Sir (Chief) Matthew Mkpelonye Nwaka (KSJI) was born on Thursday, September 3, 1942 into the respectable family of Mr. Dennis Gwamnishu Nwaka and Maria  Eleanor Nwaka at Ewu in present day Edo State, Nigeria.

After his primary school education he attended Urhobo College, Effurun for his secondary education. For his tertiary education, he attended the college of Agriculture in Akure and upon completion proceeded to the Moor Plantation School of Agriculture Ibadan where he bagged a Higher National Diploma(HND) in Agriculture.

Upon the successful completion of his tertiary education, he was, as a young 24 year old, employed by the Civil Service of the then Midwest Region and posted, in 1967 to the Mbiri Farm Settlement (near Umunede in present day Delta State) as Second in Command to the Head of that Establishment where he successfully discharged his official duties efficiently.

As is the case in the career of any civil servant, the young Matthew was later posted,at different times, to the Agbor Area Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (January,1970 after the Nigerian civil war ended), the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria plantation, Iyanomo(near Benin City), Ogba Government Farms, the Extension Services Office in the Okha-Ologbo zone, Benin West Division, the Ogbemudia Farms Ltd.

His unblemished career in the civil service also saw him appointed to superintend over the World Bank assisted "Small Growers" Oil Palm  scheme first in Mosogar(near Sapele and thereafter in Ejeme-Unor) both in present day Delta State in the early 1970s.

His record of achievements in public service earned him plaudits from far and wide.

After his sudden retirement from public service, he worked with several private sector Agricultural Organizations for periods spanning over three decades such as 

Tiffany Bendel Farms Ltd, Agenegbode

Copane Farms Ltd,Onicha Olona

Kasikwu Farms Ltd

Orikeze Farms Ltd, Agbor

Kingsgoff  Nig. Ltd

Bendel Mechanised Farms Ltd

Presco Oil Mills and Plantation Ltd (now Presco Plc)

All as a Manager or General Manager, and finally, at the Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) as a Contractor. 

He voluntarily disengaged from his NIFOR contract upon attaining the age of 70 years.

The late Sir (Chief) Matthew Mkpelonye Nwaka is survived by his wife, Lady (Lolo) Patricia Nneka Nwaka(KSJI), children, in-laws, grandchildren, sisters, nephews, nieces, other paternal and maternal relatives, friends and well wishers.

The late Sir (Chief) Matthew Mkpelonye Nwaka was actively involved in the Church as well as several organaisaions such as the Catholic Men's Organisation, Order of The Knights of St. John International (KSJI- where he rose through the ranks to attain rank of a "Noble", the pinnacle of ranks attainable in the Order), Ogwashi-Uku Development Union (Benin City branch) to mention a few.

Daddy was kindhearted, warm and was a Mentor to many.

He will be sorely missed.

Adieu Daddy.

Rest in the bosom of the Most High God,Amen.