A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), The Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF), geared towards reducing the infertility rate among couples has announced the commencement of the third cycle of In vitro fertilisation (IVF) grant termed Project 40at40 amidst high success rate in the two previous cycles.
Project 40at40 was born upon the demise of the Late Mrs. Ibidunni Olajumoke Ituah-Ighodalo whose birthday wish was to give 40 couples, 40 IVF grants on her 40th birthday.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, an elated Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Ituah Ighodala, said that the Foundation recorded the birth of nine babies including a set of triplets in its maiden cycle, 2020-2021.
In its second outing, 2021-2022, which is still in progress, he said that the Foundation had recorded nine pregnancies, with four couples still undergoing treatment and new birth in June last month.
Ighodalo said that the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF) grant was set up to ensure that those dreams become a reality through giving couples in waiting the chance to become parents by assisted reproduction, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments.
“The foundation, in collaboration with renowned fertility medical partners had administered IVF treatments to 80 recipients since inception. Beneficiaries of the first and second cycle have resulted in 10 babies thus far with many others currently undergoing their gestation period,” he said.
Appealing to donors from all and sundry, Pastor Ighodalo regretted that the cost of treatment keeps escalating every day.
“Currently we spend about N2 million to treat a couple while on the average annually; we spend between N100m-N120m.
“We will like to offer 40 couples the opportunity to go through the treatment in this third cycle as in previous cycles but the reality is that we may not be able to do up to 40 except we get enough financial assistance,” adding that the success of the last two cycles, was made possible by the generous donations and support of well- meaning people, corporations and partners,” he said.
According to the Chairman of the Foundation, being able to help people, support and give them hope was the driving force of the initiative. He also announced the foundation’s new initiatives ‘Ibidunni Life Store’ and ‘Ibidunni Ighodalo Entrepreneurial Network’, a mentoring and digital learning platform for the young to inspire, engage and equip aspiring entrepreneurs on self-leadership, entrepreneurship, and the benefits of creating wealth the right way.
The Executive Secretary of the foundation, Grace Ogunniyi speaking about the registration confirmed that the portal would be open on the 19th of July, she also made a clarion call for support.
“We are hoping to have more babies from the 2021 set and for this new cycle, we’ll like people to also partner with us financially and we are grateful to those who have supported us so far,” she concluded.
On the major challenges the project has encountered since inception, the Secretary of the Foundation said besides funds, that the challenges include acceptance of egg/sperm donors, distance for those outside Lagos State, age limit of 54 years and lackadaisical attitude towards medication on the part of some participants.
This initiative is a posthumous realization of the founder’s wish with her husband, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo championing the cause to ensure that his late wife’s dream is fulfilled. The project, in its third year, customarily commences on Ibidunni’s posthumous birthday anniversary – the 19th of July 2022.