Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated the endowment fund established in honour of late Priemier of the old Eastern region, late Dr. Michael Okpara by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Speaking while inaugurating the endowment fund and maiden Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara Lecture Series organized by the institution to mark the 30th anniversary of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Governor Otti said he remains a student of Dr. Michael Okpara’s brand of economics , which he has demonstrated in appointment of experts in various fields in his cabinet.
Governor Otti, who warned those who have converted school lands to private use to return them or face the consequences, said he would support Michael Okpara University, in various ways including giving the Certificate of Occupancy to it as requested.
Delivering a lecture he 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 regretted that Nigeria is a country whose past seems to be more glorious than the present saying that even to maintain things inherited by the heroes past is a challenge; where clean cities, social amenities, education, good roads etc are 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 Dr. Okpara as a guide to a better economy and for Nigeria to progress.
He said the election of Governor Otti as Abia Governor is a great favour for not only Ndi Abia but the entire South East and assured that Abia would see developmental strides under Otti. The representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Mrs. Lawal commended the iconic nature of late Dr. Michael Okpara. He said that the creation of the university of agriculture is to work as catalyst to train students in agriculture and commended the institution for living up to expections The Minister said the Federal Government is committed to growing the economy through food production and called for exploring the country’s comparative and competitive advantage in agriculture to meet the needs of the people. In his speech earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe said the institution is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the existence of the school and the ideals of Dr. Okpara and his model of entrepreneurship Prof. Maduebibisi informed that the university strives to contribute to Nigeria’s greatness through self-sufficiency in food and fibre production as disseminated through teaching, research training and extension and appreciated Governor Otti for his support and pleaded with Governor Otti to issue land titles to the university. In his goodwill message , the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu described the event as a very important, saying that a look at what Dr. Okpara did would tell the people today whether they are doing well or not. He called on the people to reflect on what Dr. Okpara did and apply it while expressing hope that Governor Otti would fix the poor road infrastructure in Abia State. Also speaking virtually, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said Dr. Michael Okpara was an incomparable role model in his accomplishments in agriculture, health, politics and maintained that he left legacies in all fronts that all should follow. She made a case for the present day political leaders to serve the people in the manner late Dr. Michael Okpara did. The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chinedu Nwajuba in his address thanked the Vice Chancelor for the vision to introduce the lecture series of Dr. Michael Okpara and said that Michael Okpara deserves the honour. He commended the choice of Governor Soludo as the guest lecturer and appealed that the public lecture is sustained.
