News

45 OPM Scholarship Beneficiaries Depart For Turkey

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2020

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

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor