By Honours Akhigbe, Idahosa Moses
It was showers of encomium in Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Tuesday 7, February, 2017 when three roads totaling 1.1 kilometeres of roads situated in the main campus of the University which was philanthropically constructed and donated to the school by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ray Royal Construction Company, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo, was been commissioned.
The road, project which was estimated to have worth over N350milion is one of the donor’s unquantifiable philanthropic gestures to humanity, as he has positively affected virtually all facets of mankind.
The commissioning ceremony attracted dignitaries from all walks of life as the completed roads were commissioned by the Pro-Chancellor cum Chairman of the Governing Council of the school, HRH (Prof.) Gregory Akenzua, OON, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa and Abudu.
In his short speech, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, HRH (Prof.) Gregory Akenzua described the donor as a man with many positive parts, stressing that his philanthropic activities are done without expecting reward from the beneficiaries.
Prof. Akenzua thanked the man of God for contributing to the growth and development of the state in particular and Nigeria in general.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo expressed appreciation to the donor Rt. Dr. Rev. Okpebholo for making a reality his promise to the school.
He disclosed that Bishop Okpebholo had during the 14th Matriculation Ceremony of the institution pledged to construct and donate three roads totaling 1.1 kilometers out of the 14 kilometeres of the road requiring construction in AAU.
“True to his pledge, as soon as the raining season subsided in November, he moved to the site. And within five months completed the construction and tarring of the roads totaling 1.1 kilometeres”, he said.
Prof. Onimawo noted that since the inception of the school, the Bishop of the Church of God Mission International, Uromi, Rt. Rev. Okpebholo has been a partner in the growth and development of the University, adding that since the late 80s, the man of God has made it an annual ritual to be grading roads within the school for free of charge.
Recalling some of the giant strides made by the donor to the school, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said that in 2005, Bishop Okpebholo constructed the road leading from Ekpoma town to Emuado Annex spanning over three kilometers, this he opined has opened up the Annex to hosting part-time, Diploma, Foundation and Agricultural Faculties, catering for over 10,000 students, which according to Prof. Onimawo was done on credit basis only to be paid for years after the commissioning.
He added that “in 2010, he built and fully equipped and donated to the University an e-Library in the Faculty of Law”, saying that the facility has made the faculty’s library one of the best in the country.
“Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo, we are eternally grateful for your generous and immeasurable contributions to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Your concern for the well-being, progress and development of the University is unprecedented and highly commendable. You are indeed a man of God with heart of gold”, Prof. Onimawo confessed.
Responding, the roads donor, Bishop Okpebholo informed that the passion to embarked on the project was borne out of the divine direction of God to affect humanity positively hence, he gave God the credit.
“This is God’s project. I mean, what you are seeing today is God’s handiwork. I do not want to take credit for it at all because I cannot do it by myself. I pray for God to empower us again to do more for humanity”.
He noted that his philanthropic gestures are divinely directed, stressing he doesn’t go by request. “I don’t go by request. God is the one who tells me what I am doing. What I am doing today is God and if God asked me to do something that is what I do.
“In other words, most of the things I am doing are beyond what one man can think. If I listen to man, I will not be able to achieve what I am achieving today. So, most of the things I have done over the years were not done on request but by divine directive and it has been helping me; moving on all along.
Speaking with The Reliance shortly after the event, the wife of the great philanthropist, Rev. (Mrs.) Veronica Okpebholo stated that she were elated that her family were been honoured by great people, just as she thanked God for the honour done on them.
She stated that “whatever you see happening today, it is God that is leading us to do it. So whatever he asks us to do, that is what we will do and as you obey his directive, you see thing moving on well”.
But to Apostle Ehijele Unuefan, “Rev. Okpebholo Philanthropic activities are not informed by his wherewithal; rather, it is their passion to alleviate poverty from the society. It is because of their passion towards the development of the society.
“And any true man of God cannot see a situation where students are trekking, suffering amenities and will not want to assist. So, Bishop. Okpebholo in my submission is a man sent by God to affect the lives of the down trodden in the society positively.
Others in their separates reactions thanked Rt. Rev, Okpebholo for bringing succor to the perennial problem in AAU, just as they prayed God to grant him long life and prosperity.
Who Is Rt. Rev. Matthew Akhaze Okpebholo?
Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew A. Okpebholo (JP) was born on “Mid-day”, “Mid-Week”, “Mid-Month”, “Mid-Year” and “Mid Century” (15th June, 1950) to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Okpebholo in Uromi. He had a very humble beginning with little education while growing up. His great desire to be self-reliant made him to opt for technical skills acquisition. Within a very short time, his business blossomed and eventually, he established Royal Steel Works in 1970 which later metamorphosed into Ray Royal Construction Company Limited in 1976. The Company is community driven and poised for youth development and as such it prioritized the empowerment of youths over the maximization of profit.
Today, his company has become a major employer of labour with over 500 staff including foreigners. His company has its headquarters at Uromi with branches in Abuja, Lagos, Warri and Kaduna. His company has become a major hub for construction materials in Nigeria. His quarries, asphalt plants, concrete mix batching plants, supplies construction materials to major players in the construction industry. Little wonder the company has been aptly described as “a one stop shop for all construction materials / equipment”.
He has facilitated and attended various seminars/workshops and conferences within and outside the country.
He is happily married to Rev. Mrs. Veronica Okpebholo and they are blessed with children and grand-children.
PHILANTH·ROPIC ACTIVITIES:
As a result of his love for education and the empowerment of the downtrodden, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew A. Okpebholo (JP) has over the years put smiles on the faces of many people across the nation. Some of his very many philanthropic activities are as listed below:
Ø Instituted an annual research grant for indigent final year University and Polytechnic Students and this has been running for almost two decades. More than Six Thousand Students have benefited from this programme so far, and it is for five hundred students yearly. The cash value for this grant is Fifty Thousand (N50,000.00) per student.
Ø Built and fully equipped e-law libraries in the Faculty of Law, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State
Ø Has constructed access roads in the University of Benin, (UNIBEN) Benin City and Benson Idahosa University, (BID) Benin City. Just completed three (3) roads in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (just commissioned), and Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa (ongoing).
Ø Started Prison Mission about two decades ago with the provision of legal aid services for those awaiting trial and paying of fines. He has also reunited those released from prison with their various families and empowered some of them within his establishment.
Ø Set up a mini micro-finance scheme to assist widows and young single parents to raise their children and some on a monthly allowance.
Ø Free medical services for the sick and several surgeries fully paid by his foundation.
Ø For the past two decades, he has single handedly roofed Churches that have come to him for assistance and this cut across all denominations.
Ø Yearly grant to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (for their indigent patient release and welfare).
AWARDS/LAURELS
As a result of his philanthropic activities, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew A. Okpebholo has been conferred with over 167 awards and laurels. Some of which are:
- Honorary Degree Doctor of Science (Engineering), Igbinedion University, Okada (2013).
- Honorary Degree Doctor of Science (D. Sc) University of Benin, Benin City, (2014).
- EPICOSPAC Award of Excellence by the Diocese of Esan, Anglican Communion, 24th June, 2014.
- Justice of Peace 1993, Edo State Ministry of Justice.
- Presiding Bishop Merit Award (2003) by Bishop Benson Idahosa.
- Consecrated Bishop of Church of God Mission Int1 (CGMi)-2015.
- Award in Recognition of commitment and support through the prompt payment of taxes in Edo State (2016).
- Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), National Service Award for his commitment to charity and Nation Building (2016).
- Recognition of contribution to the pastoral and structural development of Uromi Catholic Diocese by His Holiness Pope Francis (2016).
- Award of Recognition for Invaluable Assistance to Indegent patients in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, 2013.
PUBLISHED BOOKS - My story: 60 years of Partnering with God (an autobiography written on his 60th birthday in 2010).
- Simple Principles to God’s Blessings: Marriage and Family
- Simple Principles to God’s Blessing: Handling Challenges and Disappointments.
- Simple Principles to God’s Blessings: Managing Wealth and Christianity.
Simple Principles to God’s Blessings: Starting and Staying in Business.
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