MATHEW OYE OYERINMADE: A NEW VISION FOR ONDO SOUTH
By: Abdulrahman Abdullateef (Akure, Nigeria)
Society has a better chance of achieving greatness, with the appropriate leader in place. John F Kennedy in one of his famous quotations once said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” This is simply a challenge for everyone to contribute to the development, advancement of the nation and this exactly is what Mathew Oye Oyerinmade intends to do for his people.
Mathew Oyerinmade popularly called ‘MATO’ is a man of many parts, a successful businessman and philanthropist who has made massive contributions to the growth of his people through empowerment, and community development programs. He was born into the family of the High Chief Agoro of Okeigbo Kingdom in Oke-Igbo, a major town in Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government area of Ondo State on the 27th of May 1967 as the last child of 12 children. Mathew as a child grew up to be an “Awoist” having been exposed to the ideals and principles of Awolowo’s vision as many Yoruba indigenes with the help of his parents. Therefore, his interest in politics began at a very young age through the influence of his parent as their family home became the head-quarter of a progressive government community development.
Education is a crucial factor Mathew clung to since it is said to be the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Thus, he began his primary education at St. John’s Primary School, Okeigbo where he excelled academically and furthered to Oloroke Grammar School Okeigbo for his O’Levels. He was admitted into Ondo State University between 1990 and 1995 where he graduated with B. Ed Hons in Social Studies. As an extrovert, his nature allowed him to interact with other progressive thinkers, broadening his political viewpoint. His thirst for learning led him to Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he earned his PGD and Master’s degrees in Business Studies and Business Administration. Mathew obeyed the clarion call to serve Nigeria as a corp member with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Rivers State, where he was exposed to the occupational demands of the oil and gas business as well as the duties of community relations.
The 55-year-old took his first political steps as a representative of his department as the students’ representative council of the then Ondo State University, now Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti, and later as the speaker at the forefront against the Military regime and the agitation of Nigerian Students for a Democratic Order. Also, he was one of those who championed the course against the obnoxious and draconian policy of the then Military Government in 1992 for a reduction in school fees for Primary and Secondary Students in Ondo State. Due to his belief in progressive Ideologies, he became an activist within theNational Association of Nigerian Students and a mobilizer in the SDP 1993 presidential election which was annulled. However, he has continued to fight for the implementation of the June 12 mandate.
However, before politics, he cut his teeth in the corporate world between 1996 and 1998 when he worked at the Shell Development Company in Port-Harcourt as the Lands Officer and rose to the position of Community Liaison Officer between 1998 and 2004. As someone who has discharged his duties with utmost dexterity, he equipped himself with the capacity to effectively manage human and material resources which led to the establishment of his own private business named ANCHOR MARIC NIGERIA LIMITED, an Oil and Gas Servicing company. It is worth noting that his firm has conducted several notable initiatives that have greatly benefited humanity. His ambition for more economic power, administrative and organizational ingenuity, and his strong awareness of the necessity of human capital development drove him to invest more in the oil and gas industry, which provided him with an unusual opportunity to serve as the Chairman, of the Board of Directors in the following companies which are; Anchor Maric Nigeria Limited, Mattan Global Limited, House Paints And Coating Limited Titan Bolting Solution Technology Nigeria Limited and Anchor Maric Usa Llc. He is an associate member, of the Nigeria Institute of Management, Institute of Development Association of Nigeria, and a full member, of the Institute of Strategic Management
Mathew Oyerinmade is a patriotic Nigerian and a philanthropist who has provided financial and material support to friends and associates, most importantly his community which has benefited from his generosity. As a family man, his desire to represent Ondo South Senatorial District in 2023 is driven by a genuine love for his people.
MATO believes a political office is a call to serve and he is qualified to serve his people under the The All-ProgressiveCongress (APC). His track record is flawless, owing to his sincerity, transparency, neutrality, and devotion to creating a society that can accommodate all schools of thought with views that are susceptible to modification, debate, constructive criticism, recommendations, and improvement regularly. It would be a game changer if the APC elect MATO at her forthcoming primary elections, victory is certain with him as he stands out from the crowd.