Policeman, Entrepreneur
Matthew Teibor Etebu was an award-winning distributor of beverages for various brewing companies in Lagos State, Nigeria, during the 1960s. His hard work and commitment turned him into a successful businessman and a respected philanthropist, impacting lives across the Niger Delta and beyond.
Who Was Matthew Teibor Etebu?
Matthew Teibor Etebu (1932-2014) hailed from Odi town in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. A dedicated member of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Matthew’s journey to success was marked by resilience and determination. He became an award-winning distributor for Nigerian Breweries Limited and other companies in Lagos. Beyond his business acumen, he established several sought-after ventures in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was known for his philanthropic efforts.
Parents and Siblings
Matthew’s parents were Mr. Teibor Etebu and Mrs. Enwefa Etebu, both from Odi community. He had two surviving sisters, Mrs. Dallima Gbenzi and Mrs. Bassey Smart.
Early Life and Education
Born on October 5, 1932, in Odi town, Matthew was raised by his mother and elder brother, Kaye Etebu, who tragically died in a car accident. This loss greatly impacted Matthew’s educational pursuits, but he persevered. He attended St. Andrew CMS School Umuolu and Kaduna Government School, earning his First School Leaving Certificate. Determined to succeed, he took correspondence courses in Business Commerce and Store Keeping, which later proved invaluable.
Career History
Matthew began his career as a police officer in 1950, rising to the rank of Sergeant before voluntarily resigning in 1959. He then worked as a Store Keeper for the National Cash Register Company Limited, followed by a position with the Lagos City Council, which he left in 1965.
Beverage Distributor
In 1966, Matthew founded Ogien-Ama Trading Company in Lagos. The company quickly became a major distributor for several brewing companies, including Nigerian Breweries Limited and Guinness Nigeria Limited. His business acumen earned him numerous awards and substantial shares in these companies.
Construction Contractor
Following the Nigerian Civil War, Matthew relocated to Rivers State and established M.T Etebu and Company, a building and civil engineering firm. The company undertook significant projects, including the construction of Government Secondary School Odi and blocks of flats at Rumuibekwe Housing Estate in Port Harcourt.
Bookshop Owner
Matthew expanded his business ventures by opening Dennis Matthew and Company, a bookshop in Port Harcourt, to address the need for quality books and stationery.
Faith
Initially an Anglican, Matthew later converted to God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) in the late 1950s. He became a choir master and supported the establishment of new GKS branches in Port Harcourt and Odi.
Personal Life
Matthew married Mrs. Winneba Obudah-Ibe (nee Etebu) in 1954. They had several children, including Professor Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu, a renowned pathologist. In total, Matthew had twelve children and thirty-seven grandchildren.
Social Life
Matthew was passionate about education, sponsoring the education of many relatives and non-relatives. He was a true philanthropist, and his home served as a meeting point for the Ogien-Ama communities in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Death
Matthew Teibor Etebu passed away of natural causes on April 26, 2014, at the age of 82, surrounded by his family in Port Harcourt.
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
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