MOUAU Pearl Jubilee: Otti, Soludo, Okonjo Iweala, others pour Encomiums On Michael Okpara
By Charity Uwakwe, Abia
Governors of Abia and Anambra States, Alex Otti and Charles Soludo, respectively, alongside Director General of the World Trade Centre, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have unanimously, poured warm praises on the accolades on the virtues of the late Premier of defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara.
The trio of Otti, Soludo and Iweala, among other leaders gave the eulogy at the inauguration of the endowment fund established in honour of late Dr. Okpara by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking while inaugurating the endowment fund and maiden Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara Lecture Series organised by the institution to mark the 30th anniversary of MOUAU, Governor Otti boasted about being a student of Dr. Okpara’s brand of economics.
According to Otti, he has demonstrated same in the appointment of experts in various fields in his cabinet, as he used the medium to warn sternly who have allegedly converted school lands to private use to return them or face the consequences.
Meanwhile, the Governor vowed to relentlessly support Michael Okpara University in various ways, assuring that his administration would grant the latter the Certificate of Occupancy as requested.
In his lecture titled: “Our Future In Our Past: Reinventing Dr. M.I. Okpara Policy For National Growth”, the Anambra State Governor and former Governor of the CBN, Prof Charles Soludo, reminded the people of the old Eastern Region that they once had a glorious past.
He said it was unfortunate that Nigeria had become a country whose past seemed to be more glorious than the present, regretting that, even to maintain things inherited by the heroes past, was a challenge
However, the former CBN Governor condemned in totality, a situation wherein clean cities, social amenities, education, good roads and other life advancement projects were now fairy tales.
Governor Soludo, who described Dr. Okpara as a policy entrepreneur, nationalist, and humanist with character and selflessness, called on leaders to reinvent the ideals of the late premier as a guide to a better economy and for Nigeria to progress.
He said the election of Governor Otti as Abia Governor was a great favour for not only Ndi Abia but the entire South East, assuring that Abia would see developmental strides under Otti.
In her virtual speech, Dr.Okonjo-Iwealaimplored various political leaders to serve the people follow the footprints of late Dr. Okpara.
Iweala described late Dr. Okpara as an incomparable role model in his accomplishments in agriculture, health, politics, adding, “M.I. Okpara left legacies in all fronts that all should follow.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, while recounting the historical precision of the University, said the Founders’ Day and Maiden Dr. Michael Okpara Lecture Series, were meant to celebrate the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders, government, faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners who contributed to the growth and development of the University.
“The Founders’ Day and Maiden Dr. Michael Okpara Lecture Series, were meant to celebrate the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders, government, faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners who contributed to the growth and development of the University, as well as instill in us the ideals, leadership models, agricultural and entrepreneurial policies of late Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara.
Prof Iwe described the late Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara as a colossus who as the Premier of the old Eastern Region impacted immensely the development, growth, and identity of ordinary Nigerians and helped in the gallant fight for the creation of Abia State where the University is situated.
He enjoined Nigerians to imbibe his leadership qualities that made indelible impacts on the present South-East and South-South States.
Corroborating, the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, posited that Dr. Okpara’s should serve as a ruler to measure the activities of the present day’s leaders, as he enjoined the latter to return to the drawing board and emulate the legacies of the former.
