Michael Okpara
| Michael Iheonukara Okpara | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Premier of Eastern Nigeria | |
|
In office 1 October 1959 – 15 January 1966 |
|
| Preceded by | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Succeeded by | None (Position abolished) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 December 1920 Umuahia, Abia State |
| Died | 17 December 1984 (aged 63) |
| Political party | National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons |
| Spouse(s) | Adanma Enyidiya Okpara |
| Children | Nnawuihe Okpara, Uzodinma Okpara, Chinyere Okpara, Enyinna Okpara, Ugonwa Okpara , Ijeoma Okpara |
| Profession | Medical Doctor |
| Religion | Christianity |
Michael Iheonukara Okpara (25 December 1920 – 17 December 1984) was a political leader and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966. At 39, he was the nation's youngest Premier. He was a strong advocate of what he called "pragmatic socialism" and believed that agricultural reform was crucial to the ultimate success of Nigeria.
Michael Okpara, an Ohuhu-Igbo, was born in December 25, 1920 at Umuahia, in the present day Abia State of Nigeria. Although he was the son of a labourer, he was able to attend mission schools and later went to Uzuakoli Methodist College, where he won a scholarship to study medicine at Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Completing his medical studies at the Nigerian School of Medicine, he worked briefly as a government medical officer before returning to Umuahia to set up a private practice.
While involved in his practice, he developed an interest in the Zikist Movement (named after Nnamdi Azikiwe), a militant wing of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). After rioting workers were shot by police at the Enugu coal mines in 1949, Okpara was arrested for his alleged complicity in inciting the riot, though he was soon released. After the granting of internal self-rule in 1952, he was elected into the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly on the NCNC platform. Between 1952 and 1959 he held various Cabinet positions in Eastern Nigeria, ranging from Minister of Health to Minister of Agriculture and Production.
In 1953, when NCNC legislators revolted against the party leadership, he remained loyal and joined forces with Azikiwe. In November 1960, when Azikiwe left active politics to become Nigeria's first African Governor-General, Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC. His outspoken manner led to a severe strain in relations between his party and the ruling Northern People's Congress.
...
Wikipedia