Rivers

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

Published

4 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

Terrorism: COAS Makes Case For Local Intelligence Gathering

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said robust local intelligence gathering is the most effective weapon in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent crime.

He, therefore, urged communities across the country to take ownership of security efforts through active collaboration with the military.

Shaibu gave the advice in his message at the 7th edition of the Nigerian Army Key Stakeholders Engagement Forum themed “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities,” in Port Harcourt recently.

Represented at the event by the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, Major General J.E. Osifo, the Army Chief emphasized that security was a collective responsibility that demands a whole-of-society approach.

He stressed that the Nigerian Army draws its strength from the support of citizens and communities, noting that cooperation from the civil populace significantly boosts the morale and operational effectiveness of troops engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

Shaibu also identified militancy in the Niger Delta, terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and separatist agitations in the South-East as pressing security challenges requiring coordinated national action and credible intelligence from the grassroots.

According to him, synergy with key stakeholders remains a central pillar of the Army’s strategy, as sustainable national security and economic development can only be achieved in a peaceful and stable environment.

As a way forward, he called on traditional institutions, faith leaders and civil society organizations to use their influence to promote unity and discourage criminality within their communities, describing them as critical partners in intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.

While acknowledging that counter-terrorism campaigns often record both successes and losses, the Army Chief said collaboration between the military and the public was indispensable to securing lasting victories on the battlefield.

He urged participants at the forum to contribute meaningfully to discussions, identify operational gaps and propose practical solutions that would strengthen trust and improve engagement between soldiers and civilians.

In his keynote address, retired Brigadier General, and traditional ruler of Abuloma Kingdom, Ateke Fiboinumama, underscored the importance of leadership in reducing crime, noting that effective engagement with community leaders can significantly curb insecurity.

Fiboinumama highlighted the Army’s non-kinetic interventions in Rivers State, including medical outreaches and disaster response efforts, and called for honesty within communities, stressing that while the military owes citizens protection, communities owe the military cooperation.

Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, outlined ongoing initiatives such as scholarships, literacy competitions, medical missions and public complaint channels, as the forum concluded with a panel discussion to reinforce trust, transparency and sustained partnership as essential ingredients for restoring peace and stability nationwide.

The event had in attendance traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders who deliberated on strengthening civil-military relations.

King Onunwor

Rivers

CareerFest 2026 Begins In PH Today

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Fasthire Services, in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Rivers State Chapter, will begin a two-day career development and job creation event in Port Harcourt, today.

The event known as Fasthire CareerFest 2026, is expected to attract over 1,000 job opportunities, with employers actively recruiting across various sectors.

According to the organisers, CareerFest 2026 is designed to be a high-impact platform that goes beyond a traditional job fair, and will also feature career exhibitions and professional guidance sessions, aimed at helping participants navigate career pathways, professional development, and long-term career planning.

There will be virtual sessions and industry conversations today, and physical conference and job fair in Port Harcourt tomorrow.

The hybrid event scheduled to hold at Celebra8 Event Center, Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt, will feature three core components including career and industry conference, involving keynote sessions, panel discussions and fireside chats with Human Resources leaders, business executives, policymakers, and industry experts.

It will also feature a job fair and recruitment hub with direct engagement between employers and job seekers, as well as one-on-one career counselling, mentorship and exhibitions.

The organisers said CareerFest 2026 is open to students, fresh graduates, job seekers, professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and anyone seeking career clarity, growth, or new opportunities.

They called on members of the public, employers who have vacancies and want to recruit, and professionals to register and participate in what is positioned as one of the most impactful career and employment-focused events in the South-South region.

The vision for CareerFest was originally conceived by Fasthire Services and has since received strong buy-in and strategic support from PHCCIMA and CIPM Rivers, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce development, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment.

Other strategic partners supporting the event include NTA, 3MTT, Google Developer Group (GDG) Port Harcourt, SMFest, and other companies and organisations that are committed to skills development, innovation, and employment creation.

With strong institutional backing, a clear employment focus, and a growing network of partners, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping careers, strengthening the workforce, and driving inclusive economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.

Rivers

Etche Clan Urges Govt On Chieftaincy Recognition

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Cultural officer of Etche Ethnic Nationality, Eze Charles Nweke, has warned government against recognizing anyone not installed by the Onyeishi Etche, His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, as Onyeishi Agwurus or Clan head in Etche and Omuma local government areas.

Eze Nweke, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, also called on Etche sons and daughters to respect the culture and traditions of Etche ethnic nationality.

He said the advice to the government has become necessary in order to preserve the sanctity of the Etche chieftaincy institution.

Nweke, who described Oche ENB Opurum as the custodian of the traditions of Etche ethnic nationality, said the Etche monarch has laid down the ground norms of the culture and traditions of his people, adding that what is needed is for both government and the people to accord it proper respect.

He listed clans in Etche to include Igbo Agwuru Asa, Okehi, Omuma, Ozuzu, Ulakwo Umuselem, and Mba.

According to him, dding these clans already have their heads who are all subservient to the Oche of Etche ethnic nationality .

Nweke said others below the Onyeishi Agwurus are special chieftaincy titles, the Ochimbas, Mgbaragidas, as well as Ogbetis and Ada Etche, who he said can come from any of the clans

Nweke also stressed the need for all community heads and clan heads in Etche nation to appreciate Oche ENB Opurum for his wisdom in bringing Etche nation together.

He said as the custodian of Etche culture, Oche ENB Opurum has not only laid foundation for a prosperous Etche as far as the Chieftaincy institution was concerned, but has also made sons and daughters of Etche proud by ensuring orderliness in the tradition and culture of Etche.

He stated that Oche ENB Opurum has laid foundation as far as the traditional institution of Etche was concerned, especially in the order of importance.

Nweke continued that Etche tradition must be respected because it is the only way Etche nation can continue to move forward.

He said it beholves sons and daughters of Etche to respect the Monarch by keeping to the tenet of the Etche culture and traditions.

The Chief Cultural officer also said all the Chieftaincy stools in Etche, including the stool of the Oche, are not hereditary, and that inline with Etche tradition, the Oche stool rotates from clan to clan while onyeishi Agwuru/special chieftaincy titles rotates from town to town, Ochimba stool rotates from village to village, while the Mgbiragidas rotate from compound to compound.

John Bibor