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45 OPM Scholarship Beneficiaries Depart For Turkey

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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

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Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.

By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi

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Okafor, Eminent Nigerians Celebrate Osagwe-Ogo At 70

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Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.

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Fubara Commended For Sustaining Peace In Rivers As Sirawoo Receives Democracy Day Recognition

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.

By: Jessica Sambol

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