..as FOSSCCIMA ends 2nd AGM, Installs 3rd Regional President
By Emmanuel Sampson
The newly sworn-in regional President of Coalition of South South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOCCIMA), Dr. Okon Emah has joined Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI), a socio-cultural organization led by Akparawa Patrick Udofia to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive steps in the development of the Niger Delta region which bears the crude oil, where the country exploits its vast oil resources.

Dr. Emah made the call, Thursday 15, October 2020, during his inauguration as the 3rd Regional President of FOSSCCIMA at Helemah event center in Uyo, hosted by Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, mines and Agriculture (UYOCCIMA). He urged the Federal Government to developed seaports and other infrastructures which would make the region to thrive economically.
Emah, while delivering his address, said FOSSCCIMA has gone through its developmental process and it’s growing properly to meet the demands of Entrepreneurs, while also charging government to diversify the economy from total dependence on oil to other sectors.

“As a child growing, we must be able to look back and identify our mistakes, correct them and forge ahead for good. The economy of the entire South South should be our first priority. We should be able to think of solutions for our underdevelopment despite our abundant resources.
We should be willing to encourage ourselves to diversify our economy from total dependence on oil to agriculture, mines, trade, tourism and industries. Let’s find ways of developing our seaports and exploit the natural resource given to us by God.” Emah said.
He promised to do his best as the president to develop unity of purpose for the economic emancipation of the South by encouraging city Chambers to increase registration of members to about 1000 each year, encouraged state chamber to collaborate with their governors as well as work to reduce multiple taxation for micro, small and medium enterprise (SMEs), to boost economic of chambers in the region.
In his goodwill message, the 10th International President, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa Patrick Udofia felicitated with the newly sworn in 3rd Regional President of FOSSCCIMA, Dr. Okon Emah on his elevation and charged him to bring to bear his vast wealth of experience to justify the confidence reposed on him by FOSSCCIMA and the entire business community.
“Life is all about grabbing opportunities by the collar and squeezing them out till the very last drop. The Chamber has made an excellent choice based on capability, experience and many years of your enduring services and contributions to the growth and development of FOSSCCIMA. We hope that you will make us proud.”
The event was attended by deputy Senate president, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, represented, HRM, Ntisong (Dr). E.U. Ekidem, Ntisong Ibibio 3rd, Ambassador Joe Keshi, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, represented, King Diete of Spiff of Bayelsa State, who is the Grand Patron of FOSSCCIMA, Traditional Rulers, Scholars, Business community, among others.