Matthew Adedeji, ICMA, was born on July 14, 1937 at Ikala, Ijebu Imusin, to the family of Pa Abraham Deji and Madam Julianah Adedeji. In 1948, when he was 11 years old, he started his elementary education at Ajebo United School, Ikala, moving later to St. Mary’s Anglican Primary School, Ijebu Imusin. In 1959, he attended Joint Provincial Teachers’ College, Shagamu, and obtained Teachers Grade II Certificate. Later, he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and then moved to the University of Lagos (the Nigerian civil war disrupted his studies in 1966) where he graduated with a B. Ed (Hons) in 1967.
In his distinguished teaching career, which ended in December 1989, Mr. Matthew Adedeji was a class teacher and school administrator in the following schools: L.A Secondary School Modern School, Ijebu Southern District Grammar School; St. Joseph Teacher Training College, Surulere, Lagos; Abudu Federal Teachers College (Senior Education Officer). He was Principal, Brendan’s Grammar School, Ogbere (1980-1983), and held the same post at Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, from May 1983 to December 1989. On retirement, he joined the services of Manila Nigeria Limited, Ijebu Ode, as Executive Director (Administration).
He served as Chairman, Board of Governors in a number of schools, including Adeola Odutola Nursery and Primary School, Ijebu Ode; Ijebu Anglican Diocesan College, Igan-Ipabi; and Ijebu Imusin Comprehensive High School, Ijebu Imusin. He was also Member, Board of Governors, Christ the King Catholic College, Ijebu Ode, and Ogun State Primary Education Board.
He rendered many selfless services to his community, Ijebu Imusin. At different times, he was a member of such bodies as ‘Electricity Committee’, Education Committee’, ‘Oloko Peace Committee’, ‘Committee for Raising of Oba Oloko’s Palace. He was President of Ijebu Imusin Planning Body from 1995-1997.
His services were not only for his community and humanity, but also for God. He was among the foundational members of the Anglican Youth Fellowship in the Church. For about twenty years, he was a member of the Parish Church Council of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijebu Imusin. For the most part of this period, he was Secretary and Synod Delegate, and was generally referred to as the ‘Church Historium’. His evangelical work went beyond the confines of Ijebu Imusin. He was People’s Warden/Treasurer, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Obalende, Ijebu Ode, and a member of Ijebu- Ode District Church Council. He was the President of Ijebu Anglican Diocesan Council of the Anglican Youth Fellowship of Nigeria until his death.
For his meritorious services to his community, he was honoured by Oba S. A. Onafowokan, the Oloko of Ijebu Imusin, with the distinguished Ijebu Imusin Merit Award in 1999. He won several other awards at the Zonal and State levels of ANCOPSS. He performed the holy pilgrimage in 1998.
