From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has called on Nigerian government to stop making education difficult for the citizens, particularly the less privileged in the society.
He made the call following the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government against certificates/degrees issued to Nigerian students by ESM University in Benin Republic, which affected over 600 Nigerians on the OPM Scholarship Scheme.
The cleric stressed that the stifling policies of the Federal Government which affects admission into higher institutions discourage students who have interest in pursuing their dreams.
Chinyere stated that he had invested hugely in the academic development of the students, emphasising that the money spent on them came from offerings and tithes from church.
He recalled that some of the students on the OPM scholarship are orphans, while most of the parents whose children were beneficiaries especially mothers, are widows, who could not send their children beyond secondary school.
Chinyere appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the danger in stopping the students’ education abruptly and its implication for their parents and the society.
The cleric who is also known for his philanthropy, recalled that before enrolling the students into the institution, he approached the Ministry of Education to ascertain the credibility of ESM University, and he was told to go ahead.
“Before I started this scholarship, I personally went to the Ministry of Education, Abuja, to verify if ESM was accredited. I also verified if the graduates of the school would be able to participate in NYSC scheme in Nigeria.
“All these were confirmed positive before I paid the first school fees. It was that guarantee that I got from the education ministry in Nigeria that made me to send students on scholarships to the school in Benin Republic.
“Yes, I have many students on scholarships in Nigeria; why sending students to Benin and other countries for studies? The issue is that the system (government) made education very strenuous for students; the government policies made education very difficult.
“By the grace of God, OPM has students on scholarships in America, Canada, Cyprus, Japan and other countries around the world. With the students’ five credits, we applied to the universities; we receive unconditional letters. We proceed to the embassies and paid for the students’ school fees. It was the same process with other African countries when we wanted to obtain admission for students for the scholarships.
“Only in Benin Republic, I have spent more than N500 million, from offerings and tithes that come to the church. I am not talking about other places. Do you want this money to go and they will come and start afresh? There are ways you can assist these students by strengthening the policy instead of putting more burdens.
“How can you wake up one morning and say all the universities in Benin Republic and Togo are fake? The same Ministry of Education in Nigeria that confirmed that the schools were accredited before I enrolled the students to the schools? How can they speaking with (both sides of the) mouth?
“If they continue to stick to their policy, I will cancel the scholarships because I cannot begin to pay fresh school fees for somebody that is already in final year.
“In Benin Republic alone, we have more than 650 students on scholarships. And if this policy is allowed to stay, I have no other choice than to wash my hands off.”
Meanwhile, about 600 students of ESM University, Benin Republic, and their parents have cried and appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its decision rather than frustrate them.
A visually-impaired widow Mrs Josephine Hycienth, lamented: “I am a blind widow whose son had opportunity of the free scholarship from the OPM to study in a Benin Republic university.”
A 200-level Computer Science student, Moses Nicodemus, expressed shock at the development saying: “I am 200-level student going to 300 level. I came back to Nigeria for my Industrial Training (IT) only to hear that my school is not accredited.
“That is why we are calling on President Bola Tinubu for assistance; the Apostle (Chibuzor Chinyere) has spent millions of naira on our education.”