A
BRIEF ON DR. DAVID MATTHEW
Born
into the Christian family of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Sule Okpe at
Ojuwo Igavillage of Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi
state in Nigeria on the 1st of October, 1960, David was declared
blind in 1968 at the Guiness Eye Clinic of Ahmadu Bello
University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. In April of 1970
he joined the School for Blind Children.
Between 1975 and 1980, he had his secondary school education at
Panyam, Plateau State, Nigeria. Remarkably, during this time he
was made a school prefect in '79 and was prominent amongst the
student evangelism team to villages. He was also Choirmaster for
three years despite his challenges.
In
1982, David bagged a National Diploma in Special Education from
the Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna and got a job thereafter was
integrated teacher at the Nakam Memorial Secondary School,
Panyam, where he founded both the Staff Braille Club and the
Recording Club for the Blind.
A
year later, he returned to the Kaduna Polytechnic in pursuit of
a Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation - a program he
graduated from in 1985 honorably.
In
October, 1985, David started a unit for the teaching of blind
children at Christian in Many Lands (CMML) Special school,
Iyale in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State and on the
4th of August, 1986 he became the Principal of the School till
date running a joint primary-secondary school programme leading
to the award of Senior School Certificate.
Besides Special Education and Rehabilitation Certificates, David
has trained and holds a Masters in Public Administration, B. A
and Maters in Religious Education as well as a Doctorate (PhD)
in Religious Eductaion.
Happily married to Deborah and blessed with a son Ilemona John
born on the 27th of May 1999, David is a founding member of
Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN),
a founding member and President of the Nigeria National
Federation of the Blind Incorporated, founding member and
President of Alimo Prison Ministries, Founder and Proprietor of
John Abah Memorial Special School, Ojuwo Iga.
David
also serves as the Chairman of the Joint National association of
Persons with Disabilities, Kogi State Chapter and has served as
Chairman, Board of Directors of Iyale Community Bank which has
now metamorphosed into Micro Finance Bank. |