Echoes of Mercy & Hope Foundation (EMHF) is a Christian ministry that is committed to giving a hope and a future to young and destitute girls aged 12 to 17 years. EMHF provides a safe and nurturing home for these girls; the homeless, the abused, and those living the aftermath of their wrong choices.
At EMHF, we work within the tenure that these females are in the home, engage them in various transformational activities which will engender healing and re-integrate them with their families and society. It is our prime objective, that our transformational activities would empower the girls with a better stance to face the challenges of the future.
The majority of the members of our NGO (EMHF ) have graciously volunteered their time while a few are reimbursed for their work. Regardless of this fact, all have decided to intervene to change the course of direction of these young girls from a hopeless life to a redeemed life in Christ Jesus.
Echoes of Mercy Hope Foundation, is a non governmental Organisation registered in Nigeria (NO 51770) by the Corporate Affairs Commission of Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 12th Aprill 2012.
WHO WE ARE
Our Structure
On the 24th of November 1991, Fola Soyebo had an experience that would change the course of her life – she had a real life conversion and gave her life to Jesus. Since then Fola has been consumed and driven by a passion to touch and make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2006, Fola co-founded with Mrs. Ibi Fabyan, “Rev3v20” – an evangelism and healing outreach to hospitals in Lagos,Nigeria. They regularly visit hospitals, pray for the sick, and pay for hospital treatment of patients when necessary. It was while carrying out this assignment that Fola became increasingly aware of the plight of the destitute and with the help of other concerned individuals they were able to provide accommodation for two families. With encouragement from her pastor – Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, Fola became burdened to intervene in the lives of the less fortunate. Wanting to do more she decided to focus on the homeless particularly young females.These experience gave birth to “Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation (EMHF) in May 2012.
MRS. FOLA SOYEBO (Founder/President.)
Mrs. Fola Soyebo is a chartered surveyor by profession and an associate of the Royal Institute of chartered surveyors and valuers of England and Wales, and the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. She is happily married to Mr. Jimi Soyebo, a renowned architect, and they are blessed with four beautiful children.
PASTOR TAIWO ODUKOYA
Patron/Advisory.
Taiwo Odukoya is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, a ministry with a mission to provide a home for the lost; guide those in search of direction, purpose and calling; and raise a people who are committed to making a difference.From its humble beginning in 1992, The Fountain of Life Church is today a network of ministries within Nigeria and abroad. He is the host of Discovery for Men, Discovery for Women, The Woman Leader, and Ruth and Boaz biannual meetings that reach out to thousands of men and women from all walks of life and denominations. His messages centre on leadership development, as well as building successful relationships and enterprises. Pastor Taiwo is an avid believer in the role of the church in the socio-economic life of the nations, and this is clearly expressed in his various social initiatives of The Fountain of Life Church. Among them are Grace Springs Rehabilitation Home, The Hope Centre and The Borehole Project.
OLUJIMI SOYEBO (TRUSTEE)
Mr. Jimi started his architectural career in 1984 when he worked as an intern architect in the reputable architecture practice of Harwood K. Smith & Partners, Dallas, Texas, USA. Here he gained valuable experience in the design and development of commercial properties with special emphasis on corporate office building for reputable developers such as Trammell-Crow Developments Inc. And Lincoln Property Company, both of Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Jimi holds a first degree (honors) in Town Planning (University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria), and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Houston, Texas.
He is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects. He holds the position of Principal Partner with SAS Space Design.
He is also passionate about helping the needy and destitute hence his total support to this vision.
He is married to Mrs. Fola Soyebo, the pioneer of this vision and they are blessed with 3 children.
APOSTLE JOHN EBEGBUNA (TRUSTEE)
Apostle John Ebegbuna is the founding president of Firebrand International Gospel Missions and General Overseer of Tree of Life International Churches. A man of God indeed with a passion and mandate to reach the world with the fire of the Holy Spirit. A man of intense passion to raising leaders and the next generals. He has raised multiple Christian leaders through the help of the Holy Spirit. It is never a dull moment with him.
REV. STELLA EBEGBUNA (TRUSTEE)
Rev. Stella Ebegbuna (fondly called Pastor Stella by many) is a Church planter, international conference speaker and founder of Women of Purpose International Network, and global Co-Pastor of Tree of Life International Churches. A woman of a great God and Creator.
Rev. Stella has years of global ministerial experiences under her belt and deep spiritual insight and relentlessly pushes the need to see Jesus birth in the heart of those who come in contact with her. Her motto is; “till Christ be birth in you.” Galatians 4:19.
MRS. EME AKENZUA (TRUSTEE)
(World class milliner and hat designer)
A seasoned entrepreneur with over 2 decades of practical business experience in the UK and Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.
Founder of the renowned upscale millinery business, “JOHN 3V3 HATS in 1991. She also founded the JOHN 3V3 School of Fashion and Etiquette which is a first World Class Fashion School in Nigeria.
Eme Akenzua is an avid supporter and advocate of the under privileged child. She considers herself privileged to be one of the founding members of the Heritage Homes Orphanage where she has served as it’s managing trustees and project coordinator since inception in 2004.
She also finds fulfillment in assisting young entrepreneurs and counselling childless couples and often accepts invitation to talk with people in these two categories.
Eme is married with a child.
MRS. ANNE MARIE OBIKOYA (TRUSTEE)
Anne Marie Obikoya holds a B.Sc Sociology from Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York. Has over 20 years in Human Resource, office administration and has worked in the legal, consulting and education industry. Anne assists and coordinates the administrative duties at Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation. She has a passion for helping the needy. A Christian yearning to know Christ intimately. Blessed with two children
TOKE SOYEBO (TRUSTEE)
Toke Soyebo, CPA holds a Masters and Bachelors in Accounting and is currently pursuing her MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.
She has almost a decade worth of experience leading operations in high-growth startups, advising country leaders on development and social issues including gender mainstreaming, and deploying venture capital into fast- growing tech businesses.
She is the Christian Business leader on campus and is spearheading a Christian MBA retreat with leading schools across the United States. She is passionate about gender mainstreaming and supporting young females in achieving their God- ordained destinies.
DCN. JAMES FAJUYIGBE (TRUSTEE)
ESV (Dcn) Fajuyigbe James was born on the 14th day of July 1972, He attended United Methodist Primary School and Ebenezer Grammar School, both in Ijeda-Ijesa Osun State. He also attended Osun State College of Technology Esa-Oke where he obtained his first degree (HND in Estate Management). He is an Associate Member of The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuer also a registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer under the umbrella of Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON). A Pastor in Charge of a Parish at The Redeemed Christian Church of God. He is a member of many other social and spiritual organizations . He is Married to Mrs Fajuyigbe Comfort and the marriage is blessed with Children.
Mrs. Funmi Oladute (TRUSTEE)