By Sonnie NwosuÂ
The Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre was Agog on Thursday 22nd August when the launching of the Institute’s building prototype was unveiled amidst dignitaries from far and wide, by the Michael Okpara Foundation.
The occasion was in commemoration of Dr. Michael Okpara’s iconic Leadership as the former premier of the old Eastern region comprising present day Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebony, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa States, which was rated as the fastest growing economy by the world’s index at that time.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Michael Okpara Foundation and son of the honoured, Chief Uzodinma Okpara began with thanks and eulogies on the distinguished personalities present at the event.
He stated the that the Foundation was initiated by. Chief Bob Ogbuagu, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and others many years ago but he took over after their demise.
He narrated how the fastest growing economy started from a visit to Port Harcourt when Dr. Michael Okpara announced that nobody will hungry in the Eastern region because he will embark on massive agricultural and industrial projects that will offer employment to mam people.
He added that putting actions to his words, Okpara established various industries that include, Golden Guinea breweries and a host of industrial estates across the length and breath of the region without discrimination, like the Obudu Ranch, Calabar and Nkalagu cement factories.
The Chairman of the occasion, former Senate president and SGF, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, said that he did a research on the person of Dr. Michael Okpara’s activities when he was a beneficiary of Dr. Michael Okpara University scholarship and discovered that no Nigerian has impacted positively on the lives of his people like Dr. Michael Okpara in human capital development that saw the establishment of numerous industrial clusters with condusive environment to engender growth.
“He established palm, rubber and cashew plantations that facilitated the rapid development of the entire Eastern region”.
The Chief host of the occasion, Dr. Alex Otti, represented by Hon. Obi Aguocha of the Ikwuano constituency in the Abia State House delivered the governor’s speech which dealt extensively on the numerous accomplishments and legacy of Dr. Michael Okpara.
He averred that governor Otti has modeled his administration in the pattern of Dr. Michael Okpara by sending over 300 farmers to Nassarawa State to acquire knowledge in agricultural businesses and equipping them with the necessary tools and funds to practise what they have have learnt in Nassarawa, in order to trigger massive agro revolution in Abia State.
Chief Arthur Eze in his good will message recognized the virtues of Dr. Michael Okpara in a very heart touching enumeration of his numerous achievements in politics that earned him the sobriquet, Power Mike
Chief Nedd Nwoko spoke on the prudent manner Dr. Okpara managed the resources of the entire Eastern region by utilising the funds for real people oriented programmes.
Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, guest speaker of the event went down the memory lane to recall the impeccable virtues of Dr. Michael Okpara as a strong a d courageous leader whose leadership footsteps is worthy of emulation.
He averred that the topic of lecture “Service above self in the service of the people” was given light through the pages of books written by various authors who described him as an enigma of great repute in his meritorious service to the people of the old Eastern Nigeria
He opined that loyalty is a veritable quality to excell in politics and any career that characterized the life of Dr. Michael Okpara which he gave to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as an ardent follower of the zikist movement, during the political battle of supremacy in the early years of politics in Nigeria.
Governor of CROSS River State, Bassey Otu rendered what can be described as his manifesto for the people of his state with the opportunity to give a goodwill message while praising Dr. Okpara’s yet to be equalled achievements.
Governor of Ebonyi State H. E. Francis Nwifurua represented by the female deputy governor who harped on the usefulness of women when given the recognition to handle leadership position citing herself as a perfect example.
Dignitaries at the. occasion include H. E. Dame Patience Jonathan who came as a special guest of honour, representatives of absenty governors and HRM. Sir, Uzo Nwosu MFR of Ohuhu Umuahia, Abia State as well as a huge crowd of Dr. Michael Okpara’s admirers.