Rivers

OPM Hospital Delivers 780 Infants In Two Months

Published

5 years ago

May 3, 2021

No fewer than 780 babies have been delivered at the Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Free Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt in the last two years, the Medical Director (MD), Dr Enighe Ugboma says.
Ugboma disclosed this yesterday at a ceremony to celebrate the second anniversary of the hospital located at Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, near Port Harcourt.
She said that the hospital had been providing free maternal healthcare services to both expectant mothers and new mothers without collecting any fee from them.
“April 17, 2021 marked two years that this hospital was inaugurated out of the love that the OPM General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has for the less privileged and the downtrodden in the society
“The hospital during the last two years had registered over 1,448 pregnant women for antenatal care; delivered 780 babies that included two sets of triplets and 23 sets of twins.
“Every service in the hospital is rendered free of charge to pregnant women. They include: registration, obstetric ultrasound scan, antenatal, consultancy, blood, drugs and vaginal tests as well as caesarean deliveries.
“On delivery, every woman is fed daily free of charge while each indigent patient is given a delivery pack containing: baby clothes and toiletries,” she said.
Ugboma added the hospital used to give transport fare to the women after delivery, making their departures from the hospital to their homes a thing of joy.
Speaking, the General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, said that the hospital was built and run from the offerings and tithes of members of the church.
He said that aside the two free specialist hospitals operated in Ohunku, Abia and Port Harcourt; that OPM had also built 15 schools where students and pupils acquire knowledge free of charge.
“We have also provided free accommodations to many in our estates and awarded scholarships to hundreds of students to study in both local and foreign universities.
“OPM did all these and many more through the offerings and tithes from our members for the benefits of the less privileged, irrespective of their tribes and religion,” he said.
Chinyere said that he was motivated to embark on the humanitarian works by his passion and commitment to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ who loves the poor and the suffering.
“So, we decided to build the hospitals with the mandate to attend to pregnant mothers due to the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in the country.
“We realised that these avoidable deaths are caused partly because many pregnant women and their husbands do not have access to quality antenatal services.
“Because their husbands cannot afford to pay hospital bills, they were not registering their pregnant wives to deliver their babies there. Many pregnant women lose their lives and that of their unborn children due to lack of proper medical care.
“So, we are happy that God is using OPM to touch the lives of the people as the hospital has delivered almost 800 babies in two years of operation,” he added.
Chinyere, however, said the hospital was expensive to run due to the overbearing cost of running its electric generators 24 hours daily, to power medical equipment in the facility.
He said it cost the church over N1million monthly to run its electric generators alone, aside maintenance cost and staff salaries, among others.
“So, we call on the government to immediately support us by restoring electricity back to this area, considering the many lives the hospital saves daily,” he appealed.
The President of OPM Divine Distributors, Dr Matt Offeh, lauded the General Overseer for not emulating some pastors, who allegedly used funds realised by their churches to buy private jets and live luxurious lifestyles.
According to him, OPM which was founded in 2006 had invested hundreds of millions to build and operate the specialist hospitals at no cost to its patients.
One of the beneficiaries, Saratu Musa, a Muslim and a nursing mother of an 11-month-old baby, said she was delivered of her daughter without paying kobo to the hospital.
“The hospital took care of me from the antenatal stage to actual delivery. They even fed me and my baby throughout my admission in the hospital,” she said.
Mrs Happiness Kingsley, who is six months’ pregnant also, said that the hospital had met all her medical needs, including free antenatal tests, scans, checkups and drugs.

Rivers

2026 Boy Child Day: Association Seeks Intentional Mentoring

Published

9 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child last Saturday, the Rivers Secondary Schools Old Boys and Girls 1983 Set Association has called for deliberate investment in raising boys who will become responsible heads of homes.

In a press release signed and issued by the Secretary-General of the Association, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo, to commemorate the day, the Association said the future stability of Nigerian families depends on how intentionally boys are raised and guided.

Speaking on behalf of the Set, President of the Association, Barrister Tubokomba Mcdonald Harry, she said the theme of this year’s global celebration, “Boys to Men: Adopting Good Habits and Attitudes”, must move beyond slogans to daily practice in homes, schools, and communities.

“For years, advocacy has rightly centered on the girl child. That work must continue. But we cannot ignore the other side”, Barrister Harry stated.

“A boy who grows up without guidance, emotional literacy, and responsibility often becomes a man who struggles to lead, provide, and protect. If we want stable homes in 2040, we must invest in boys now”, he said.

He emphasized that being “head of the home” is about stewardship, not power: “The man who leads a home well is emotionally responsible, financially disciplined, morally upright, and a true partner to his spouse. These qualities are learned from childhood, through what boys see, hear, and practice.”

The Association noted that many boys currently learn manhood by default from peers, social media, and entertainment that equate masculinity with aggression and silence about pain.

To change this, the 1983 Set urged fathers and mentors to be present and active, schools to integrate life skills such as conflict resolution and financial literacy, and communities and faith groups to establish mentorship programmes where older men guide younger ones.

The press release also linked the issue to Africa’s wider goals, noting that the 2026 Day of the African Child focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene.

“A boy trained to solve real problems becomes a man who ensures dignity for his family and community”, Harry said.

The Association concluded with a call to mothers, fathers, and boys themselves to take ownership of the task of raising responsible future leaders.

International Day of the Boy Child is observed globally on May 16. It is a day that focuses on the well-being, mental health and positive development of boys.

Rivers

Ogoni Landlords Seek Inclusion In Planned Oil Resumption Process

Published

9 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Flemotongha Miebi/Fortune Wokeh/Akpos David/Esuuk Oyet/Edughom Suotor

Landlords in Ogoni, under the aegis of Gokana,Tai, Eleme, and Khana United Landlords Association (GOTEKA) have called for inclusion in the ongoing negotiation over the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

The landlords,who made the call during its formal inauguration recently in Port Harcourt, also called for proper compensation, clear legal agreements, and inclusive dialogues in the entire process

Chairman of the Association, Professor George Ema, said any resumption of oil exploration in ogoniland without proper consultation with host communities and land owners will be resisted.

George said, while the association expressed support for the planned return of oil activities in ogoniland under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, key historical issues must be addressed to avoid a repeat of earlier conflicts that led to the suspension of oil operations in the area.

According to GOTEKA, past disagreements between oil companies, political leaders, and host communities caused crises, court cases, and long-term disruption of oil production in Ogoni land, adding that these problems were responsible for the high level of poverty warranted by economic stagnation, social unrest, pipeline vandalism, and many legal battles in the area.

The landlords also referenced the struggles led by late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), which opposed Shell’s activities in Ogoni land, resulting in years of unrest and court cases.

They stressed that the renewed plan for oil exploration must be guided by proper Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), fair compensation, and the direct involvement of landlords in negotiations to prevent cheating and conflict.

The group also raised concern over what they described as a repeated “divide and rule” approach in handling oil compensation in Ogoni. They said there is a lack of proper MOUs between oil companies and landlords, while compensation often goes to political leaders and traditional rulers instead of the real landowners.

GOTEKA added that land in Ogoni is owned by individuals and families, not the entire community.

According to the group, “under traditional land rules, owners have full rights over their land and can decide how it is used, including selling or leasing it. So, there must be proper agreement spelt out in the MOU, which must be signed by all the parties involved to avoid legal battles.

The group urged government, oil companies, and political leaders to respect traditional land ownership and adopt honest dialogue and peaceful negotiation in resolving issues.

Rivers

Police Warn Rivers Students Against Cultism, Drug Abuse

Published

9 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Rumuodomaya Police Station, CSP Dindara Dadamu, has warned students in Rivers State against involvement in cultism and other criminal activities, stressing that such acts could lead to imprisonment and destruction of their future.

He gave the warning recently during an anti-cultism and drug abuse sensitisation programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at Den-Bec Group of Schools in Port Harcourt.

Dadamu stated that the law does not exempt minors from punishment, noting that children from the age of 12 could still be prosecuted for criminal offences.

According to him, many young people are lured into cultism through peer pressure and bad company. He urged the students to be mindful of the friends they associate with.

The DCO stressed that ignorance of the law would not protect anyone from facing the consequences of unlawful conduct.

Also speaking, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Ejiofor Ifeanyi, described cultism and drug abuse as destructive habits capable of ruining academic ambitions and promising careers.

He advised the students to avoid negative influences and remain focused on their education and personal development.

A mental health expert, Mr. Victor Akeni, noted that cultism and illicit drug use contribute significantly to emotional instability, fear and poor academic performance among youths.

He explained that cult members often live under constant fear of attacks and reprisals, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies or live peacefully.

The sensitisation programme brought together security agencies, mental health professionals, teachers and students as part of efforts to discourage social vices among young people.

The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke through a representative, Mrs. Anna West, encouraged the students to take advantage of opportunities provided through education and technology rather than engaging in unlawful activities.

Ogbuku also warned that cultism and drug abuse could result in imprisonment, violence and untimely death, and urged the students to embrace discipline, hard work and positive values.

By: King Onunwor