Michael Okpara

Michael Okpara also known as Michael Iheonukara Okpara (25 December 1920 – 17 December 1984), was a Nigerian politician and Premier of Eastern Region during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966. Quotes We hold the view that religious leaders are entitled to state when an organisation is becoming anti-religious or is going against their religious principles; I think that is what Bishop Patterson has done. I know the man well, and any Government that expels a man like that, well that Government should really begin to think seriously where it is heading. I think we are all almost unanimous in thinking that it was an unwise step by the Ghanaian government: we hold the view that religious leaders should condemn practices that they consider to be irreligious, although of course we are opposed to religious politics: by that we mean the religious organisations setting up, campaigning openly or covertly to win candidates in any election. Interview with the Premier of Eastern Nigeria Michael Okpara Quotes about Michael Okpara Although Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara died almost 42 years ago, the mention of his name in Nigeria today evokes memories of the agricultural and agro-industrial revolution in Eastern Nigeria in the 1950s and ’60s, during his days as the Premier of the former Eastern Region. SEDC: Reinventing Michael Okpara’s agricultural and agro-industrial revolution Vanguard July 7, 2026 by Emmanuel Nzomiwu Dr. M.I Okpara was a phenomenon - an austere, visionary leader whose agrarian and industrial revolution transformed Eastern Nigeria into the fastest-growing economy of its time. His policies and institutions outlived him, and his leadership ethos became a benchmark for generations. But for decades, the region and the nation yearned for another of his kind - someone who not only remembered the legacy but lived it. The Living Legacy of Dr M.I. Okpara Rekindled in Senator Austin Akobundu External links Category:1920 births Category:1984 deaths Category:Politicians from Nigeria Category:Educators from Nigeria Category:Dead people