Michael Okpara’s Agricultural Revolution in Focus as MOUAU holds 2nd Edition of Dr. M I. Okpara Lecture

Speakers at the second edition of Dr. Iheonukara Michael Okpara lecture have called on Governments at all levels to draw inspiration from Dr Michael Okpara’s undying legacies to ensure food security in the South East.

In a goodwill message, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State regretted that the progress achieved during Dr Michael Okpara’s era was not sustained by successive regimes due to a shift in focus from agriculture to petroleum.

Otti maintained that the Southeast can be made a hub for agricultural development, leveraging the South East Development Commission as a modern vehicle for legacy continuity.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Cliff Agbaeze, noted that the collaboration with SEDC is necessary “to create a space for free enterprise imbued with innovation, where agripreneurs can thrive.”

“As Dr. Okpara once demonstrated, our region’s potential for a globally competitive agricultural sector is vast, His leadership and vision laid the foundation for an agrarian revolution, economic growth and landmark infrastructural development,” Otti said.

“In the current era, our strategy must be built on a reformed framework driven by innovation, technology, market integration, and institutional reforms. We need to develop indigenous technology and/or adapt existing ones to process and add value to our raw agricultural commodities.”

He commended the VC Chancellor MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe his Management for using the Lecture to immortalize the vision and steering qualities of the then Premier of the defunct eastern region.

In their remarks, the Chairman on the occasion and Senator Representing Abia Central, Austin Akobundu described Dr Michael Okpara as an icon of agricultural and industrial revolutions whose legacies continue to reverberate around the world even long after he has gone.

Senator Akobundu maintained that Agriculture was Nigeria’s economic mainstay, and remains its surest path back to food security and economic development as proven by Dr Michael Okpara’s policies and actions.

His word, “As we gather here today in honour of this great man who led a life of austerity that his people might flourish in prosperity, let us use this occasion to immerse ourselves once again in his undying legacies.”

Delivering the Lecture, the Chairman, South East Development Commission, Dr Emeka Wogu represented by Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri said Dr Michael Okpara championed agricultural development as a strategic blueprint he believed would lead to economic liberation, growth and development of the people.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, described late Dr Michael Okpara as an Iroko who worked tirelessly for his people, noting that on assumption office as VC, he saw the need to immortalize the late sage whose name the university bears.

Prof. Iwe pointed out that Okpara did a lot in agriculture, industry and that the Eastern regional government was adjudged as the fastest growing region in the world because of his achievements that crossed all sectors.

Responding on behalf the Family of Dr Michael Okpara, the first Son, Chief Uzodinma Okpara disclosed that his father’s agrarian revolution was to ensure food sufficient in the region and commended Prof Maduebibisi Iwe for his Agricultural policy’s and program in the University.

The theme of this year’s lecture is: “Agripreneur Model for Attainment of National Food Security and Economic Development: The M.I. Okpara Approach in Retrospect – Leveraging the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as a Modern Vehicle for Legacy Continuity.”