By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

As Nigeria honoured 101 distinguished individuals during the 2025 Democracy Day National Honours Awards for their contributions to national development, humanitarian efforts, and democratic progress, notable voices have raised concern over the omission of one name widely regarded as a beacon of selfless service — HRM King Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Worldwide.

The National Honours, instituted by the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964, are Nigeria’s highest form of recognition for citizens and friends of the nation who have made exceptional contributions to society. The awards are not only ceremonial but serve as a national appreciation for individuals whose efforts have significantly impacted the lives of Nigerians.

Despite reportedly fulfilling all requirements — including obtaining, completing, and submitting the necessary forms to the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs — Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere’s name was conspicuously missing from the 2025 award list, even as others have begun receiving their nomination letters ahead of the October investiture at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Described by many as a servant of God with an extraordinary passion for humanitarian work, Apostle Chibuzor has earned national and international recognition for his efforts in education, health, poverty alleviation, and peacebuilding.

One of his most lauded achievements is the establishment of 38 tuition-free schools across Nigeria — including the Federal Capital Territory — specifically for poor and underprivileged children. This initiative alone has contributed to reducing the number of out-of-school children in line with the Federal Government’s Universal Basic Education goals.

He also pioneered Nigeria’s first free technical college for girls, aimed at equipping young women with practical skills before advancing to tertiary institutions. In a similar groundbreaking move, he established the first tuition-free school for children living with autism and Down syndrome, fully funded through church tithes and offerings.

In the health sector, Apostle Chibuzor built two state-of-the-art free specialist hospitals offering comprehensive maternal care, from registration to delivery, including surgical interventions — all at no cost to patients. This initiative directly addresses Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate, especially among the poor who lack access to quality healthcare.

In a country grappling with youth unemployment, OPM under Apostle Chibuzor has established Nigeria’s largest free multi-skills acquisition center in Port Harcourt. Over 40,000 Nigerians have been trained in more than 20 vocational skills, empowering them to become self-reliant and reducing reliance on government jobs.

Apostle Chibuzor has also offered over 10,000 scholarships, both locally and abroad, to indigent students pursuing higher education in countries such as Turkey, Cyprus, Poland, the USA, Benin Republic, and Nigeria. Many of these beneficiaries have graduated, while others remain in school — a contribution that bolsters Nigeria’s human capital development.

In 2022, following the tragic killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy, Apostle Chibuzor intervened to prevent what could have escalated into a religious crisis. He relocated the victim’s family to Port Harcourt, gifted them a 13-unit mini estate, opened a canteen for the mother, provided a vehicle for the father, and awarded full scholarships to all of Deborah’s siblings. His swift intervention was widely seen as an act of national healing.

Given these tangible, verifiable contributions to Nigeria’s social and economic fabric, many observers believe it is a disservice to omit Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere from national recognition.

“While God remains the ultimate rewarder of good deeds, it is only fitting that Nigeria acknowledges a man who has tirelessly served the poor, the vulnerable, and the nation at large,” one supporter said.

As the country continues to honour citizens whose actions uplift the nation, the call grows louder for the Presidency to recognize King Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere with a National Honours Award — a gesture that would not only encourage continued humanitarian service but also reflect the country’s appreciation for transformative leadership beyond politics.