Healthcare and philanthropic leaders have rallied behind efforts to expand access to fertility treatment and improve care for vulnerable newborns, as stakeholders gathered for the formal launch of the Joyce Ojemudia Foundation (JOF) in Lagos.
Among the champions were Stella Okoli, managing director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited; Titilola Adeleke, first lady of Osun State; Peter Atuma, chairman of Princeps Credit Limited; and Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, MD of REX Insurance Limited. They joined others in supporting JOF’s mission to help underprivileged couples access fertility treatments and strengthen neonatal care in hospitals.
Speaking at the launch at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the leaders highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address infertility, maternal health challenges, and the high risks faced by premature and critically ill newborns in Nigeria. The message was clear, with community and institutional support, the dream of parenthood and healthier beginnings for newborns can become a reality for many Nigerian families.
Titilola Adeleke said, “As a mother and someone invested in family well-being, I understand the hopes and silent struggles couples face. Foundations like JOF can do incredible work, but lasting change happens when communities come together. Each act of support, through time, resources, or voice can transform a life and give hope where it is needed most.”
Stella Okoli highlighted JOF’s eight-year impact: “From supporting successful IVF treatments for underprivileged couples to donating essential equipment like incubators and phototherapy units and earning commendations from the Lagos State Government the Foundation’s work exemplifies compassion in action.”
She emphasized that these achievements represent restored hope for families, healthier infants, and stronger maternal outcomes, addressing critical gaps in healthcare. Okoli also reaffirmed Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries’ commitment to supporting JOF through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Joyce Ojemudia, founder of JOF, shared her personal journey of resilience through infertility and loss: “My journey involved 26 years of waiting, six surgeries, and six miscarriages, during which I had to bury four boys and two girls. I also went through thirteen IVF attempts. But at the appointed time, God, the One who makes all things beautiful in His time came through for me.”
Ojemudia explained how her experiences inspired JOF’s mission to support couples seeking medical care, provide neonatal equipment to hospitals, and assist vulnerable children with education.
She recounted a pivotal moment: “Someone very close to me delivered a preterm baby who was left without proper care. My husband and I prayed and insisted the baby be transferred to another hospital. By God’s grace, the baby survived and is now eleven years old.”
The Foundation has since expanded its work, donating neonatal equipment, providing educational scholarships, and supporting couples through IVF. Ojemudia highlighted a milestone: “By the grace of God, the foundation welcomed its first baby born through a sponsored IVF treatment. That baby was not just a child; it was evidence of hope and living proof that faith can produce tangible miracles.”
Recognising the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges couples face, JOF launched a quarterly program, “Babies Born Through Faith,” offering spiritual encouragement, medical guidance, community support, and testimony sharing to inspire hope.
Concluding Ojemudia said, “According to the World Health Organization, one in every six adults globally experiences infertility. Behind every statistic is a family carrying deep pain and longing. This is why we are seeking your partnership and support to reach more families, save more babies, and give children a chance at life.”
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