A movie enthusiast and Chief Executive Officer of Wogstudios, Matthew Yomi Wonderful will be honored with a Distinguished Community Service Award at the forthcoming Ekinrin-Adde Day celebrations scheduled for 21st of June 2024.

In a statement by the spokesman of the Community Development Association, Adewale Victor Adekanye stated that Distinguished Community Service Award is a category of award that honours indigenous people of the community who are committed to offering their God-given human and material resources to partake in the growth and development of the Community.

Mathew Yomi Wonderful was born on 12th September 1988 into the family of Pastor Mathew Folorunsho of the Esein Omo’ekun clan in Otun-Adde of Ekirin-Adde, Ijumu Local Government, Kogi State, Nigeria.

He was born in Ilorin, where his father was pastoring as a young man with his heartthrob, Prophetess Catherine Mathew, before being transferred to Kabba to head the branch of the Church.

Yomi Wonderful attended St. Mary’s Primary School, Kabba, and St. Barnabas Secondary School, Kabba. In 2006, despite being young, he started his career as an entertainer on the school assembly as a comedian and MC of inter-class competitions. He prepared graphic designs for inter-class football competitions. Due to one of the most interesting playlets he featured in during his junior class, he was nicknamed “Papa na America.”

Due to his love for the media, he started the drama group in his dad’s church and shot his first film in 2003 when he was in JSS3. This led to the establishment of his first organization, SIMDRAM FILMS (Sinai Miracle Drama Ministry). This drama group became a household name in Kabba, Kogi State, and parts of Nigeria, receiving awards from ANCEDRAM and others. He has produced several movies, musical videos, and skits in his name and for Nigerian campuses such as Crown Polytechnics Ilawe, Kogi State University Anyigba, Lagos State University, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and FCE Okene.

After exploring movies and films, he gained admission into Kogi State University, Anyigba, intending to study Mass Communication but was offered Philosophy and Religious Studies. Despite having experience in the media industry, he accepted the course and later developed great passion for it, seeing the value in having diverse knowledge rather than studying Mass Communication, which he already had practical knowledge of.

At Kogi State University, now Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) Anyigba, he explored the campus with media training, even teaching Mass Communication students, campus fellowships, and working with radio and TV stations. He also served as a non-linear editor (computer-based video editing) at NTA Kabba under the management of Engr Jonah.

Yomi Wonderful attended several upgrade courses, workshops, and online training sessions and mentored by professionals in the media field.

After graduating from the university, his first engagement was with the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Rafindadi, connected by a friend, Chris Yahayah, who believed in his media potential. He prepared the VC’s terminal report in video format and engaged in other media activities for the University, such as creating jingles and publicity.

He also worked directly for former governors on media-related needs, such as the late Prince Abubakar Audu, former Governor of Kogi State, Adams Oshiomhole in the “Keep Edo Clean” campaign on TV and radio, and former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Arch Yomi Awoniyi, among others.

Yomi Wonderful served as the media aide for various federal government projects such as “Eye on the Road” for FERMA (Federal Road Maintenance Agency) and Youth Empowerment Social Support Operations (YESSO).

He has impacted knowledge in over 150 youths in media-related fields such as photography, videography, video editing, live streaming, and media strategies.

Yomi Wonderful is a multi-talented expert in singing, acting, instrumentation, creative direction, life coaching, and public speaking. He has received several awards, such as the Global Recognition Award, UK, Projector News Awards, and The Youth Nation Award.

He is currently the CEO of Wogs Global Limited, Wog Studios, WOGtv, OCDEI, and B&B Food Court. He is also the Studio Manager of Ekinrin Adde Community Radio (Akogba FM).

He is married to Mathew Bamitale Omolara, who is also an indigene of Ote-Mekun of the Ilaga clan. They are blessed with two children, Ireayomide Bright and Morenikeji Bernice.