More prosperity and good governance await Nigeria if the leaders adopt the Michael Okpara Leadership model that excelled in selfless service, agriculture, and industrialization.
Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma stated this yesterday during the Michael Okpara Leadership Prize awards in Abuja.
Uzodimma, whose lecture was titled: Service Above Self: Lessons from the Leadership Philosophy of Dr Michael Okpara, noted that Okpara was able to make the Eastern Region ‘s economy the fastest growing one in Africa because of his leadership model.
“If only our political leaders of today could emulate the leadership virtues of Dr Michael Okpara, our country would be better and more prosperous,” he said.
He noted that those virtues were characterized by selfless service, integrity, vision and inclusivity, which brought about rapid growth in the region.
Uzodimma, who was also bestowed with the Premier’s Grand Prize, Gold Plaque Category award by the organisers, urged Nigerians to concentrate more on rendering selfless service rather than pursuing personal aggrandisement.
The late Okpara, who was Premier of the Eastern Region, made up of states in modern Southeat and Southsouth region, served between 1959 and January 15, 1966.
Read Also: Uzodimma cracks down on disloyal appointees
Born in 1920, he became the Premier having served under the tutelage of the independent President of Nigeria Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Okpara, who went into exile after the coup that ousted the first republic in which the premiers of Northern region Sir Amadu Bello and Western Region Chief Samuel AKintola were assassinated.
Okpara returned from excile in 1981 and died in 1984.
He also called for a greater commitment to the development of the country by Nigerians themselves, instead of mere passing of bucks.
Uzodimma expressed optimism that Nigeria would attain its full potential when the citizens display unparallel patriotism, as demonstrated by the late Premier.
He said Okpara’s legacies will continue to “ inspire not just our generation but generations to come”
The governor commended the organisers for the lecture series, which was a way of keeping Okpara’s legacies alive.
But he regretted that Okpara had not been properly honoured by Nigeria. “ In my view, Okpara remains a hero in Nigeria who has not been properly sung”
Cross River Governor Bassey Otu described Okpara as his hero because of the monumental development he achieved in the former Eastern Region.
According to him, most of the agricultural policies being implemented by his administration in Cross River State were derived from the legacies of Okpara.
The Chairman on the occasion and former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim praised the organisers for keeping the memory of the late premier alive.
Senator Anyim also eulogized Governor Uzodimma for his thought-provoking lecture and urged Nigerians to imbibe the recommendations from the lecture.
The ceremony was attended by former First Lady Patience Jonathan, who described Okpra as her maternal uncle, the governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammwd, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, former governor of Cross River State, Sir Clement Ebri, Industrialist, Chief Arthur Eze and prominent political figures and traditional rulers.