Rivers

Tears Of Joy As Ex-Sex Worker Weds At OPM

Published

9 years ago

November 16, 2016

As palpable tears of joy flowed freely at the wedding of hitherto Diobu-based sex worker, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has admonished Christians not to look down on any human being, irrespective of their social status, but to encourage all to imbibe good moral values and dedicate themselves to the service of God and humanity.

Chinyere gave the advice while officiating at the wedding of one of the 38 Diobu-based prostitutes, who recently gave their lives to God and were baptized at the church.

While joining the couple in a Holy matrimony at the OPM headquarters in Port Harcourt, the general overseer said that the overflowing tears of joy from the other former 37 sex workers show that God was at work in their lives and would use them to change the destinies of many in the society.

The servant of God said, “I am delighted today in officiating this important wedding because on the day these 38 souls were converted, I told them that if they would only surrender completely to God and repent from their evil ways, God would use the church to provide them comfortable accommodation and viable businesses.

“I also promised that any one of them who will, in the cause of her service to God, find a husband of her choice, both her traditional and white weddings would definitely be bankrolled by the church without hesitation”, Chinyere added.

The general oversee promised to carry out a total rehabilitation and reformation of anyone who freely gave her life to Christ, noting that this marked the fulfillment of the earlier commitments.

The bride, who could not hold her joy said: “Thursday, September 22, 2016, was a day I can never forget in a hurry as it was the day I had personal encounter with the general overseer of OPM in our evil brothel in Diobu, a place where my life would have been ruined ignorantly in prostitution.

“I had listened to so many pastors, preachers, who came around the brothel to preach to me. But Daddy OPM’s own way, pattern and style were totally a different thing altogether, as he did not only preach the raw word of God, but also brought me and my fellow prostitutes out from the devil’s dungeon.

“He has kept to his vow by providing us special accommodation in an estate where he feeds and clothes us. He has also set up life-time businesses for us as we surrendered completely to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

“Today, I am a fulfilled born-again Christian, happily married to a man I truly love to spend the rest of my life with. God is really great to have used His servant, Daddy OPM to rewrite my ugly life story for good. I will ever serve God throughout the rest of my life”, the converted sex worker added.

In his response, the groom said: “I met my wife some years back, but soon lost contact with her. I am not a member of OPM, but came in contact with Daddy OPM after I was able to locate my wife.

“I cannot thank the members of the church enough, especially those whose tithes and offerings were used to fund our wedding. I am grateful to all, and most importantly, to the general overseer of OPM. May God continue to bless and increase him in His wisdom and knowledge as God used him to make our day a remarkable one”.

Rivers

NDLEA Loses Officer, Arrests Six Suspects In Bonny Raid

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been killed during a raid on a notorious drug enclave at Ama Hausa, Bonny Island, Rivers State, while six suspects were arrested.

The agency said a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol, were recovered during the operation.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, the deceased officer, Chief Narcotic Agent, Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries when suspected drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid.

Babafemi explained that despite the violent resistance, the operatives successfully apprehended the six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson.

Other suspects arrested in the strategic operation carried out on Friday, February 6, 2026, were identified as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed, and Muhammed Yusuf.

The agency described the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island as a well-known hub for criminal activities and drug trafficking.

The statement further noted that the operation took a tragic turn when Benson allegedly mobilised armed hoodlums in a bid to evade arrest, leading to a confrontation with NDLEA personnel.

Mujahid was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who carried out the operation.

Marwa said the operatives refused to be intimidated by criminal elements and ensured that the assailants were subdued and the illicit substances confiscated.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command, warning that any attack on NDLEA personnel would attract dire consequences as the agency remains committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.

King Onunwor

Rivers

MOSIEND Seeks Potable Drinking Water In Opobo … Decries Absence Of Hospitals

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Rivers State Government and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, to provide potable drinking water for Opobo Communities.

The Group called on the State Government and Council Chairman to provide an affordable hospital in the area for pregnant mothers to deliver their babies.

The Chairman, Ibani/Opobo Clan, Comrade Favour Obani, and his counterpart in Kalama, Evangelist Anderson Africa, representing MOSIEND Eastern Zone, made this known in a radio programme, “Talk of the Town”, on Rhythm 93.7FM.

On lack of potable drinking water in Opobo, Comrade Favour Obani said Opobo people drink from river and well waters and sometimes buy satchet water from Bori Town for their daily consumption.

She expressed regret that Opobo Town had produced prominent personalities, such as the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, yet lacks potable drinking water and modern hospitals and delivery centres.

Comrade Obani insisted that there is total absence of good governance and government presence in the entire Opobo Communities over the years, despite producing prominent politicians in the state.

On lack of hospitals and maternity in Opobo, Obani said pregnant mothers deliver their babies in untrained traditional birth attendant places which she described as harmful to modern day mothers.

She called on the Opobo Council Chairman, Barr. James James, to build modern market facilities for Opobo women to do business.

“We need empowerment and training of the youths across the communities in Opobo Kingdom”, she stated.

She also decried the absence of filling stations in Opobo, noting that motorists and villagers travel to Bori to buy fuel for their use.

On his part, Comrade Anderson Africa called on Rivers State Government to build shores protection in Opobo Town to protect their fast eroding lands.

According to him, Opobo need shores protection in Queenstown and Kalaibiama to protect the communities from extinction.

On NDDC street light installation in Opobo, Evangelist Africa said the street light is not enough to go round as the community needs more to light-up the communities.

He noted that Opobo Communities did not enjoy electricity during the Christmas celebration as most homes were on darkness.

“We need proper electricity in Opobo, we want to feel the real dividend of good governance and democracy”, he said.

Both Speakers from Opobo Clans blamed their sons and daughters who have held various political offices in the state for the backwardness and under-development witnessed in the communities.

They added that students and pupils in ancient Opobo schools do not have comfortable chairs and desks to write on.

According to them, the only presence of governance in Opobo is the road linking to the Town to Bori.

Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Ariks Air Divert Aircraft From Port Harcourt To Benin

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Following a loud bang heard on the left engine of an Arik Airline, Boeing 737-700, with registration number 5N-MJF, the aircraft from Lagos to Port Harcourt has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on Tuesday morning, was on descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement, saying all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

The statement reads: “Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement said.

The statement assured that Arik Air is committed to continue serving the public with safety consciousness and for ultermost care for passengers.

Enoch Epelle