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OPM Set To Sponsor 50 Students On Scholarship In Cyprus

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Buoyed by the compelling need to give the less privileged in the society, especially young people a sense of belonging and a brighter future, the Omega Power Ministries (OPM) has set machinery in motion to sponsor another set of 50 students on scholarship in universities in Cyprus.
The 50 lucky beneficiaries were selected at random, and are currently undertaking documentations, preparatory for the trip.
Among them are two former security guards of Chicken Republic, an eatery in Aba, Abia State, who were recently relieved of their duties for dancing on duty. Another lad, one Caleb, who highlighted the plight of the duo on social media, is also selected to accompany the Cyprus-bound young men and women on the trip to study Computer Science.
The General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, who gave this indication in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the 50 selected students would be heading to Cyprus to study courses of their choice in various universities in the country.
He hinted that the church was targeting to sponsor 500 students on foreign scholarship this year, contending that the church spends millions of naira annually on such ventures.
According to him, over 2,000 students have so far benefitted from OPM’s foreign scholarship programmes and are either currently studying or working in several countries of the world.
Chinyere further disclosed that his recent trip abroad to enroll 15 other beneficiaries was successful, as a German company volunteered to partner with the church on its free school programme in Nigeria, and added that all the beneficiaries of the church’s foreign scholarship he visited during the trip in Dubai, Turkey and other countries were doing fine with their studies.
Commenting on the former security guards of Chicken Republic, who are billed to travel to Cyprus on scholarship, the General Overseer said he decided to include them in the programme because, going by their ages, they were too young to work as security guards instead of rather furthering their education.
He said it was not as if he was supporting workers who dance on duty instead of taking their jobs seriously but that the victims actually needed to go to school to improve themselves educationally.
It would be recalled that the duo, Mathew Precious Kelechi is 18 years old while his colleague, Johnson Ifeanyichukwu is 19 years old.
In an interview with The Tide, they thanked Apostle Chinyere for the gesture, and promised not to disappoint him.
The General Overseer urged the people of the world, particularly in the larger society to imbibe the spirit of always sharing little kindness.
The Tide gathered that Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, on Monday at his residence in Port Harcourt presented a cheque of N1 million to a young man, Charles Samuel for winning a monthly competition organised for those residing with the General Overseer.
Also, parents of beneficiaries of OPM scholarship in Turkey, among other members of the church, last Friday thronged the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to welcome the General Overseer back home after spending three weeks abroad. They sang and danced while awaiting the arrival of the man of God.

By: Donatus Ebi

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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