Gov Orji Calls on Politicians to Emulate Leadership Qualities of Late Dr. M.I.Okpara

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has called on politicians in the

country to emulate the leadership qualities of the former Premier of

Eastern Nigeria, late Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, saying that the sage

rendered selfless service to humanity during his life time.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor

Orji who made the call at a book launch titled 'Dr. The Hon. Michael

Iheonukara Okpara: Lessons In Leadership and Service', an authorized

biography of the former Premier of Eastern Nigeria published by Center for

General African Development and Studies in collaboration with Michael

Okpara Foundation which took place at Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja,

described late M.I. Okpara as a loyal, humble and selfless accomplished

leader.
According to him, “late M.I. Okpara was a Nigerian patriot, a role model

in national service and was one leader who saw tomorrow. We loved and

cherished him dearly.”
The governor who said that late M.I. Okpara laid a solid foundation for

the growth and development of the Eastern Region noted that his visionary

leadership led to industrialization of all the sectors in the South-east

and South-south.
According to him, late M.I. Okpara's adoption of pragmatic socialism in

governance led to agricultural and industrial revolution witnessed between

1959 to 1966.
Governor Orji who regretted that late M.I. Okpara's good works were

truncated by the Nigerian/Biafran Civil War, noted that conflicts and wars

rather than encourage development, diminish and retard development.

The governor who described President Goodluck Jonathan as a disciple of

late Dr. M.I. Okpara, said the President's transformation agenda was drawn

from the works of the former Premier of Eastern Nigeria.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,

Prof Joe Irukwu, called on leaders to imbibe a life of service to the

people and expressed the hope that the book will inspire future

politicians to know that politics is a call to serve and not to make

money.
On his part, the book reviewer, Prof. Anya O. Anya, called on leaders to

emulate the virtues such as determination, vision, integrity, selflessness

which he said were exhibited by late M.I. Okpara.
Presenting the book on behalf of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike

Ekeremadu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije described the book as a fountain of

inspiration and reminded leaders of their role of influencing lives.

The wife of the former Premier, Dame Adanma Okpara while unveiling the

book noted that oil is the doom of Nigeria and prayed God to raise men

like M.I. Okpara as well as endow those that will read the book with

wisdom and knowledge.
Dignitaries at the book launch include Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and

Nkechi Nwogu, Representatives Okuchi Ibeji and Chinenye Ike, Minister of

Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Worgu, former Enugu State Governor,

Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, Nigeria's consulate to South Africa, Okey Emuche,

Prof. S.O. Emejuiwe, Chief Uche Ogah, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, son of the sage,

Chief Uzodinma Okpara among others.