By Azogor Ideba
In the vibrant landscape of Nigerian entrepreneurship and politics, few figures shine as brightly as James Alicha Okpamu. His remarkable achievements, including the prestigious Presidential Award of Honour in 2015 and the BusinessDay Newspapers Award for one of the Top 100 Fast Growing Businesses in Nigeria in 2019, reflect his deep commitment to nurturing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation.
Born in the picturesque town of Ogoja, Cross River State, Okpamu’s academic journey began at St. Colman’s Primary School, Utugwang, Obudu, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1976. He later proceeded to the School of Remedial Studies, Ogoja, for his Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 1989. Okpamu’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a National Diploma in Law at The Polytechnic, Calabar in 2000. He furthered his education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar in 2019.
His entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age, leading him to establish Jamel Technical Ltd and Jamel Aluminium Roofing in Ogoja in 1988. As the Managing Director of these companies, he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, driving innovation and growth in the MSME sector. His expertise and influence extended beyond his businesses, as he took on various leadership roles, including: State Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (2011; State Mentor, YouWin Program (Federal Ministry of Finance) (2012); Vice President, Calabar Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (2015); Director General, Cross River State Export Promotion Bureau (2022).
Alicha’s commitment to excellence has taken him to international platforms, where he has acquired valuable certifications and training. Some notable examples include: Entrepreneurial Leadership Development at the Pan African University, Lagos (2011); Enterprise Leaders Training at the China Centre for Promotion of SME, Beijing, China (2012); Business Growth training at the USA Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) (2013); ISO9001 Certification from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) (2015).
Alicha’s passion for public service and community development has led him to participate in various political activities where he had played the following roles: Local Government Delegate to Non-Party Election (1994); State Publicity Secretary, United Nigeria Congress Party (1996); State Organising Secretary, All Peoples Party (1999); Member, All Progressive Congress (2015).
His outstanding contributions to the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria have earned him numerous awards, including: Presidential ‘Award of Honour’ for Contributing to the Growth of MSMEs in Nigeria (2015); BusinessDay Newspapers ‘Award of Honour’ for the Top 100 Fast Growing Business in Nigeria (2019).
James Alicha Okpamu’s remarkable journey is a shining example of entrepreneurial excellence, leadership, and dedication to community service.
His numerous achievements and awards are a testament to his hard work and commitment to the growth and development of MSMEs in Nigeria. As a role model, Okpamu’s story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in their communities.
