For many Nigerians forced to return home after losing their livelihoods in South Africa, the journey back has been one of uncertainty, despair, and trauma. After spending between 15 to 30 years abroad, many returned with no homes, businesses, or means of livelihood following attacks that allegedly left their shops and properties destroyed during xenophobic violence in South Africa.
OPM Steps In to Support Returnees
However, at least 15 of the returnees have found relief through the Omega Power Ministries (OPM), whose founder, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has provided accommodation, feeding, and support to help them rebuild their lives. Findings by The Guardian in Port Harcourt showed that some of the returnees, along with their children, are being accommodated in one of OPM's free estates in Port Harcourt, and the children have been enrolled in school.
Confirming this, the cleric said he was moved to intervene after learning about the ordeal of the returnees through a member in his church's South African branch. According to him, many of the victims had lived in South Africa for decades and had invested everything there, leaving them with nowhere to return to after their businesses were destroyed, which could trigger trauma, sickness, or death, hence his decision to intervene.
“When I heard their stories and discovered that many of them had nowhere to stay after returning to Nigeria, I decided to help. Some had spent over 20 years in South Africa and had no homes here because everything they owned was there,” he said.
Accommodation and Education Provided
The cleric disclosed that OPM acquired an estate to accommodate the returnees using church funds and has continued to provide food and other basic necessities for them and their families. He also confirmed that many of the children of the returnees have been enrolled in school. Chinyere said the intervention was inspired by his Christian faith and the biblical injunction to care for the needy.
“The motivation is simply the love of God. The Bible teaches us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and provide shelter for the homeless. That is the principle guiding what we are doing,” he said.
Plans for Business Empowerment
Beyond immediate relief, the cleric said the ministry plans to establish businesses for the returnees to enable them to bounce back and become self-reliant. According to him, a welfare committee will monitor the beneficiaries and supervise the purchase of goods for the businesses to ensure the support is not mismanaged.
Root Causes of Migration Addressed
Reflecting on the root causes of irregular migration, Chinyere argued that many Nigerians leave the country in search of better opportunities because of economic hardship. He urged government at all levels to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive by addressing challenges such as poor electricity supply and inadequate infrastructure.
Community Development Initiatives
The cleric also highlighted development initiatives he has championed as the traditional ruler of Ikwuorie Ohanku in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. He said the community now enjoys electricity and streetlights after years without power, which he attracted with the help of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while noting that OPM has established free schools and other social projects in the area.
Chinyere further disclosed that, upon becoming the traditional ruler, he abolished the practice of settling disputes through shrines and persuaded traditional worshippers to abandon their shrines in exchange for support to establish legitimate businesses. He maintained that combining spiritual leadership with traditional authority has enabled him to drive reforms and accelerate development in the community, adding that there is nothing wrong with that as many alleged, but all are pure and true service to humanity.
