By Chukwudi Ozalla:

It was an epoch-making event on thursday, June 3rd, 2021 at the Abuja Sheraton hotel.

Illustrious Igbo sons and daughters and their well-wishers gathered to honour and immortalize one of their long departed political heavyweight and foremost nationalist; Rt. Hon. Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara, GCON late premier, Eastern Region of Nigeria. 

The occasion which was organised under the distinguished Chairmanship of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was primarily used to unveil Okpara’s Leadership Institute and Biography, deliver lecture as well as raise funds to support the kick off of the leadership Institute.           

During the lecture delivered by Dr Obiora Okonkwo who was the guest lecturer, 

he highlighted a few of late Dr Okpara’s leadership qualities and achievements during his lifetime which still stands tall till today, and urged visionary leaders to adopt the same model for over all good of the people. 

Dr Godwin Maduka, a philanthropist par excellence and foremost contender in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the Chief Launcher, dazed the entire audience when he announced a donation of a whopping sum of 40 million naira in support of the noble initiative.

He said, he was glad to have attended the event personally despite his very tight schedules.

He thanked the master of the ceremony for giving him the honour and the privilege to speak first in honour of his very senior departed professional colleague- Dr Okpara. 

Dr Maduka praised Dr Okpara’s giant developmental leadership vision- highlighting how good quality and sustainable human capital developments in both health and education etc have shaped the world for good, with its attendant great employment opportunities. 

He used the opportunity to assure his supporters that by the grace of God: when he becomes the next Governor of Anambra State, that he will do more amazing things that will not only benefit the state in particular, but Nigeria as a whole, stating that his track records over the years speaks for itself.

Dr Maduka also received a prestigious award at the occasion. 

Other various speakers each in their separate speeches extolled Dr Okpara’s legacy.

Some of the key dignitaries who graced the occasion and supported in diverse ways included: Dr Uchechukwu Ogah: the Honorable Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Senator Theordore Orji, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Dr Paddy Njoku, Amara Iwuchukwu, Igbo Women Group in Abuja amongst others.