IDP: Caring for the vulnerable, underprivileged, the world will one day come thank us – Pst. Solomon Abumere Folorunsho

• Asserts, we have a harvest of graduates in different disciplines 

Home for the Needy Foundation, Uhogua, Benin in Edo State is a centre which cares for thousands of the vulnerable; internally displaced persons, poor persons, orphans, widows, and even the physically challenged.

On New Year’s day; 1 January, 2026, our managing editor, Kingsley Abavo had an exclusive chat with the leadership of the Home, pastor Solomon Abumere Folorunsho who is the Chief Executive Officer. He reviewed the past year 2025, in terms of achievement, constraints and challenges, then projected into the journey of the year 2026; setting new goals and aspirations. Pst. Folorunsho did not forget to appreciate everyone who has been part of the journey; giving the much desired support, financially, physically and otherwise. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, he passionately appealed for the continued support particularly in the funding of the education of the children of the Home, and feeding. As he laments not having the connection with the necessary personalities and government at all levels, to influence gainful employment for University graduates the Home has produced over the years, who he said are roaming the employment market. “By the grace of God, the Home for the Needy Foundation has produced a lot of University graduates; human capital but languishing in the employment market because I do not have the connection with the necessary personalities, and government at all levels to fix them. I plead here that the government and the private sector should have a first look here when employing qualified hands.”

Looking back at 2025

The immediate past year has been very tough for us here; in the area of good health care, adequate feeding, and particularly funding for the education of those in school, no food to eat, no money to pay their fees, buy books, and provide all the necessary needs. It was so bad to the extent that some of them were not allowed to write their exams because of inability to pay fees; as the funds were not available and many who were supposed to graduate last year could not.

But in the midst of that we had those who graduated; over 50 of them from various higher institutions; Ekiti State University, Enugu, Edo State University, Iyamho, Ahmadu Bello University, in fact, we had great harvest of University graduates in different fields; we had six medical doctors last year, we have several lawyers, so we are very grateful to God.

In spite of the challenges; academically, the children excelled and in December, God heard our cry; our distinguished Senator Adams Oshiomhole graciously provided food, and money for ingredients to cook it and that is what we are still eating. Also, we have been praying to God let the Governor know that we are here, and he graciously provided foodstuff and that is what we have been eating. Now, it is our prayers that God brings more people to provide all the other needs.You can see everywhere is calm, the children are happy and as today, no child is hungry. But we want this to be sustained. After the next few weeks in January, what happens? So the children are hopeful that the God who used the Governor, his deputy, Oshiomhole and everyone, will use them again and raise others.

So this is how it has been and the children are praying, Lord God we don’t want the hardship of last year, this year we want to be able to go to school, come back home, no hunger because the children here are determined.

I tell you, the world will one day come thank us for what we have done in the lives of these children!

Pointing to a young man sitting with us, Pst. Folorunsho asserts; look at this young man here, he just graduated as an accountant from the University of Benin. Imagine this one working in the bank or anywhere else, I can assure you, he will not use a pen to steal money because we have taught him the fear of God and love for humanity. So, this is where we are today.

Amos Iyshaku, one of the first set of University graduates from the Home for the Needy, Uhogua now a PhD student in the U.S.A on scholarship 

Speaking on the total number of University graduates the Home has produced, Pst Folorunsho aptly said: they are already above 180! Some are working already, Amos, one of the first University graduates from the Home, is doing his doctorate degree course in the University of ILLinois, Chicago, U.S.A, there are lawyers, with one employed by the Edo State government as a Senior State Counsel, and another a Chief magistrate, even medical Doctors; they are 11 now.They are gradually finding their place in the society, we have several who work here as teachers pro-bono (free, without pay) while many are in the labour market in search of job.

Finding job for the many unemployed graduates of the Home, Pst Folorunsho said he would really appreciate anyone who could help connect it with government, and the private sector. “While I work as a caregiver, I don’t know how I can really reach these people. That is my challenge. I would need help to reach the government and these institutions.”

Health Challenges 

Our health centre handles it via donations from various quarters but there are certain things they can’t handle because of the population, then we have to go to the hospital. For example, there was a case of a convulsing child in critical condition in the dead of the night which took us round seven hospitals including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) without being attended until we got to the Faith Medical centre on Airport road. This is one of the kinds of health challenges we get here for which we need help.

Those who have graduated and moved on; how are they giving back?

The few who are working, from their meagre earnings even when it is not enough for their upkeep, they manage to squeeze something for the Home. While others who work here; particularly those who teaches are not being paid. They are just sacrificing. What they do, is just giving the knowledge they have acquired. It is our belief and faith that as they grow and spread out, they will certainly remember this place and contribute their quota of support.

Projection in 2026

I am hopeful that if Christ tarries, there would be a good change. As the prices of Foodstuffs drop, we are hopeful that we should be able to have the purchasing power to buy, and we are hoping that those who God has blessed in this country will be kind towards those who are in need like the people in our Centre, care for them, pay their school fees. Like the children who have not written their exams or have not been able to graduate; all they just want, is pay our fees and we will come back to serve you. So, I am hoping that things would change in that aspect; that is for our Centre then for this country, that it will be safe for everyone to be able to do all we want to do.