Emeka Obegolu, SAN is the New President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce

Chief Dr. Emeka Obegolu SAN is the new President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (ACCI).

The ex-president, Pan African lawyers Union and Founding Partner Greenfield Chambers takes over from Alhaji Al-Mujtaba Abubakar.

After his inauguration at the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ACCI alongside other newly elected officials on Thursday at Abuja, Obegolu said his administration will ensure infrastructure development and ease of business in the country.

“As we move forward, our focus will be on Improving our value proposition, encouraging participatory membership, infrastructural development, professionalising our secretariat and repositioning our brand.

“We will also focus on legislative and Policy advocacy, ease of doing business and expanding market opportunities. As we stand at this juncture, let us unite with optimism, determination, and a shared sense of purpose. ACCI has an illustrious past, and together, we will script an even brighter future.

” I am honoured to lead as your President and eagerly anticipate collaborating with each of you to realise our collective vision of a thriving business community in Abuja,” he said.

Expressing his appreciation for the honour of being the 12th President of the chamber, Obegolu called for cooperation from members and stakeholders in carrying out his mandate.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Afam O. Okeke, Esq. AICMC in his congratulatory message extolled the Learned Silk adding that with his proven capacity over the years, he would take ACCI to greater heights.

A celebratory Okeke said: We are very proud of the Learned Silk and we wish him a very successful tenure. Indeed the branch is proud of all the successes he has garnered over the years. Really, it has been a season of wins and celebrations for the Unity Bar with David Owoicho Adejo-Ogiri one of our own becoming the first Nigerian to be appointed a judge of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). We are thankful to the Almighty for this great honour.”

Emeka J.P. Obegolu, SAN, PhD hails from Obeledu in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State. He is a Senior and Founding Partner of Greenfield Chambers. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Law Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka where he obtained his LL.B. (Hons), and has since been called to the Nigerian Bar. He holds a Master’s degree in Mineral Law and Policy (LL.M.) from the University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom, a Doctorate degree in Arbitration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).

He is a practicing Arbitrator and Mediator, holding Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), with much experience acting as Sole Arbitrator, Presiding Arbitrator and Counsel in commercial arbitrations, and Mediator in labour, commercial, family and communal disputes.

Emeka Obegolu is an accredited Neutral of the Uwais Dispute Resolution Centre (formerly Abuja Multi-door Courthouse), the Federal High Court ADR Centre, the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre, the Edo State Multi-door Courthouse, the Abia State Multi-door Courthouse, the Ogun State Multi-door Courthouse, and the Plateau State Multi-door Courthouse.

He has spoken in many conferences over the years, some of which are Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Tanzania Institute of Arbitrators, Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, International Bar Association, Pan African Lawyers Union, and Deutshche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and is an experienced Trainer with a concentration on Arbitration, Negotiation and Mediation.

Chief Obegolu is a past President and Life Member of the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, a past President of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), a past National General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, a past National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, a past Council member of the Council of Legal Education, and a past member of the Governing Council of the Legal Aid Council.

A member of the  IBB Golf and country club, he is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCCDRC), the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of ADR Registrars, and the 1st Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

Obegolu also sits on the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition Centre, respectively.

Sir. Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani was elected as Director-General, Prof Adesoji Adesugba became the 1st Deputy President, while Dr Aliyu Hong emerged as the 2nd Deputy President of ACCI.