President Bola Tinubu has urged political leaders in the South East to emulate the late Michael Okpara, premier of the now-defunct Eastern Region.
He made this call through the minister of Works, David Umahi, who represented him at the commissioning of the refurbished Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, Abia State, yesterday.
The president, who is also expected to inaugurate other projects such as the revamped Port Harcourt Road in Aba, noted that the late Okpara was remembered for working closely with the central government.
He said: “I’m happy that he’s being honored today, this edifice has been renovated in his name and will stand in his memory. The president loves the people of the South East and other regions,” adding that he plans to visit the region later this year, possibly in December.
Governor Alex Otti, in his remarks, recalled that the auditorium, which was built in 1992, had fallen into serious disrepair before his administration began rehabilitation works toward the end of 2023.
He expressed delight at the transformation: “I’m glad that today, it stands as an edifice worthy of behold. Once we step inside, Your Excellency, you will see the quality of work done.”
At the commissioning, Tinubu, via Umahi, praised Governor Otti for his commitment to infrastructural renewal and described the renovation as a “miracle of transformation.”
He also urged the people of the South East (Ndigbo) to adopt the inclusive politics exemplified by Okpara, saying that Okpara “played to the centre,” including people from across regional and national divides.
