Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter today, 12th September, 2023 went to the polls to elect a new State Executive to pilot the affairs of the association.
In a keenly contested election that took place at Ikom, Dr Ramsey Tiku Ebam Ndep emerged victorious as State Chairman. The following members were also elected into the state executive council of the association;
Mr. Sunday Ekeke, Vice Chairman, Jones Ekwok, Secretary, Jerry Agbor, Assistant Secretary, Obi John Owan, Financial Secretary, Nseobong Effiong, Assistant Financial Secretary, Barr. Efiok Ekpo Ekpenyong, Organizing Secretary, Gabriel Okembe, Treasurer, Martin Isang, PRO, Mary Takim Ekpang, Assistant PRO, Emmanuel Ukwu, Auditor 1, Ndifon Takim Obim, Auditor 11.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman elect, Dr. Ramsey Tiku Ebam Ndep thanked the delegates for finding him fit to serve in his new capacity and promised to carry everyone along through a people oriented and transparent policies and programmes. He equally pledged to change the narrative in cocoa production by partnering with the agricultural revolution of His Excellency, Senator Prince Otu. He assured that with the emerging international recognition of cocoa production as a foreign exchange earner, he’ll attract both local and foreign partners in order to make cocoa farmers as kings to take their proper place in the economy of the state.
He urged every cocoa farmer to support government policies by keying into the People’s First Agenda of Sweet Prince to better the lives of farmers, especially those in the cocoa value chain.
In his response, the returning officer who doubles as the National Secretary of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Agbor Bassey Njar appreciated the conduct of the delegates for ensuring a rancor free election. While charging the newly elected state officers to push for the improvement of the wellbeing of farmers, he urged politicians to emulate the peaceful conduct of elections in the country.