The demise of Dr. Daniel Matse Orere is regrettably sad and untimely for the family and loved once as he deliberately touched the lives of those that crossed his path positively.
This was a generous and kind man who lived his life to ensure that people lived a good life. The beautiful memories he left behind made it impossible for those who were at the service of songs and funeral service at the Church of Transfiguration, VGC, Lekki, Lagos last weekend to control their emotions.
He was known as a colossus in the valley of kindness to humanity who has now left a vacuum that will take a great while to fill especially in the Orere dynasty.

The writing of Uncle Dan’s tribute is a sad ending for a really good story. This was a man whom you meet and you are left with a profound impact because he always want to make you feel welcome at anytime.
His commitment to his wife, Dora and children, Mrs. Doreen Akpintansoye, Diane, Donald and Dennis were example to every one who knew Dr. Daniel Orere. In the words of his first daughter, Doreen, “ Dad was only with us in September and specifically requested that we all took a family photo. Little did I know that it would be the last.
“Your passion for people to succeed and how you invested in our lives and extended family will never be forgotten,” she noted. As for Donald, his first son, dad taught him the importance of integrity, loyalty, humility and the remarkable power of emotional and financial generosity.

“One of the most admirable qualities about you was your ability to stay calm and unperturbed even in the face of adversity. You were a pillar of strength during challenging times, giving words of encouragement and restoring confidence” he further noted.

The wife, aunty Dora, described her husband whom she calls darling D, as a man of style and class, a man of high standard, a man of panache and an inestimable jewel. “You were all embracing, all encompassing, all loving, all protective of us your family. You were an enigma, a legend and a special brand. You were generous to a fault, too kind even though sometime your gesture were misunderstood.”

She expressed her gratitude to her loving husband for sustaining and supporting her throughout her years in the civil service when she had the privilege of working in the highest office in the land at the state house with four heads of state of Nigeria including the current President Muhammadu Buhari.
An inlaw of Uncle Dan who is the younger brother of the wife, Greg Enahoro stated that Bros D’ was not just an inlaw but a father, being there right from when he was in secondary school. “What about after school, my business and social life. He impacted greatly on me. May God grant his soul eternal rest and let perpetual light shine on him.

In her words, “Darling D, I can go on and on and talk about you forever. The way you spoilt me financially, spiritually, morally and physically cannot be overemphasized. You always wanted me to remain your princes and treated me as such. I will remain ever grateful to you forever for the sterling qualities you exhibited and imbibed in me throughout the forty seven years that I had known you.”

The life Uncle Dan lived was remarkable and this was noticed during the service of songs when almost everyone who gave tributes broke down in tears. On the next day during the requiem mass, a close associate and colleague of Dr. Daniel Orere at the National oil Company, the governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi could not find words to describe his late friend, but said that, “ I became emotional when I saw the coffin and the reality of death came upon me,”

Dr. Daniel Matse Orere was born on the 28th August 1948 in Lagos. He descended from the royal family of Okolo from Amuokolo where the name of the village Okwuokolo is derived.
He started his primary education in 1954 at African One Primary school Apapa and continued his secondary education in Ibadan boys high school where he obtained division one in WASCE in 1966. He began his A-levels at Federal government college Warri but had to leave during the civil war to complete them at Kings College Lagos, after which he was admitted into University of Ibadan in 1969.

In 1970 he was awarded a federal government scholarship to study Applied Chemistry at the People’s Friendship University of Russia, then popularly known as Patrice Lumumba, where he obtained both his BSc and MSc.
With a strong zeal for success he subsequently decided to pursue his PhD at Kings College, University of London in 1974 under the supervision of Professor CB Rees. During his time at Kings College he published several scientific journals and obtained his doctorate in 1978.

Dr. Daniel Matse- Orere returned to Nigeria in 1978 and worked with the FDA (Now NAFDAC) as Senior Scientific Officer. In 1980, he joined National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company(NOLCHEM) a subsidiary of Shell petroleum company, London.

Whilst at NOLCHEM he worked in various roles, including Aerosol plant manager from 1982-1985; District manager supervising all company activities in old Bendel, Kwara and Ondo states from 1985-1990; Lubricants manager responsible for the production and marketing of all lubricant products from 1990-1993 and chemical manager from 1993-1997. In 1992 he was appointed Director of the “SEACH” programme- a worldwide assignment by Shell international petroleum company designed to improve the value of production and reduce the cost of activities and output.

He was the chairman of the committee on monetization of benefits and a member of the profit improvement team. In recognition of his exemplary performance, he was appointed to the board of NOLCHEM as Executive Director in 1998, a position he occupied until he voluntarily retired in 2001.

Following his retirement he had a brief stint at FAMAD Nigeria Plc as Managing Director/CEO. While at FAMAD, he implemented a five year strategic plan and pursued the company’s corporate strategy assiduously.
Dr. Daniel Matse-Orere met Dora nee Enahoro in 1970 while he was lead vocalist with a famous band called the Tropicans in Soviet Union where he would constantly serenade her. With his sonorous voice and great panache he charmed her into a three year relationship which blossomed into marriage on the 13th October 1973. They were married for 44 blissful years and are blessed with four children: Doreen, Diane, Donald and Dennis popularly known as the “D” family. He is also blessed with five adorable grand children, to God be the glory.

In 2011, he was appointed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a member of the presidential visitation panel to the University of Ibadan. Until his death, he was the Chairman of Dordan Group of companies and EGC group, an indigenous consultancy, engineering and procurement group operating in the downstream oil and gas sector.
May his soul rest in peace.