Nigeria’s economy will flourish if leaders adopt Okpara’s model – Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has said that the leadership model of late Michael Okpara, Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria excelled in selfless service, agriculture and industrialisation, making the region the fasted growing economy in Africa, and that if the nation’s leaders could adopt such model, the prosperity of the country was assured.

Governor Uzodinma said this at the Michael Okpara Leadership Prize awards in Abuja, while speaking on the topic: ‘Service Above Self: Lessons from the Leadership Philosophy of Dr. Michael Okpara.’

He said: “Perhaps, 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 noted that those virtues were characterised by selfless service, integrity, vision and inclusivity which brought about rapid growth in the region.

Uzodinma, who was also bestowed with the Premier’s Grand Prize, Gold Plaque Category award by the organisers, challenged Nigerian leaders to concentrate more on rendering selfless service rather than pursuing personal aggrandisement.

He also called for a greater commitment to the development of the country by Nigerians themselves, instead of mere passing of bucks, expressing the optimism that Nigeria would attain its full potential when the citizens display unparallel patriotism as demonstrated by the late premier of Eastern Region.

He said: “Okpara’s legacies will continue to inspire not just our generation but generations to come.”

The governor also commended the organisers for the lecture series, a way of keeping Okpara’s legacies alive.

“In my view, Okpara remains a hero in Nigeria who has not been properly sung,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State described Okpara as his hero because of the monumental development he achieved in the former Eastern Region.

Otu said that most of the agricultural policies being implemented by his administration in Cross River State were derived from the legacies of Okpara.

Anyim Pius Anyim, chairman of the occasion and former Senate president, praised the organisers for keeping the memory of the late Premier alive and eulogised Governor Uzodinma for his thought-provoking lecture. He urged Nigerians to imbibe the recommendations therefrom.