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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.
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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
349:
Okpara was the leader of the NCNC and
Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic from 1959 to 1966. Although he was one of the politicians detained soon after the military coup of January, 1966, he survived the army revolt, in which the other two premiers were killed.
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285:, 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.
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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
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309:, Lagos. After 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.
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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
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to power, terminating the first period of democratic rule. During this period an appointed governor was nominal head of state while an elected premier led the government.
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365:. Before his return from exile in 1979, his close associates and beneficiaries took up a collection to build him a house in his village,
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337:, Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC. His outspoken manner led to a severe strain in relations between his party and the ruling
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positions in
Eastern Nigeria, ranging from Minister of Health to Minister of Agriculture and Production.
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436:"The Guardian's Recognition of Excellence for Women in Public Service in focus as WIMBIZ endorses event"
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of him in Enugu, Enugu State, and also another statue of him in
Umuahia, the capital of the present day
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Nnawuihe Okpara, Uzodinma Okpara, Chinyere Okpara, Enyinna Okpara, Ugonwa Okpara, Ijeoma Okpara
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488:"Accord concondiale: The continuous search for Nigeria's elusive unity and indivisibility (7)"
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He is a member of the Royal
Academy of Physicians of Great Britain. Michael Okpara Way, in
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He also championed the educational and infrastructural development of
Eastern Nigeria.
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Nigeria
Exchange - chronology of 1980s Nigeria history (source for birth/death dates)
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277:(25 December 1920 – 17 December 1984) was a Nigerian politician and Premier of
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on 1 October 1963. On 16 January 1966 a military coup brought Major General
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He never owned a house of his own while he was in government. When the
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While involved in this practice, Okpara developed an interest in the
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Region created from part of Western Region on 8 August 1963
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Nigerian region governors and premiers in the First Republic
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Nigerian region governors and premiers in the First Republic
463:"Michael Iheonukara Okpara: A resolute and selfless leader"
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Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 and became a
834:
National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons politicians
409:), one of Nigeria's highest honours, in 1964. There is a
324:(NCNC). After rioting workers were shot by police at the
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Power & Governance: The Legacy of Dr.Michael Okpara
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790:
List of Nigerian Region Military Governors (1966–1967)
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760:Administrator appointed during political crisis
519:by H. K. Offonry. New Africa Publishers (1983)
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434:Ojo, Dele; Tijani-Alabi, Fatai (2021-03-03).
322:National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons
220:National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons
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51:introducing citations to additional sources
844:Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger
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150:1 October 1959 – 15 January 1966
525:by the Michael Okpara Foundation (1997)
383:Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
41:Relevant discussion may be found on the
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391:Michael Okpara College of Agriculture
7:
369:. Okpara died on 17 December 1984.
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849:20th-century Nigerian politicians
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34:relies largely or entirely on a
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16:Nigerian politician (1920–1984)
381:is named after him, as is the
1:
486:Okeke, Ezekiel (2017-07-12).
361:ended, he went into exile in
401:). He received the award of
839:Premiers of Eastern Nigeria
389:; Okpara Square in Enugu;
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854:Yaba Higher College alumni
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339:Northern People's Congress
320:), a militant wing of the
138:Premier of Eastern Nigeria
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461:Awa, Omiko (2020-01-19).
259:Michael Iheonukara Okpara
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118:Michael Iheonukara Okpara
543:Profile at OnlineNigeria
405:(Grand Commander of the
738:Samuel Ladoke Akintola
229:Adanma Enyidiya Okpara
604:Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
399:Imo State Polytechnic
765:Jan 1963 - Jan 1966
746:May 1962 - Dec 1962
729:Oct 1960 - May 1962
675:Feb 1964 - Jan 1966
656:Aug 1963 - Feb 1964
634:Oct 1960 - Jan 1966
517:Portrait of a Leader
47:improve this article
824:Nigerian Christians
819:People from Umuahia
701:Gawain Westray Bell
638:Francis Akanu Ibiam
397:(since renamed the
307:Yaba Higher College
293:Michael Okpara, an
196:, Southern Region,
652:Mid-Western Region
592:This is a list of
407:Order of the Niger
359:Nigerian Civil War
345:After independence
173:Position abolished
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301:, in present-day
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769:Joseph Fadahunsi
757:(Administrator)
714:1962 - Jan 1966
697:Oct 1960 - 1962
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191:25 December 1920
183:Personal details
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62:"Michael Okpara"
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733:Adesoji Aderemi
693:Northern Region
684:Dennis Osadebay
679:Jereton Mariere
665:Dennis Osadebay
660:Dennis Osadebay
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511:Further reading
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246:Medical Doctor
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45:. Please help
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58:Find sources:
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36:single source
32:This article
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706:Ahmadu Bello
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497:. Retrieved
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470:. Retrieved
467:The Guardian
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445:. Retrieved
441:The Guardian
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248:, Politician
209:(1984-12-17)
168:Succeeded by
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814:1984 deaths
809:1920 births
281:during the
156:Preceded by
103:August 2024
803:Categories
499:2020-05-28
472:2024-08-29
447:2024-08-29
421:References
415:Abia State
303:Abia State
295:Ohuhu-Igbo
242:Profession
73:newspapers
788:See also
618:Governor
395:Imo State
146:In office
43:talk page
621:Premier
600:republic
234:Children
615:Period
612:Region
493:The Sun
387:Umudike
367:Umuegwu
363:Ireland
299:Umuahia
194:Umuahia
87:scholar
624:Notes
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411:statue
373:Legacy
226:Spouse
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82:
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379:Abuja
326:Enugu
267:
94:JSTOR
80:books
527:ISBN
403:GCON
289:Life
204:Died
188:Born
66:news
393:in
385:in
49:by
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