By Frank Ulom
Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Cross River State chapter on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, went to the polls to elect new State Executives 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 as Vice Chairman, Jones Ekwok as Secretary, Jerry Agbor as Assistant Secretary, Obi John Owan as Financial Secretary, and Nseobong Effiong as Assistant Financial Secretary.
Others are Barr. Efiok Ekpo Ekpenyong as Organising Secretary, Gabriel Okembe as Treasurer, Martin Isang as Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mary Takim Ekpang as Assistant PRO, Emmanuel Ukwu as Auditor I, and Ndifon Takim Obim as Auditor II.
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 people-oriented and transparent policies and programmes.
He equally pledged to change the narrative in cocoa production by partnering with the agricultural revolution of Governor Bassey Otu.
Ndep 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 kings and 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 Governor Otu 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 well-being of farmers, he urged politicians to emulate the peaceful conduct of elections in the country.
