RT. REV. MATTHEW AKHAZE OKPEBHOLO... THE UNCOMMON PHILANTHROPIST OF OUR TIME!

RT. REV. MATTHEW AKHAZE OKPEBHOLO... THE UNCOMMON PHILANTHROPIST OF OUR TIME! 

BY _Fidel Odiase_ 

 *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 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:* 

All thanks to Rt. Rev. Matthew Okpebholo for coming to our rescue... Federal Road Accros Edo Central Has Been A Nightmare For Some Months Now, But It's Gradually Becoming History Now because of his usual way of helping his people.

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:

 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 program so far, and it is for five hundred students yearly. The cash value for this grant is Fifty Thousand (N50,000.00) per student.

Built and fully equipped e-law libraries in the Faculty of Law, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State. He 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.

 Started Prison Mission about two decades ago with the provision of legal aid services for those awaiting trial and paying fines. He has also reunited those released from prison with their various families and empowered some of them within his establishment.

Set up a mini micro-finance scheme to assist widows and young single parents to raise their children and some on a monthly allowance.

Free medical services for the sick and several surgeries fully paid for by his foundation.

 For the past two decades, he has single-handedly roofed Churches that have come to him for assistance and this cut across all denominations.

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 Indigentgent patients in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, 2013.

" *Let us Celebrate our living legends like*  

 *Rt. Rev. Matthew Akhaze* *Okpebholo now* *that he is Alive"* 

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