Ondo South 2023: The Reflection of a Loaded and Needed Titan – a man who believes in human capital development which is the replica of Awoism
Mathew Oye Oyerinmade, popularly called MATO, a Soccer Ambassador was born on 27th May, 1967 in Okeigbo community, Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government area of Ondo State.
His father was a prominent High Chief of Okeigbo land. He was given a chieftaincy title – Agoro of Okeigbo kingdom while his mother was a renowned and successful business woman in kolanut cash crop within the then western region and beyond.
Because of the selfless services and involvements of his father in the community, his father’s house did not only become a rally point in the community but also the headquarters of knowledge acquisition and strategy for all the progressives.
He attended St. John’s Primary School, Okeigbo in Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government area of Ondo State. He proceeded to Oloroke Grammar School, Okeigbo and obtained O’Level Certificate.
In 1990, he was admitted to Ondo State University now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti to study Social Studies Education and graduated in 1995.
While at Ondo State University, he was elected representative of his department in the Students Representative Council (SRC). At SRC, he was also elected the speaker. This position launched him and became big voice during a Military regime for the agitation of Nigerian Students for a Democratic Order. His progressive activities place him in the front burner of agitation for a Democratic rule and became one of those who championed the course against obnoxious and draconian policy of the then Military Government in 1992 for a reduction in school fees of Primary and Secondary School Students in Ondo State.
He did his NYSC in Rivers State with the Shell Petroleum Development Company where he was exposed to the occupational demands of the oil and gas business and community relation responsibilities.
During his service at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), He married his dealing wife, Angela Nkem from Delta State in year 2000.
For the purpose of advancement, he went for his PGD at Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. He also acquired his Master’s degree in Business Administration at the same university
He is a member of three professional bodies: Nigeria Institute of Management, Institute of Development Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Strategic Management.
Because of his kin interest in sports, he used to mobilize and galvanize talented footballers in his environment and provided an opportunity for healthy competition among communities, schools and neighborhood for the purpose of unity and human capital development even at his younger age.
He believes in the Ideology of the progressive as he was one of the youths recruited to advocate for the emergence of the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O Abiola, who run on the platform of SDP as Presidential Candidate in 1993 general elections whose election was however annulled by the then Military Government. He was very active and participated strongly in the struggles for the actualization of June 12 mandate.
He believes in human capital development which is the replica of Awoism, having exposed to its principles and leading actors from the young age.
Having served as the speaker of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), he was one of the advocators of the National Association of Nigerian Students and a mobiliser for SDP party in 1993 presidential elections, he provided financial and material support for most of his friends and comrades who had undergone different political adventures at one time or the other.
His political honeymoon was always very brief as he has always helped to galvanise several political interest to attaining their ambitions year in and year out.
He is a man of impregnable integrity and ingenuity. Above all, he is a God-fearing man contesting for the Ondo South Senatorial seat.
