ABIA AND OKPARA`S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
The fascinating memories of late Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the former Premier of Eastern Region and his enduring accomplishments came alive on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024 at a leadership lecture and award ceremony held in his honour in Abuja. The event which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar`Adua Centre attracted the presence of top personalities from across the country and the Diaspora. Coming forty years after the demise of the ebullient Premier, the extra-ordinary event was, indeed, a fitting tribute to the iconic political leader who left imperishable footprints in the political and economic landscape of Eastern Region.
The lecture which was titled, “Service Above Self: Lessons From the Leadership Philosophy of Dr. Michael Okpara”, was delivered by Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State. The presentation which was rich in content and depth highlighted the unsurpassable achievements Dr. Okpara`s administration made in many areas of human endeavor, particularly in agriculture and industrialization which launched the Eastern Region firmly on the political map of the world.
As Uzodimma noted, the massive investments Dr. Okpara made in the fields of agriculture and industries led to the rapid economic and infrastructural transformation of the region, resulting in wealth creation and eradication of unemployment. A study conducted by the World Bank during the period declared the Eastern Region the fastest growing economy in the world. Uzodimma challenged the current leaders in Nigeria to emulate the selfless sacrifices and life of integrity which Okpara lived.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation and unveiling of the architectural design of the Dr. Michael Okpara Leadership Institute to be sited in Umuahia, Abia State, the home base of the late Premier. The massive structure which would serve as a research centre on the political and leadership philosophies of Dr. Okpara comes with a conference hall, library, exhibition hall, committee rooms, offices and expansive parking lots.
Abia State Chief Executive, Dr. Alex Otti who was the Host Governor at the occasion was represented by Hon. Obi Aguocha, the Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of the State. He read the inspiring address of Dr. Otti which centred on enduring legacies of Dr. Okpara and his economic model which propelled the agricultural and revolution that transformed the fortunes of the Eastern Region.
Governor Otti acknowledged the gigantic strides of the Okpara administration and called on the present leadership at State and Federal levels to adopt the economic model of the late Premier to promote development and create enough employment opportunities for the jobless youths in the land.
He said: “The model of late Okpara led to the agricultural revolution in the Eastern Region with the establishment of palm settlements, rubber plantations, shoe industry, aside other establishments.
“Nigeria`s over-reliance on oil has plunged it deeper into food insecurity with little or no industry to pride with.”
The Governor urged the Federal and State Governments to engage in the economic revolution through massive investments in agriculture and industrialization, which would help to earn enough foreign exchange for the country.
Dr. Otti`s admonitions resonated well with the large attendance at the public lecture which included serving and former Governors, Ministers, Members of National Assembly, Federal bureaucrats, traditional rulers and the private sector. The speech was well applauded because the Governor, without mincing words, has done quite a lot since he emerged as the Chief Executive of Abia to reposition and transform the State in line with the Okpara development model.
Otti`s works in Aba, the commercial and economic hub of the State, have brought the Enyimba city from the doldrums back to life. Within one year, he has been able to fix the broken infrastructure in Aba, including all the dilapidated roads. Businesses that left Aba because of the collapse of the town have started returning to the city. This would translate to enhanced resources into the coffers of the Government to enable it to continue to make Abia a better place for all.
Watchers of developments in Abia are also not unmindful of the commendable efforts of the Otti administration in the areas of industrialization and agriculture which were the bedrock of the Okpara economic revolution in the 1960s. The Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) which the Government is promoting in Ukwa is a game changer, which when it comes fully on stream would provide enough jobs for many of the idle youths in the State.
In the area of agriculture, the Governor has taken a deliberate step to revive the Ulonna North and Ulonna South farm settlements which were criminally neglected by former administrations. It will be recalled that these farm settlements located in Abia were part of the several farm and agricultural estates that were established by Dr. Okpara across the length and breadth of former Eastern Region.
The Otti administration has engaged some private investors on the resuscitation of the farm settlements and other economic concerns, including the rubber, cocoa and palm plantations abandoned since after the exit of Dr. Okpara`s administration. It is particularly important to note that Dr. Otti has awarded a contract for the construction of the strategic Nunya-Isuikwuato road that connects the Ulonna farm settlements and so many food producing communities on that corridor.
When the road currently being constructed by a reputable Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is completed, it would not only fasten the resuscitation efforts at the farm settlements but also open up vast rural farming communities in Abia North for rapid economic development.
Dr. Otti is not only charging the various Governments in Nigeria to adopt the Okpara model to transform the country, he is scrupulously and practically living out the Okpara dream. A new Abia, indeed, is possible!
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com