The founder of Omega Power Ministries popularly known as OPM in Nigeria, Apostle (Dr) Chibuzor Gift Chinyere has been named in the 2023 Time Africa Magazine 100 Change Makers – Most Inspiring People in Africa.
TIME AFRICA MAGAZINE is one of the largest magazines in Africa with millions unique visitors monthly on its digital platforms; print readership of 1.1 million and a combined print and online local biweekly audience of 2.4 million.
The magazine described Apostle Chinyere as Messianic Apostle whose wisdom, humility and generosity inspire African leaders to look the way of the poor and vulnerable children.
The magazine opined that he has set breakneck pace as far as philanthropy in Africa is concerned. In its April 14 Edition, the Magazine wrote:
“Everything about Apostle (Dr) Chibuzor Gift Chinyere is a manifest depiction of enigmatic greatness. From the onset, the young man has always distinguished himself as a child of destiny and had left no one in doubt as to what he would become and where he was going in life.
Born in Abia State – South East, Nigeria, Apostle GIFT, as the name implies, has been leaving and demonstrating the true meaning of his name. He has indeed proven to be a precious GIFT not only to Africa but to the whole world. All he has done to find himself where he is today was to allow himself and still allowing himself, without much struggle, to be driven by a whiff of destiny; and anywhere he found himself happens to be where he was supposed to be. From his early education at Seabird Nursery School in Port Harcourt to his Primary education at Army Children School where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and his other educational pursuits thereafter, destiny has always made a beaten path to his door step.
In spite of his poor background and unfavourable circumstances of his birth, Apostle Chinyere has risen above all odds to become a beacon of hope to the hopeless and built a sort of redemptive bridges linking hopelessness to destinies, poverty to wealth and raising dry bones to the glory of God. His selfless lifestyle of service, sacrifice and generosity is a practical exemplification of that of our Lord Jesus Christ who lived his entire life serving humanity.
Despite the fact that he had a tortuous and precarious upbringing, the Iconic Apostle was audacious enough not to submit to the tyranny of fate. He has often heard people say “life is tough” but his first exposure with that reality was when he left Port Harcourt for Lagos in search of greener pastures. He had nobody to accommodate him in Lagos so he had to sleep under the bridge while selling Recharge Cards and fending for himself at CMS, Lagos Island. He found himself serving as a security guard until he later got a job with Nigeria Airport Authority as a cleaner.
The axiom that ‘he whom God loves is first sent to the school of hardship’ thus, to young Chibuzor, all these experiences were God’s way of preparing him for the daunting service of humanity. Having satisfied all requirements of God for the task ahead, Apostle Chinyere, through the inspiration of God, founded the Omega Power Ministries popularly known as OPM. That was 16 years ago and since then, the entire humanity all over the globe has been positively touched by the special anointing upon this great man of God.
Inspired by divine mandate, this enigmatic Apostle founded OPM Foundation, a platform through which he renders superfluous humanitarian services to indigent people all over the world. As a man who had been victim of social injustice, poverty and deprivation, Apostle Chinyere ensures that OPM Foundation makes up in the lives of other people, for the squalor and hardship he had gone through under the unfortunate categorization as a “less privileged” person.
Apostle Chinyere’s modest acts of philanthropy and charity have been highly commendable and worthy of emulation. All his projects and programmes are essentially aimed at the alleviation of the poor and less privileged in particular and for the upliftment of humanity in general.
His achievements in this regard are immeasurable, some of which include: The building of 22 state of the art free Nursery and Primary Schools for the poor and less privileged, where completely free education is provided for indigent people irrespective of denomination, religion and tribe. The kind of free education talked about here consists of free School uniforms, footwear, bags and study materials. OPM Foundation in collaboration with the church has also embarked on free school feeding programme and currently taking care of over 45,000 indigent pupils on daily basis.
Other notable projects of this charismatic Apostle are as follows: Two free Specialist Hospitals in Rivers and Abia States which have drastically reduced the high rate of maternal mortality in these states; built 18 free Estates for the poor, less privileged and for rehabilitation of repentant criminals; built a free mega restaurant for the poor and less privileged; built the largest free skill acquisition center in Port Harcourt which has been in existence for the past ten years and has trained over 40 thousand Nigerians in various skills and innovations; renovation of dilapidated Secondary Schools in Abia State and provided the schools with boreholes with high powered generators. He also offered Scholarships to Students of the schools and restored WAEC Centre in some of the Schools as well as employed addition teachers whom he pays monthly salaries. He also carried out the electrification projects in Ohanku community and environs in Abia State and pays monthly salaries to widows of the community. It is no longer news that Apostle Chibuzor has offered University scholarships to over 4,000 indigent Nigerians currently studying in different countries of the world including United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Cyprus, UAE etc.
It is also worthy to mention that Omega Power Ministries is the first church to build School for Autism and Down syndrome in Africa. The OPM free school for children born with Autism and Down syndrome is another philanthropic milestone which happens to the only one of its kind in Africa. Every year, thousands of children are born with autism in Nigeria, a disorder that is very expensive and difficult to manage. Some children with autism are isolated by their families due the stigma of intellectual and cognitive disability while some are even killed to avoid the consequent shame and mockery. But Apostle Chinyere’s intervention has brought solace and hope to children not only with autism and down syndrome disorder but those with other kinds of life-threatening disabilities.
The entire media space was recently agog with the news of Apostle Chinyere relocating Deborah Samuel’s family from Niger State to Port Harcourt and bought 14 mini flats Estate for them. He also bought them a car and opened a business of their own choice – a canteen business for the family and gave all Deborah’s siblings scholarship to study anywhere in the world. This gesture followed the murder of Deborah Samuel, a 200 level Economic student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was brutally murdered by some Islamic fanatics over a religious issue. Apostle Chinyere stepped in to forestall further breakdown of law and order and saved Nigeria from religious conflict.
Stories about Apostle Chinyere’s philanthropic gestures and activities do sound like an incredible fairy tale but testimonies of such uncommon benevolence have gone viral like a popular trending song, making the Apostle an exceptional Man of God.
Nigeria as a country should consider itself lucky to have such selfless and patriotic citizen who has contributed so immensely to the growth and development of the country. He has spent enormous resources developing Human capital and building institutions, all for the glory of God and benefit of humanity.
The Messianic Apostle has really touched souls and fulfilling his divine mandate on earth and the world is indeed very grateful to him.”
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Written by Chidi-Peters Okorie – a journalist creating high-quality informed content on local and international affairs, politics and humanities. He has worked both in and out of newsroom since 2023. He has significant experience in community resilience and nonprofit community development initiatives. Also, he is trained in Conflict Resolution and Diversity, and has special interests in Media Law.