Omega Power Ministry (OPM) have announced the closure of of its free school in Nasarawa State due to alleged pressure from the government.
On Tuesday, September 27, 2023, General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere made the disclosure on his verified Facebook page.
He said the closure of the OPM free school is due to the State government’s contentious decision requesting him to halt unless to make certain payments and other conditions imposed by the government.
The OPM free school which is sited in Karu Local Government Area of the state served students from less privileged and low-income families.
Apostle Chinyere posted, “Faces of Nasarawa children who will be stopping OPM-free school Nasarawa next week as school shuts down because of pressure.”
“OPM knows that the free school affected your school business; we are sorry. We don’t intend to fight your school business.
“But please let me make one request: can your school absorb all OPM-free school children? I really want them to go to school,” he said.
He, however, pleaded with the government to absorb the children to their state schools, adding that he would continue to pay for their fees, textbooks, and other school supplies till they graduate.
“I will be sending their school fees every term till they graduate.”
He apologised to the pupils, stating that the church tried to alleviate their financial burden, but the government refused.
“For the students, we are sorry, but we tried our best. We cannot be fighting every day while we are trying to help you. We are really tired. But we are shutting down the OPM free school in Nasarawa next week.”
It was further learnt that the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education had written a letter to the church requesting it to meet certain laid down conditions to operate.
The letter from the Nasarawa Ministry of Education reads in part:
“We acknowledge the sitting of your school in Nasarawa Local Government Area in trying to contribute to education section in Nasarawa town, and alleviate the burden on parents and assist the less privilege with free education, which will go a long way in uplifting and improving the wellbeing of the people.”
“However, we wish to notify you that certain things have to be done to fulfill the standard of school operation in Nasarawa state, in following the Ministry of Education guidelines of establishing a school to the status of schools in Nasarawa State.
Attached are photocopies of the expenses and guidelines for establishment,”
