The UK-based Chukwuka John Foundation (CJF) has partnered with the Home for the Needy Foundation, based in Uhogua, Edo State, to identify and support talented children among internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Founder of the Home for the Needy Foundation, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. He explained that the CJF, which collaborates with various organizations in sports, entertainment, and education, was drawn to the Foundation’s work and visited to assess the children’s potential.
“They filmed and recorded our children showcasing their talents in areas like football, basketball, volleyball, and more, with plans to share the footage with key contacts in the UK,” Folorunsho said.
He noted that the children’s talent exceeded the CJF’s expectations, particularly in sports such as badminton, tennis, and archery. “They were impressed and couldn’t believe the level of skill they saw, wondering who trained these children,” he added.
Folorunsho, who was recently recognized with two awards—the ‘Best Most Outstanding Humanitarian Personality of the Year’ and ‘Doctor of Humanitarian Fellow’—by the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSD), expressed pride in the children’s performances.
He highlighted that the Home for the Needy Foundation provides accommodation for over 4,000 IDPs, with clusters in Abuja and nearby states. The Foundation is currently seeking land in Abuja to create a more permanent space for the IDPs, where they can live, study, and develop their skills.
“We want to replicate the success we’ve had in Edo State here in Abuja, providing education and a nurturing environment for these children,” Folorunsho stated, appealing for assistance to achieve this goal.
Daniela Pilih and Teresa Jacob, representatives from the International Christian Centre in Germany, visited the Foundation and praised its efforts. “We are here to support the incredible work being done and to encourage the children to stay focused on their education despite the challenges they face,” Pilih said.
Dr. Ali Marcus, a recent medical graduate from Edo University, Iyamho, who joined the Home for the Needy Foundation after losing his family to insurgency in Borno, expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s support. “Without the humanitarian spirit of the founder, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said, commending the founder’s recent awards.
Similarly, Asanawa Ghide, a 400-level Law student, praised Folorunsho’s selflessness, adding, “Only God can truly reward the sacrifices he has made for the IDPs.”
