The Governors of Cross River, Bauchi, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states as well the former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan and Business mogul, Arthur Eze will storm Abuja, Nigeria’s capital tomorrow, August 22, to receive the Premier’s Prize, award in honour of Rt. Honourable Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the famous politician who reigned as Premier of the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, from 1959 -1966.
The Governors are: Bassey Otu of Cross River state, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, as well Peter Mba of Enugu State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Alex Otti of Abia State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
In a press release last night, Organizers of the Michael Okpara Leadership Program said in a statement signed by Chief Uzodimma Okpara , Chairman of Michael Okpara Foundation and Tobs Agbaegbu, Publisher of Verbatim Media Group that the governors as well as other personalities , made up of legislators, business icons and philanthropists will also receive various categories of the Okpara award at the occasion scheduled for the Musa Yar’Adua event centre at 10 am.
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.
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 also lined up to receive the Premiers Prize include the former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Clement Ebiri, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Austin Akobundu, Senator representing the FCT, Abuja; the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Hajiya Ireti Kingibe. 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 a renowned Journalist and Television program anchor, Charles Aniagolu of Arise News.
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 are: Dr.Maduakolam Gabriel, RHC Henry Ubi and RHC Ndubuisi Nkemakolam.
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 various socio-political and cultural 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’’.
