INITIATION:
The man, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara
was a true and patriotic Nigerian, medical doctor and politician. He lived here on earth from 25th December 1920 to 17th December 1984, approximately 63 years.
At his 39 years, he became the youngest Premier in Nigeria minding the Eastern Region during the First Republic, from 1st October 1959 to 15th January 1966. He emphatically advocated for what he called, "pragmatic socialism". He believed that agricultural reformation was the most crucial focus to the ultimate success of Nigeria.
BIRTH DATE:
Michael Iheonukara Okpara was born on December 25th, 1920 at Umuegwu Okpuala, Umuahia South L.G.A., Umuahia in Abia State Nigeria.
That location was the Southern Region of the then British - Nigeria. He was one, among the nine children born to his father's two wives.
HIS EDUCATION:
He began his formal studies in the month of August 1927 at a missionary school, "Methodist Primary School".
In the year 1930, he moved to "Central School Afuigiri Umuahia," there he passed the entrance examination to the "Methodist College Uzuakoli" in 1934. He later won a missionary scholarship to study medicine at "Yaba Higher College" in Lagos. After graduation as a qualified medical doctor, he was sent to serve in Maiduguri, Borno State as a government medical officer.
He resigned the appointment after six months, to startup a private hospital in his home town, Umuahia in the ending part of the year 1948.
MARRIAGE/FAMILY:
He married Adanma Eyidiya in the year 1949, and their union produced six children, namely,
Sons:
Nnawuihe Okpara
Uzodinma Okpara
Enyinna Okpara
Daughters:
Chinyere Okpara
Ugonwa Okpara
Ijeoma Okpara
CAREER:
Medical doctor, agriculturist, and politician.
The most remarkable records of his career were seen in the ministries of agriculture and health. Okpara was the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, he reformed the ministry to a considerable reduction cost of food. He was a strong advocate of what he called “pragmatic socialism,” Okpara reasoned that Nigeria’s salvation hinged on agricultural revitalization. For this reason, he acquired and managed a large farm in his home town, this inspired many Eastern Nigerian politicians to emulation. He laid the under ground work for the establishment of farm settlements where young men and women were trained to become modern commercial farmers. Okpara led to the setting up of many farm estates such as:
"Colaro" and "Qua Falls" estates all in Cross River State. That made food to in abundance. That resulted that Eastern Nigerian Region was able to export three million pounds worth of rice during his tenor in the ministry. As a head in the Ministry of Health, he eradicated yaws and leprosy, and he also built new standard hospitals.
He also played a noticable role in the industrialisation of Enugu, the Eastern Nigeria’s government seat; Port Harcourt; Calabar; Aba; and Umuahia. He was also in charge of the educational and infrastructural establishment of the then Eastern Nigeria.
HIS POLITICS:
His political party was
"National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)".
BEFORE THE INDEPENDENCE: Okpara’s participation in politics started when he was elected as the secretary of the Medical Students Association.
He also developed interest in the Zikist Movement, the militant wing of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. This was later known as the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), Cameroon got their independence.
AFTER A RIOT IN ENUGU:
Some workers were shot by policemen at the Enugu coal mines in 1949, Dr. M. I. Okpara was arrested for his alleged complicity in inciting the riot. He was released in short period. This incident led Okpara to become more active in politics with the full support of his wife.
Okpara and Jaja Wachukwu organized the New Africa Party in view to join the NCNC because at that time, one could only join the NCNC from the platform of another organisation or through a divisional union. After internal self-rule was granted in 1952, he was elected into the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly under the NCNC platform. He was a minister without a portfolio in the first government headed by Professor Eyo Ita between 1952 and 1953, a position which made it possible for him to carry on his medical practice unfettered by a heavy load of ministerial works. He was made Minister of Health for Eastern Nigeria in 1954 and three years later headed the Ministry of Production, of which the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (a corporation which oversaw agriculture, industries, produce inspection and other such duties) was a part.
In 1953, when NCNC lawmakers revolted against the party governance, he remained loyal and joined forces with Dr. Azikiwe. In November 1960, when Dr. Azikiwe became Nigeria's first indigenous Governor-General, Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC. His outspokenness led to a severe bad egg in relations between his party NCNC and the ruling Northern People's Congress (NPC).
AFTER INDEPENDENCE:
Okpara was the leader of the NCNC and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic (from 1959 to 1966).
In the beginning of the military coup of January 1966, he was one of the politicians who was detained, but he survived the army revolt in which the two other regional premiers: Ahmadu Bello and Samuel Ladoka Akintola were killed.
On August 4, 1966, General Yakubu Gowon ordered Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara's release from prison.
The Nigerian/Biafra Civil War started on May 30, 1967. Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was the military governor of the Eastern Region. The declaration of the Republic of Biafra resulted to the civil war. After Nsukka's fall to the federal troops. People who were close to Ojukwu pressured him to seek advice from Okpara as they believed that he knew the region very well. Dr. M. I. Okpara had gone home to live with his village people. However, as the federal troops were getting closer to Enugu, the more Ojukwu was persuaded that some of the "Old Brigade" ought to be drafted into the administration. Okpara was then Ojukwu's Special Adviser.
At the end of the Civil War, Ojukwu and Okpara ran away into exile in another country. Before Michael Okpara's return in 1979, his close associates and beneficiaries, took it upon themselves to build him a house in his village.
AWARDS:
Many places and institutions were named after him: Michael Okpara Way in Abuja; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Abia; Okpara Square in Umuahia Abia State, and Okpara Square in Enugu. He was made a Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (Nigeria's highest honour) in 1964 in recognition of his services to the nation. There is also a statue of him in Enugu and Abia States.
DEATH:
Okpara died on December 17th, 1984 (aged 63).
LESSONS TO LEARN:
- Courageous personality
- Hard working individual
- Truthfulness in leadership
- Faithfulness, even in difficulty
- Fearless and selflessness in administration, etc.
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