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By Madu Obi
The governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has lamented that Nigeria is a country whose past was more glorious than its present, noting that it has been developing backwards for decades.
Soludo made the observation as the keynote speaker at the Dr. M.I Okpara maiden memorial lecture at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
He regretted that when compared to countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea, which were at the same level as Nigeria at Independence, Nigeria has retrogressed over the years.
According to the governor, the foundation for Nigeria's future must start with a regeneration of its past, adding that Dr. Okpara, the first premier of the defunct Eastern Region, was a great example of the kind of leader that Nigeria needs to reclaim its greatness.
"Renewal of the ideals and noble leadership of Okpara is the only way to help Nigeria reclaim its glorious past," the governor said, describing the late Premier as a nationalist, humanist, and policy entrepreneur who believed in the power of sustainable wealth creation and using public finance to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Soludo also lamented that Nigeria abandoned its traditional industries, such as palm oil production, in which Eastern Region excelled during Okpara, in pursuit of oil, which has sadly led the country into becoming a net importer of crude oil.
He urged those in leadership to imbibe Dr. Okpara's principles and ideologies and to work to create a Nigeria where everyone has the opportunity to succeed..
Also speaking, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State appreciated the leadership of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture for inviting Governor Soludo who he described as an erudite economist, as a keynote speaker for the event.
Otti noted that although M.I. Okpara was a medical doctor, he was a better economist than most economists in Nigeria today.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe thanked everyone for joining to celebrate the university's three decades of existence and thanked Governor Soludo for accepting to be the keynote speaker.
The event was attended by the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Emmanuel Iwunayanwu, Traditional Rulers, the academia, students, among other people.
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