The Lagos State Government’s demolition of the Omega Power Ministry (OPM) free school in Lagos has sparked widespread outrage. The school, built by HRM King Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, provided free education to orphans and children of widows.
On Wednesday 8th January, 2025 operatives of the state government’s Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Lamata) stormed the school premises while the children where learning and started demolishing the property.
The State Government is currently facing criticism for offering N123 million as compensation for the demolition of free schools property valued at N900 million. The demolition is part of the government’s efforts to redevelop the area for what it called ‘Quality Bus Corridor project’.
Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the General Overseer of OPM, expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offer, stating that it is “pure wickedness” to offer such a low amount for a property worth N900 million. He also alleged that LAMATA has been negotiating with fake representatives of the church.
Lamata, however, maintains that the compensation reflects the depreciated value of the buildings on the land. Kola Ojelabi, the head of corporate communications for Lamata, stated that the government has revoked the land, and therefore, the compensation is for the property on the land, not the land itself.
The situation remains tense, with the church vowing to seek legal action and appeal for intervention from the state government. The demolition continues unabated, despite the commotion and heated exchanges between church members and Lamata representatives.
At the moment the fate of the orphans and less privileged school children remain uncertain.
Apostle Chibuzor runs over 30 FREE Schools for poor out of school children across all regions of the country.
