The Rivers State Government has summoned Chibuzor Chinyere, general overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), over plans to arrange the marriage of his 21-year-old autistic adopted daughter. Lauretta Dimpka, permanent secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, disclosed the action during a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The move follows widespread public concern after Mr Chinyere offered incentives to potential suitors for the woman. Mrs Dimpka stated the arrangement violated the Child's Rights Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which mandate protections for minors and people with special needs. She emphasized that while the cleric's intentions may have been well-meaning, they did not meet legal standards for child protection. All orphanages and childcare facilities in the state, including faith-based ones, must register with the ministry and comply with regulatory requirements, she said. Mrs Dimpka confirmed Mr Chinyere had honored the government's invitation and expressed willingness to comply. He admitted a lack of awareness about existing regulations, calling the meeting "an eye-opener" and pledging immediate corrective action.
Chibuzor Chinyere promoted a marriage for his autistic daughter while claiming ignorance of laws meant to protect such vulnerable individuals, exposing a gap between religious practice and legal responsibility. His admission of non-compliance suggests children in unregistered faith-based homes may be at risk of similar unchecked decisions. Nigerians relying on informal childcare systems now face scrutiny over whether their guardians understand basic legal safeguards. The state's intervention reveals how easily well-intentioned actions can breach rights when oversight is absent.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
