Gov Mbah is Implementing Michael Okpara Leadership Model in Enugu – Hon Chinedu Onu
By Amaechi Agbo
A former Commissioner in Enugu State, Hon Barrister Chinedu Onu has stated that Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is implementing the leadership model of Michael I. Okpara.
Dr Onu stated this on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the two-day capacity building training workshop for staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.
Speaking on the topic “Strategic Repositioning of M.I Okpara’s Leadership and Governance as a Competency-based Institutional Framework for Sustainable 21st Century Impacts” the former Commissioner for Environment noted that Governor Mbah’s transformative leadership in Enugu State has the imprint of M .I Okpara’s leadership ideology.
“Michael Okpara, late former Premier of Eastern Region, championed the cause for a new South-East region. His leadership ideology and governance signposted the region to the nation and laid emphasis on competence and good governance.
“There is no doubt that Governor Peter Mbah is implementing M.I. Okpara’s leadership philosophy in Enugu State. He is championing a new Enugu State through his pragmatic, future-thinking leadership. During Michael Okpara administration, South-East education enrolment tripled. We are witnessing same under Peter Mbah with his Smart School initiative which has tripled the number of children enrolled into school. His type took the educational policy to a greater height with experiential learning. Equipping the children with hands-on, practical-based pedagogy.
“He is transforming the infrastructure in the state, reviving moribund productive sectors such as the Gas Plant, Almanco Company, Hotel Presidential, International Conference Centre and others which are redefining the state’s economy, culture, investments, learning and agriculture” he said.
Dr Onu emphasised that Dr M.I. Okpara’s leadership model provides a competency-based framework for vision, ethics, innovation, and adaptability aligning with modern leadership theories.
“We must reposition his legacy from historical admiration to strategic application in order to achieve institutional transformation in ESUT and our dear state”
Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria in the first Republic from 1959-1966. His leadership blueprint ensured – agricultural revolution, ethical, transparent and visionary governance, championed education for self-reliance, and cooperative development.
“His leadership ideology offers a home-grown African blueprint for sustainable leadership, bridges tradition and technology, values and vision, competency and character can co-exist in governance. They form the foundation of trustworthy governance, institutional excellence, and moral authority.
“Repositioning Okpara’s leadership means reclaiming Africa’s capacity to lead itself with dignity and purpose” he stated.
The 2025 ESUT staff training workshop was held on Wednesday, 8 and Thursday, 9th October at the International Conference centre, Enugu.
Michael Okpara’s Legacy
Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara was a political leader, doctor and the premier of Eastern Nigeria from 1959 to 1966. He was, at the age of 39, the nation’s youngest premier
A strong advocate of what he termed “pragmatic socialism”, he believed that Nigeria’s salvation depended on a revolution in agriculture. To this end, he acquired and managed a large farm in his hometown, called Umuegwu Okpuala Mixed Farms, which inspired many Eastern Nigerian leaders to follow suit. He also championed the educational and infrastructural development of Eastern Nigeria.
He never owned a house of his own while he was in government. When the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1979, he went into exile in Ireland. Before his return from exile in 1979, his close associates and beneficiaries took up a collection to build him a house in his village, Umuegwu. Okpara died on 17 December 1984.
