Rivers

6,000 Graduate From OPM Free Graduate Scheme

Published

10 years ago

January 8, 2016

OPM General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere (right), commissioning the second phase of the renovation of 12-classroom block computer centre with internet facilities and corpers house in Ukwuorie Comprehensive Secondary School, Ohanku, recently.

No fewer than 6,000 per
sons have benefitted from Omega Power Ministry’s (OPM) Free School Graduates Scheme in Oil and Gas since its four years of existence.
The General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, disclosed this recently at the commissioning of the second phase of the renovation of 12-Classroom Block, Computer Centre with Internet facilities and Corpers’ House in Ikwuorie Comprehensive Secondary School.
He said many of the beneficiaries who were trained at a pilot centre located at Circular Road, Elekahia in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had since set up their own oil and gas businesses while several others had also secured employment with reputable firms.
The man of God noted that beneficiaries cut across religious denominations with good number of them Muslims.
Apostle Chinyere further revealed that the scheme which was being bank rolled by the OPM Foundation, also included free training in Computer, driving school, boutique, restaurant as well as a free nursery, Primary and Secondary school in both Rivers and Abia States.
He hinged the secret of OPM’s success on the stoic Obedience to God’s commandment and urged leaders of other Churches to follow suit, stressing that, that was the reason why God established the Church on earth.
The cleric criticized Churches that established academic and other training institutions and made them unaffordable for the poor, describing the practice as tragic contradiction of the tenets of Christianity.
“The underlining truth is that each time we do these, God blesses our members immensely. As God blesses them, they in turn give offerings and pay their tithes. It becomes possible to execute these free training schemes while also reaching out to the poor and need in our Churches and the larger society”, he said.
The general overseer said the Church embarked on the project with the conviction that education remains the bedrock of the development.
He urged the students to make good use of the structures and facilities in the school and urged the people to protect the project and guide against vandalism.
Earlier, the Principal of Ikwuorie Comprehensive Secondary School, Dr. Sophie Chikwere Nnadozie, praised the OPM leader for the laudable project, stressing that by his effort, he had turned the structure which was once abandoned and dilapidated into a model one.
She said, “any investment in education is a rightly placed priority which will affect generations yet unborn. Posterity will uphold the indelible foot print of this our magnanimous son”.
Also speaking, the Iyieruba 1 of Ndoki land, His Royal Highness, Eze Nwankwo and his counterpart from Ujuru Autonomous Community, Eze Joshua Okwuonu Dagbor described Apostle Chinyere as a worthy son sent by God to bless Ndoki land.
The high point of the event was the presentation of New year gifts to the staff and pupils of OPM free nursery and primary schools, widows, chiefs, Ezes and staff of Ikwuorie Comprehensive Secondary School.

Chris Oluoh

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor