Rivers

OPM Marks World Down Syndrome Day In Style …Preaches Inclusion, Non-Discrimination

Published

5 years ago

March 23, 2022

The Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Worldwide, joined the rest of the world, on Monday to celebrate the World Down Syndrome Day to actually draw attention to children born with the condition, with a view to creating awareness on their plight, particularly in Rivers State.
As a way of truly marking the day and giving it meaning, the church organised and packaged a special programme at its Free Special School for Children Born with Autism and Down Syndrome in Umuakpu-Rukpokwu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State, with the General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere; the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku; and other personalities in attendance.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s event, which is “Inclusion Means…”, Apostle Chinyere and Prof. Ebeku, stepped out in grand style and danced with the children, wriggling their bodies and waists in ecstasy to the admiration of those present. The special way the General Overseer in particular stooped and danced with the children drew thunderous applause from the audience, who were mostly parents of the victims, amid laughter and jocularity. The children and their teachers wore special T-shirts designed specifically for the event.
The crowning moment, however, came when a handful of normal children, decked in their school uniforms, drawn from OPM Free School, presented the famous. “We Are One” rendition to their physically challenged counterparts, assuring them that like the rest of humanity, they were not supposed to be treated less than other human beings by circumstances of their birth, and telling them in essence that they had indeed not been forgotten by the society, as epitomised by all that OPM is doing for them.
As captured by the presentation, the reality of this assurance is underscored by the sheer fact that OPM itself through the uncommon magnanimity of the General Overseer had deemed it necessary to establish on January 11,2021 a special school for them where they are provided educational materials and among other items free of charge.
Another strong point about these special children is the fact that some of them, through the tutelage of their teachers, who the General Overseer described as core professionals and God-sent, are now able to do what they were not able to do before now.
Cakes, weavons, among other items made by them were actually displayed and exhibited at the event.
To crown it all, a special cake was also cut by the children alongside the General Overseer; Prof. Ebeku; among other dignitaries, to mark the day, while a popular radio presenter in Port Harcourt, Mr. Akas Baba anchored the proceedings.
In his remarks, Apostle Chinyere gave reasons for establishing the free special school in the first place, hinting that children of the wealthy, with similar conditions were privileged to be sponsored in special schools by their rich parents unlike the poor children who were more or less sent to public schools, where ordinarily they could not blend.
The General Overseer further noted that he decided to site the special school in the same environment with a regular school for the purpose of inclusion, a situation where, according to him, physically challenged children could conveniently blend and interact with normal children.
Chinyere stressed the need for the society not to discriminate against children born with autism and down syndrome because, according to him, they are created by God, adding that everything created by God is good and beautiful.
He disclosed that within 90 days, he was going to establish a department where persons with autism would be employed so that multinational companies would borrow a cue, to drive home the point that disability is not limitation.
Chinyere was full of praises for teachers in the special school whom he said were given adequate incentives to effectively do their work, contending that persons with disabilities actually needed to be accepted by the society instead of being seen as a curse.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku thanked Apostle Chinyere and the OPM Foundation for complementing the state government’s efforts in anchoring free schools and special schools in the State, describing the General Overseer as an icon of education. He said it was an act of great respect for the man of God that he personally decided to grace the occasion.
He said the state government is always happy with organisations that help to promote the process of governance, stressing that the government has spent a lot of money to revamp and reactivate special schools in the state.
“What Apostle Chibuzor is doing is to complement that effort. This is practical Christianity,” he said.
Ebeku also condemned in strong terms discrimination against persons with disabilities, which he said violates the Constitution of the country, and stressed the need for inclusion.
The Principal of the OPM Free Special School, Mr. Idoh Francis said the vision of the church is to alleviate the sufferings of parents and make the society a better place for all, and commended the General Overseer for the bold initiative of establishing the special school where both the regular pupils are playing together with the physically challenged ones.
In her welcome address, the OPM Director of Schools and Welfare, Dr (Mrs) Maureen Chukwu said the church is the only organisation running a free school for children born with autism and down syndrome, and commended the General Overseer for all that he is doing for mankind, describing him as the icon of quality free education.
She further hinted that the special school only recruited teachers with cognate experience in special children care, contending that the school believes in the synergy between teachings, extra-curricular activities and medical attention as well as prayers/spiritual impartations from the General Overseer in order to bring out the best from pupils.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

Don Seeks Repositioning Of Tech Education For Dev

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

A Professor of Industrial Technical Education (Mechanical Technology Option) at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State, Professor John Ajike Uduma Uka, has called for the repositioning of Technical Education as a central pillar of national development.
Speaking on Thursday, at the University Auditorium, while delivering the 87th Inaugural Lecture titled, “Surgical Analysis of the Ills of Nigeria’s Technical Education Sector: Towards a Healing Process”, the Inaugural Lecturer noted that revitalizing Nigeria’s Technical Education system is not merely an educational priority but a national imperative.
He stated that a well-functioning Technical Education sector has the potential to bridge the skills gap, reduce unemployment, stimulate industrial growth and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
Professor Uka emphasized that the healing process for Nigeria’s Technical Education sector requires coordinated reforms by the Federal Government, State Governments, educational institutions, industries, regulatory agencies, development partners and communities.
He explained that the sector stands at a critical crossroads, with its current state reflecting deep-seated structural inefficiencies and long-standing systemic neglect.
Despite its strategic importance in driving industrialization, employment generation and technological advancement, the sector continues to underperform due to a combination of policy inconsistency, inadequate funding, weak industry linkages and persistent negative societal perceptions.
The 87th Inaugural Lecturer said the challenges facing Technical Education in Nigeria are not isolated but deeply interconnected.
“As such, addressing them requires more than superficial interventions; it demands a holistic and sustained reform approach”, he said.
According to him, strengthening institutional capacity, modernizing curricula, enhancing industry collaboration and improving regulatory effectiveness through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) are essential steps towards restoring the credibility and functionality of the sector.
He highlighted the importance of shifting societal attitudes and recognising Technical Education as a viable and valuable pathway to economic empowerment, noting that without such reorientation, even the most well-designed policies may fail to achieve their intended impact.
He recommended, among others, increased and sustained funding for technical education, upgrading of technical facilities and learning environments, strengthening industry-institution collaboration, modernization of the TVET curriculum, promotion of competency-based assessment, strengthening of the NBTE, promotion of entrepreneurship and self-reliance, and improvement of students’ perception of technical education.
Uka also recommended strengthening quality assurance and institutional accountability, expansion of digital transformation, enhancement of research, innovation and technology development, addressing regional and gender disparities, and strengthening policy implementation.
He stressed that if these recommendations are implemented with political will, adequate funding, stakeholder collaboration and rigorous monitoring, technical education can become a powerful engine room for industrialization, employment creation, technological innovation, poverty reduction and sustainable national development.
He concluded that a healthy technical education system is indispensable to building the skilled workforce required for Nigeria to compete effectively in the 21st-century global economy.
Declaring the event open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education and Head, Ndele Campus, Professor Isaac Ogundu, lauded the 87th Inaugural Lecturer, who he described as a seasoned scholar, for exposing the ills of technical education.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government to establish a Ministry of Vocational and Technical Education to give TVET a wider range and reach.
On his part, the Registrar of IAUE, Professor Chinonye Abraham Ajie, expressed appreciation to the 87th Inaugural Lecturer for holding the audience spellbound with his presentation and expressed hope that the essence of the lecture would be internalized by all.
In a vote of thanks, Professor TamunodienyeNkechiMba expressed gratitude to all who found time to grace the occasion.

Rivers

Obolo Lawyers Fault Inadequate Representation In Legal Structure

Published

5 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

Obolo Lawyers Forum, an association of legal practitioners of Obolo extraction has frown at the inadequate representation of Obolo indigenes in the Rivers State legal structure.
Newly elected Chairman of the forum, Wilson Oke, who raised the concern shortly after his election in Port Harcourt, said with over 170 lawyers of Obolo extraction practicing in the state, Obolo lawyers are yet to gain sufficient recognition within the State legal structure.
He said out of approximately 50 judges in Rivers State, only one is from the Obolo extraction, while the nation currently has no magistrate in the State.
Oke pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to address the situation by ensuring that Obolo lawyers receive better representation and opportunities within the State’s legal system.
He also identified infrastructural gap as a major developmental challenge facing the Obolo nation, adding that the Obolo Nation remains backward in terms of infrastructural development.
The new chairman assured that he would utilise his three-year tenure to collaborate with politicians and other critical stakeholders to attract development to the area.
“We have discussed and we have agreed there is need for us to work in synergy to ensure that Obolo is developed”, he stated.
Oke, a legal practitioner from Ngo Town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers state, was elected alongside nine other executive members, and will serve for three years.
The Obolo Lawyers Forum cuts across Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States.
The new Chairman, who pledged to promote unity, peace, legal representations and infrastructural development across the Obolo Nation, described his election as a call to service rather than a personal achievement, and promised to work with senior lawyers, colleagues and relevant stakeholders to advance the interests of the Obolo Nation.
“I’m quite glad because it is a call for service. I know that there is nothing personal there. The essence of it is a higher call for service to the Obolo Nation”, he said.
On his message to politicians and electorates ahead of the 2027 general elections, Oke emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, describing it as a necessary foundation for meaningful development.

“Peace is priceless”, he declared, urging political stakeholders, aspirants and electorates to shun violence and ensure peaceful conduct throughout the campaign and election periods.
He further called on all stakeholders to contribute towards sustaining the existing peace in Andoni and the wider Obolo Nation, stressing that development cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and instability.
He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the interests of the people, the Rule of Law, and ensuring that the Obolo Nation receives its fair share in the affairs of Rivers State.

By: John Bibor & Okezie Nnenna

Rivers

Monarch Seeks More Constitutional Roles For Traditional Rulers

Published

6 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike AmadiWorlu-Wodo, has called on the Federal Government to assign more constitutional responsibilities to traditional rulers to enable them contribute more effectively to governance and grassroots development.
Eze Wodo, who made the call as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTR), during the combined quarterly general meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, said traditional rulers remained closer to the people than other arms of government, stressing that their involvement was essential to achieving sustainable development at the grassroots.
“We are closer to the people than any other arm of government. No development can be sustained without us”, he said.
The royal father also appealed to the government to improve the welfare of traditional rulers by providing a better working environment and reviewing their stipends in line with prevailing economic realities.
While commending the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for promoting peace and good governance in Rivers State, Eze Wodo urged the Governor to fulfil his promises to council members, particularly in mobility and logistics.
Declaring the meeting open, Fubara charged traditional rulers across the state to take the lead in promoting peace and unity as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The Governor cautioned royal fathers against allowing political differences to create divisions or threaten the peace in their respective communities.
He stressed that their conduct during the political season would be crucial to maintaining stability across the state.
“As we are entering into this political season, actively ensure that your conduct maintains peace in your place. Your action should not be what will lead to the division and multiple crises that we cannot manage as a government”, he said.
Fubara further urged traditional rulers to uphold justice and fairness in their domains, noting that these values were essential to peaceful communities and sustainable development.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to he people.

the traditional institution, the governor described royal fathers as custodians of the state’s cultural heritage and community leaders who maintained close relationships with the people.
He expressed appreciation for their prayers and contributions to peace and development, assuring them that his administration would continue to respect the institution and give due attention to their welfare.
Addressing concerns over statutory benefits due to traditional rulers from local government councils, Fubara explained that such matters were guided by established procedures.
He, however, assured the royal fathers that he would address issues within his authority and communicate further decisions through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

By: Kevin Nengia