By Ivy Lawson
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 make the expressed following the recent pronouncement of federal government against certificates (degrees) of Nigerian students studying at ESM University in Benin Republic, which affected over 600 Nigerians on the OPM Scholarship Scheme.
The cleric stressed that the stiffening policies of Federal Government on admission into higher institutions discourages students who have interest in education from pursuing their dreams.
Chinyere stated that he has invested hugely in the academic development of the students, emphasizing that the funds spent on them were offerings and tithes from church.
He added that some of the students on the OPM scholarship are orphans, while most of the parents, especially mothers, are widows, who could not send their children beyond secondary school level.
Chinyere appealed to the president, to consider the danger stopping the students’ education abruptly would cause the students, their parents and society in general.
The cleric who is widely known for his philanthropic works, said before enrolling the students into the institution, he approached the Ministry of Education to ascertain the credibility of ESM University, and he was allowed to go ahead.
Apostle Chinyere expressed: “Before I started this scholarships, I personally went to the Ministry of Education, Abuja, to verify if ESM is accredited. Also to verify if the graduates of the school will be able to participate in NYSC in Nigeria.
“And all these were confirmed positive before I paid 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, Tokyo and other countries around the world. With the students’ five credits; we apply to the universities; we receive conditional letter; then, unconditional offer letter which we proceed to the Embassy and letter pay for the students’ school fees. The same process goes with other African countries when we want to obtain admission for students on scholarships.
“But, here in Nigeria, it’s not the fault of Mr. President, but the policy. Number one, you will write JAMB, wait for a period of months, then write post UTME before you even gain admission to any of the universities in the country.
“Every day, people come to my house for scholarships: less-privileged, widows, orphans etc. I have more than 4,000 students currently on scholarships right now. I am not talking about the people that have graduated.
“We have two times a year per a section internationally. But, here, if you miss JAMB, you have to wait till next year. So, it’s easier to send students abroad on scholarships than here.”
“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 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 the decision and not frustrate them.
Some of the students and parents in tears, said they were shocked when they received news about Federal Government’s decision on ESM University, Benin Republic.
They said that withdrawing them from school after their benefactor, Apostle Chinyere, had invested much in their education, would amount to ruining their future.
A visually impaired widow, Mrs. Josephine Hycienth, begged: “I am a blind widow whose son had opportunity of the free scholarship from the OPM to study in a Benin Republic University.
“Nobody cares about us since after my husband’s death. I want President Bola Tinubu to come to our aide. They should not cancel their education. If my son is allowed to come back home, nobody will assist in his education, I need the president to help.”
A 200-Level Computer Science student, Moses Nicodemus, expressed shock: “I am 200 level students 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 the President of the Republic of Nigeria; the Apostle (Chibuzor Chinyere) has spent millions of naira on our education. We need help. We have tried to study to come out with good certificate.”