife.
Mrs. Bola Okolie is the CEO of Bonix Drinks, a company that has become a household name in the events business sector in Nigeria, with over 22 years of experience. Her company, Bonix Drinks, caters for the service of drinks at big parties and corporate events. Bola Okolie, a super-energetic woman has built her outfit into that which not only handles all the big events in Nigeria, but also for top Nigerians outside the country. The disruptor and innovator, Mrs. Bola Okolie pioneered many ideas that have now become a trend in the drinks service business in Nigeria, and role model for many women. She has attended many international seminars and trainings in USA, South Africa, Paris, U.K, Canada, United Emirates to mention a few,
which have impacted positively on her business. She is a devout Christian who is greatly committed to bettering the lives of the people around her. This highly revered woman in business is married to Mr. Bernard Okolie.
Dr. Adewunmi Adeyemi-Bero (Board of Trustees), Dr. Adewunmi Adeyemi-Bero MBCH.BAO (National University of Ireland) MRCOG (Member Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the U.K. FWACS (Fellow West African College of Surgeons).
Member European Society of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology. Member Society of Gynaecologists of Nigeria. Vice President the Association of Fertility and Reproductive Health of Nigeria. The Medical Director of The Roding Medical Centre and Reproductive Centre. Chairman The Roding Healthcare Ltd. An Alumnus of the Lagos business school. He’s a keen Lawn Tennis player, golfer and motorboat enthusiast. He is married with two children.
Dr. Alero Ajayi (Board of Trustees)
Dr. Alero Ajayi is the Director of Programmes at the Healthcare Leadership Academy, a not-forprofit organisation that develops the leadership and governance capacity of healthcare
professionals across Africa.
In this role, she leads a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, academics, and industry experts to design and deliver context-specific training programmes for all cadres of healthcare workers from clinicians to policymakers; forges strategic partnerships with local, regional, and global organisations to achieve impact; and, oversees the organisation’s operations.
She is a seasoned facilitator and mentor and through her role with the Healthcare
Leadership Academy has partnered with governments to develop and strengthen their health systems’ capacity to deliver on ambitious targets that positively transform the lives of citizens.
Alero is a physician of good standing with over a decade of experience in clinical practice and public health gained both locally and internationally.
She holds both a First Class Honours Degree in Immunology and a Bachelor’s of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Edinburgh. She is a member of the Royal College of Physicians (London), and completed her post-graduate core medical training at the Imperial College Hospitals NHS Trust and the North West London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
She has co-authored several articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics related to immunology, haematology, and public health, and has spoken at multiple international conferences on topics related to leadership and quality improvement in healthcare.
Alero joined the Board of Trustees of the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation in June 2020.
– Abiola Orisile
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