OPM Founder Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere Hospitalized Amid Controversies

Patrick OdeyJune 29, 2023

3 minutes read

Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed ailment.

The clergyman, who is known for his philanthropic works, took to his Facebook page on Thursday to share a photo of himself lying on a hospital bed and asked his followers to pray for him.

The post, which was captioned “Please put me in your prayers”, attracted many comments from his fans and well-wishers, who expressed their concern and wished him a speedy recovery.

Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere’s hospitalization comes at a time when he has been embroiled in some controversies over his alleged abandonment of some of his beneficiaries, including those on scholarships abroad and the family of the late Deborah Samuel.

Deborah Samuel was a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, who was killed by Islamic extremists in May 2022 over blasphemy allegations against Prophet Mohammed. Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere intervened and relocated her parents and siblings to Port Harcourt to start a new life.

However, according to a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the family of the late Deborah Samuel has been facing hardship and neglect from the OPM founder.

They claimed that they were not given a free apartment as promised, but rather had to pay rent, which had expired. They also said that they did not own any of the appliances and equipment in their apartment, which belonged to OPM. They added that the car that was given to them by OPM was faulty and had broken down.

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The family also lamented that they did not receive any support or visit from OPM members since they moved to Port Harcourt. They said they preferred to return to Niger State, where they had loved ones and Christians from different churches who cared for them.

“I really wanted to return to Niger State because there is no support here. It isn’t about money, no member of OPM comes here to pay us a visit. Since we’ve been in Port Harcourt, none of OPM’s members cared enough to visit us here. While we were in Niger we were surrounded by loved ones and Christians from different churches. We just leave everything in the hands of God. I thank everyone who has tried to help us.” – Alheri Samuel, mother of late Deborah Samuel.

Another controversy that has rocked Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere’s ministry is the case of two former security guards known as Happy Boys, who were on an OPM scholarship to Cyprus. The duo had accused the clergyman of abandoning them in Cyprus without paying their tuition fees and living expenses. They said they had to resort to menial jobs and begging to survive.

Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere has denied the allegations, saying that he did not abandon them, but rather asked them to relocate to either Nigeria or the Republic of Benin to continue their education. He said he had spent over N300 million on their scholarship and could not afford to pay more due to the economic situation in Nigeria.

He also claimed that Happy Boys were ungrateful and disrespectful to him and his ministry. He said he had placed a curse on them for tarnishing his image and reputation.

“I have spent over N300 million on their scholarship. I can’t continue paying because things are hard in Nigeria now. I asked them to come back home or go to Benin Republic where things are cheaper. But they refused. They started insulting me and my ministry on social media. They are ungrateful and wicked. I have placed a curse on them for lying against me.” – Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere.

Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere is one of the most popular pastors in Nigeria, especially in the South-South region. He is the founder of Omega Power Ministries, which has over 200 branches across Nigeria and abroad.

He is also the founder of OPM Foundation, a humanitarian outfit that has embarked on various projects such as free schools, free restaurants, free computer training centres, free tailoring centres, free boreholes, free hospitals, free estates, free scholarships and empowerment programmes for the less privileged.

He was born on October 22nd 1973 in Abia State and had a humble beginning. He moved to Lagos where he slept under the bridge until he secured a job as a cleaner with the Nigeria airport authority. He also worked as a security guard and sold GSM recharge cards to survive.

He was formerly a member of Jehovah Witness but later joined Mountain of Fire Ministry where he became a house fellowship teacher. He left Mountain of Fire Ministry and became a freelance preacher of the gospel.

In 2006, he founded Omega Power Ministries and became the Apostle and General Overseer of the ministry.

He is married to Nkechi Chinyere and they have four children. He has received several awards and honours for his humanitarian services and contributions to the society.