By Emma Okereh
The Governors of the states in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones in Nigeria, formerly, the eastern region of Nigeria’s first republic, as well as other bigwigs and professionals drawn from the legislature and multi-dimensional businesses, are billed to assemble in Abuja, August 22, to receive leadership awards, raise funds for the building of Okpara Leadership Institute in Umuahia, Abia State and also participate in the 2024 edition of a public lecture in honour of His Excellency, the Right Honourable Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, late Premier of the region who was in the saddle from 1959-1966.
Okpara in whose honour the event is being held was a great Nigerian statesman, politician, legislator in the former Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly, and among the best leaders of his era. As Premier of Eastern Region: 1959-1966, at 39, Okpara pursued ideals of good governance, integrity in leadership, and all-round development. Because of his government’s success story in many sectors, especially, agriculture and industrial revolution program, The World Bank named Eastern Nigeria the Fastest Growing Regional Economy in the World, at that period.
Organizers of the program, the Michael Okpara Foundation and Verbatim Media Group said in a press statement yesterday that they have confirmed attendance of three of the governors, namely, Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia state,as Chief Host for the event; Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State who is also the Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, as well as attendance of many other distinguished personalities.
In the statement jointly signed by Chairman of Okpara Foundation, Chief Uzodinma Okpara who is one of the sons of the late premier and Tobs Agbaegbu, Publisher of Verbatim Media Group, the event organizers announced that a number of Nigerian leaders drawn from the political class, the legislature, captains of industry and and philanthropists who are resident in Nigeria and in the diaspora will be honoured with Okpara Leadership Award, otherwise known as the Premiers Prize, at the historic event.
The event will be Chaired by Distinguished Senator Pius Anyim, a Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation while His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Executive Governor of Imo State and Chairman of South East Governors Forum will serve as Guest Speaker, and deliver a Lecture on ‘’Contemporary Issues on Leadership and Governance in Nigeria: Lessons from the Leadership Philosophy of Dr. Michael Okpara’’.
Those lined up to receive the Premiers Prize include incumbent Governors of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States as well as the former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Clement Ebiri.
Others are: Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Austin Akobundu, Senator representing the FCT, Hajiya Ireti Kingibe, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Senator Athan Achonu, former Labour Party Governorship candidate in Imo State.
Captains of industry and professionals of various categories who will also receive the Okpara Leadership award include the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi, Iwe; Frank Ihekwoaba,PhD, the CEO of Winds Exploration and Production (an oil and gas firm) ; Barr. Emma Njoku, Chairman, Prezzo Shed Group, Felix Chidi Idiga, Chairman, Jafac Group, Dr. Chris Odinaka Igwe and Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia.
Others include Chief Duke Enyinnaya Atuloma, Hon.Mayor Victor Ikeji,PhD and two renowned Journalists who are Television program anchors, Charles Aniagolu of Arise News and Amaechi Anakwe, PhD, of African Independent Television (AIT).
A number of Nigerians in the diaspora are also listed among those to be honoured with the Premier’s Prize on August 22. These include, Chief Nelly Onyinyechi Okenkpu, philanthropist and founder of Nelly Okenkpu Foundation in the USA; Chief (Barrister) Ezeugo Kensington Chikwendu, a top bureaucrat at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum in Nigeria and Hon.Cliff Opara, Deputy Chairman, Board of Delegates, Mbaise USA Inc. Others are Dr. Maduabuchi Prince Gabriel, RHC Henry Ubi and RHC Ndubuisi Nkemakolam.
The press statement also contains an announcement that special invitations have been sent respectively to His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu as Chief Guest of Honour who will deliver a keynote address , and His Excellency, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his wife, Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan as Special Guests .
Describing the upcoming August 22, 2024 event as historic, the Organizing Committee expressed optimism that it will usher ‘’ a new era of solidarity of the People of the South-East and South-South socio-cultural and political zones in Nigeria’’ and also achieve one of the reasons for the program which is ‘’to encourage and promote good governance, integrity in public service and excellence in Service delivery : core attributes and philosophy of His Excellency, the Right Honourable Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara’’
