News
45 OPM Scholarship Beneficiaries Depart For Turkey
No fewer than 45 beneficiaries of the Omega Power Ministries (OPM) undergraduate scholarship programme for undergraduate students, last Saturday, departed the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, for Turkey, to pursue various degree programmes for a duration of four years.
This brings to 65 the number of beneficiaries so far sponsored by the church to study in Turkey, as 20 of the scholars had in the early part of this year, travelled to the country for a similar purpose.
Interestingly, most of the beneficiaries are children of less privileged Nigerians, drawn from diverse backgrounds across the country.
Among those who benefited from the scholarship scheme this time around included, a 17-year-old rape victim, Mary Joseph; the son of one of the Ikoku 4 and victim of police brutality in Port Harcourt, last year, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Onyekwere; the daughter of a former cultist, Prisca Onum Omachi; and an orphan, Redemption Pepple, whose parents died, last year in Etche Local Government Area in the course of fasting for 21 days; among others.
The visibly elated beneficiaries, who were all resplendent in white track suits designed with sky-blue stripes and pairs of white canvas shoes to match, thanked the General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, not only for the gesture but for also transforming their lives and those of the poor and the down-trodden in the society.
Chinyere told The Tide in an interview that the significance of the scholarship gesture is that it was intended to transform people’s lives, adding that “if you pick one person and transform the person’s life, you would have ultimately transformed the lives of 100 people at the end of the day”.
He said the motivating factor for all that he has been doing was Jesus Christ, pointing out that the current beneficiaries have already been fully enrolled in three universities in Turkey.
On his part, the President of OPM Divine Distributors, Chief Matt Offeh, said God has sown a seed of human kindness in Chinyere, adding that he has a rare passion for giving selflessly to the less-privileged.
He said the church was targeting to empower 500 persons educationally from now to the end of the year, adding that the church was going to send some professionals to Poland and the United Kingdom in due course to work.
Some of the parents and family members of the beneficiaries, who thronged the airport to bid their wards farewell, shed tears of joy, while others were seen hugging them, and urging them not to betray the trust and confidence reposed in them by virtue of bagging the scholarship awards.
The experiences of some of the beneficiaries, which they narrated to The Tide, before they met Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, were as pathetic as they were harrowing.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Redemption Pepple, who hails from Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, said that she lost her parents within a space of one month, last year.
Redemption, who is going to Turkey to study Visual Communication Design, said her sister was currently living with the man of God.
Another beneficiary, Mary Joseph, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, said she was raped in Oyigbo, and thereafter became pregnant.
According to her, she delivered twins, two boys in August last year at the OPM free hospital.
On her part, her mother, Miriam Joseph, said she and her daughter were living in an uncompleted building in Oyigbo, where the latter was raped, having lost her husband in 2016.
Also, the father of one of the beneficiaries, Bright, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Onyekwere was full of praise, and thanked Chinyere for transforming his life.
Onyekwere, who was accompanied by his wife, said he was currently not working because of the injuries he sustained in the police cell, in spite of having seven children to cater for.
By: Donatus Ebi
The 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) and conference of the Rivers/Bayelsa states chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has come to a close with a strong call for both states to drive the blue economy.
The communique just issued after the AGM pointed to what it called emerging prospects in fish processing, seaweed cultivation, ship repair, and marine technology.
The communique which also mentioned human capital gaps that must be filled through technical and vocational training that are aligned with modern industrial needs, said the blue economy represents a viable pathway for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
It said MAN and Arican Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) have the capacity to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy sustainably and inclusively, but said the region required dedicated infrastructure upgrades, including roads, waterways, and power.
The communique was signed by Vincent Okuku (Chairman of Rivers/Bayelsa States Branch); Michael Nosa Agana (Branch Vice Chairman/Chairman AGM planning Committee); and Chibuzor Eze (Executive Secretary, Rivers/Bayelsa States Branch).
The resolutions said the future of the Niger Delta economy lies in diversification rather than dependence on extractive industries. “Technology and innovation, value addition and local processing, strategic infrastructure, and a skilled workforce are essential pillars for the future of manufacturing in the region.
“Governments in the region must intensify support for manufacturing activities. Various forms of collaboration across sectors should be actively encouraged.”
It specifically advised Bayelsa and Rivers States to fully develop and harness the blue economy as strategic gateways for sustainable growth; and called for cross-border partnerships with neighbouring states to enhance trade, security, and environmental management.”
The Rivers/Bayelsa States branch of MAN held its first (41st) AGM outside Port Harcourt for the first time, hosted by Bayelsa State Government at the Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, with the theme: ‘Trade, Technology, and the Future of Manufacturing in the Niger Delta.’
In his welcome address, the chairman of the branch, Okuku, commended the Bayelsa State Government under the leadership of Gov Douye Diri for its efforts in industrial development, investment promotion, and strong partnership with the private sector.
He also acknowledged the Rivers State Government for its commitment to rehabilitating industrial clusters, improving access roads, and delivering key infrastructure.
He, however, expressed concern over persistent challenges such as high energy costs, unreliable electricity supply, weak transport systems, rising logistics expenses, multiple taxes and levies, inconsistent regulatory frameworks, and pressure from host communities, which continue to hinder manufacturing growth in both states.
The President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, noted that the Niger Delta, with its abundant resources and strategic location, holds vast potential for industrial expansion. He called for policy frameworks that promote local manufacturing, enhance trade, and attract investments to the region.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, represented by Wasa Festus, Director of Community Development and Education. Another goodwill message was also presented by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Ebieri Jones.
In his remarks, Gov Diri praised MAN for its contributions to Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, noting its resilience, innovation, and strategic role in national development. He stated that the conference theme aligns with his administration’s mantra of “Assured Prosperity.”
Gov Diri offered 24-hour service to manufacturers wishing to relocate to the state, and highlighted the State’s ongoing transformation through deliberate investment in infrastructure, security, and human capital aimed at positioning Bayelsa State as a hub for industrial growth, particularly in the blue economy, agriculture, and manufacturing.
He further noted that hosting the 41st AGM fulfilled a long-desired aspiration of the State following the successful 2024 MAN event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He officially declared the exhibition open.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has alerted the public to a fraudulent message circulating online, claiming that the NELFUND Student Loan Registration Portal is open.
The message directs applicants to a third-party link (http://gvly.xyz/Nelfund-Student-Loan, which NELFUND confirms is unauthorised and fraudulent.
In a post obtained from its X handle, yesterday, NELFUND urged students and the general public not to click on the link or provide any personal information, emphasising that the official loan registration portal is only accessible through the Fund’s verified channels.
The agency reminded applicants to exercise caution online and to report any suspicious links or communications claiming to be from NELFUND.
“Applicants are encouraged to always verify official announcements via NELFUND’s official website and social media channels,” NELFUND said.
This advisory comes as part of NELFUND’s ongoing efforts to safeguard students and ensure the integrity of the student loan application process.
-
Business5 days ago‘Entrepreneurs, Not Foreign Aid Drive Nigeria’s Growth’
-
Health5 days ago
Nch Technical Session Reviews 35 Memos …Sets Stage For Council Deliberations
-
Politics5 days agoOsun 2026: INEC Challenges Political Parties On Lawful Primaries
-
News5 days ago
Eastern Port Police Boss Promises On Crime-Free Operations
-
Business5 days ago
FG Set To Launch Free National Financial Literacy Training For 100,000 Youths,
-
Health5 days ago
Lagos Trains Health Workers On Handling SGBV Cases
-
Politics5 days ago
Makarfi Resigns As PDP BoT Secretary
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
FRSC Begins Free Vehicle Safety Checks In A’Ibom