Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has convened a meeting with the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, to address recent alleged child rights violations involving an autistic child in marriage and childcare practices that conflict with state laws.
The meeting was convened with the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Rivers State Branch, led by its Chairperson, Barr. Tamunonuemi Life-George.
Also in attendance were Directors of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, acknowledged that while the cleric’s actions may have been driven by goodwill, they nonetheless contravened established legal frameworks designed to protect vulnerable children.
“As a faith-based organization, he has engaged in interventions that appear well-intentioned, but unfortunately fall short of compliance with the law,” Dimpka said.
She cited the Child Right law, the Persons with Disability Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law (VAPP) as a guiding instruments for the ministry’s position.
She thanked Apostle Chinyere for honouring the Ministry’s invitation and commended his humility, noting he has pledged to seek clearance from the Ministry going forward and correct identified breaches.
In his response, Apostle Chinyere admitted he was unaware of some requirements, including the need to register his orphanage with the state government through the Ministry and get approval to house minors.”This meeting has been eye-opening.
There were things I was doing without knowing they were wrong. Now that I understand, I am committed to doing the right thing,” he said.
The Ministry reiterated that the engagement forms part of an ongoing enforcement drive aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Rivers State Child Rights Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, in a bid to safeguard the welfare and dignity of children across the state.
