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OPM Plans Free University In Nigeria …As 15 Scholarship Beneficiaries Depart For Cyprus

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The Omega Power Ministries (OPM) will soon have its own university in Nigeria which would be free for all Nigerians.
This is even as the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Chinyere Gift Chibuzor, has offered scholarship to 15 more young people to study at the prestigious Final University in Cyprus, as part of his 49th birthday celebration.
The beneficiaries, who were visibly elated, departed the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in company of the General Overseer on Monday.
Speaking to newsmen at the airport before the departure of the beneficiaries, Chibuzor said it has become necessary for OPM to have its own free university due to the high cost of sponsoring scholarship beneficiaries of the church in foreign countries.
He said as soon as the new university comes on stream, OPM will no longer send young people abroad to study, lamenting that sponsoring people abroad on scholarship today was taking a heavy financial toll on the church due to the high exchange rate of the naira, amid other global challenges.
Chibuzor disclosed that the flight ticket for one of the scholarship beneficiaries which was a little above N500,000 six months ago, has now risen to N1.7million, contending that in spite of the seeming setback, the church has sustained its foreign university scholarship programme for over 10 years now.
He noted that taking the 15 scholqarship beneficiaries to Cyprus this time around, was his birthday gift to the world, and urged the beneficiaries to always concentrate on their studies and not be distracted by the beautiful things and worldly pleasures abroad in order to assist others on their graduation.
The General Overseer further hinted that the church has, through tithes and offerings, already paid the school fees and accommodation of 80 beneficiaries, adding that the 15 were the first batch, as other batches would soon follow suit, and recalled that 84 OPM scholarship beneficiaries were already studying in Cyrus.
Among the beneficiaries were three damsels who had earlier been sent to Dubai by the church to train as nurses for a brief spell, but had some challenges due to the seeming frosty relationship between the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates.
The trio, who narrated their ordeal said they were brought back to Nigeria by the General Overseer who offered them another opportunity to complete their Nursing programmes in Cyprus for a duration of four years like the other beneficiaries.
More pathetic is the story of another beneficiary, Mr Godswill Chibuzor Uchendu, who had an accident some years back which left one of his legs broken.
Uchendu said he was rescued by OPM when he had been abandoned by the society, and was only ekeing a living by carrying blocks.
The young man said in an interview that Apostle Chibuzor did not only provide him with an artificial leg and a walking aid, but also gifted him a parcel of land in Port Harcourt as well as considered him worthy to be among those travelling to Cyprus to upgrade his education. For all these, Uchendu thanked God and the cleric.
His father, Mr. David Uchendu, who is a carpenter, spoke to newsmen amid tears, and thanked the man of God for his good deeds.
Miss Emmanuella Assimita from Cross River State; Mr. Lucky Emmanuel Wonaemi from Bayelsa State; and Miss Covenant Kelechi Onyenze from Imo State, said in separate interviews that Apostle Chibuzor was God-sent and prayed God to grant him long life.
Another beneficiary, Miss Mmesoma Favour Obasi, who hails from Abia State told The Tide that she was living in Lagos with her parents but could not cope with her education because of poverty.
She, however, expressed delight that she was discovered by OPM to be among those travelling to Cyprus to further her education.

By: Donatus Ebi

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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