High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Michael Iheonukara Okpara, (December 1920-December 17, 1984) was a political leader and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966. Dr. Okpara was, at 39, 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.