Renewed Hope For Pregnant Teenage Girls, As Tolu Taiwo Launches T1FF

Reported by Adediwura and Ayooluwa

After 22 years of traumatic experience as a survivor of teenage pregnancy, Amb. Tolu Taiwo has officially launched the Twenty-One Five Child Foundation (T1FF), which aims to provide necessary support services for pregnant teenage girls and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and to prevent future occurrences through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

The launching occurred on Tuesday at the De Signature Hotel and Suites, Jericho, Ibadan.

Tolu Taiwo, while delivering her speech, recounted her experience as a victim of early pregnancy, which was set up with an alcoholic drink, and got pregnant at the age of 18. After being disowned by her parents, she vowed to redirect the energy of her trying period, which inspired the T1FF.

“Today, I feel like I have just been delivered of another bouncing healthy baby. But I must admit the nostalgic feeling of the events that surrounded the arrival of my first child; Boluwatife, 22 years ago. It is his birthday today. That trying period of my life which is now in the annals of memory, inspired the establishment of the organization that we are launching today; T1FF.

“In life, there are people whose negative life experiences have made them bitter individuals and, there are others who vowed to redirect the energy from such experiences towards positive ventures. They see such circumstances as a divine spur to serve humanity and to make this world a better place. I belong to the latter category.

“T1FF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for pregnant teenage category girls and combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria. This is a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a journey towards a brighter and safer future for the vulnerable members of our society. In line with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘Inspire Inclusion’, our vision is to alleviate the sufferings (physical and mental) often meted out on teenage pregnant girls in our society. Not only that, we also aim to pragmatically work towards ensuring a drastic reduction of such cases through education and stakeholders’ engagement,” said Tolu Taiwo.

She also appreciated some of the people who have helped her through her journey.

“I take a special recognition to the people who helped me through my journey that have now left us to the great beyond; Chief R.S.M. Esan (SAN), Mrs Ronke Dehinsilu, and of course, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON (The former Governor of Ondo State). May I humbly ask that we stand for a minute to honour their memory. To my dad and my mum, thank you very much. Her Excellency, Alhaja Sarat Adeola Adesina, Mr Tunji Lam-Adesina, and others,” She concluded.

The keynote speaker and legal adviser of Oyo State Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Miss Olabisi Omotola Olugbodi, spoke on the role of law in preventing and addressing teenage pregnancy. Further, the National Human Rights Act is made to ensure the well-being of people in society. Additionally, there are several laws in the constitution that make provisions to protect women and children against gender-based crimes and violence.

Also speaking at the launch, Mr. Promise Ihenze, a staff of T1FF, highlighted the mission and vision of the organization, “Our mission is clear: to provide necessary support services for pregnant teenage girls and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and to work tirelessly to prevent future occurrences through education, advocacy, and community engagement”.

Also, at the event includes the Former First Lady of Oyo State, Alhaja Sarat Adesina; Hon. Ayotunde Olatokun from Oyo State House of Assembly; Mr. Ogunjimi representing Mrs Toyin Balogun, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion; Mr. Taiwo Adisa, former Chief press secretary to Oyo State governor and chief editor at Nigerian Tribune and other Crème de la crème in and outside Oyo State.