Exhibit 99.906CERT

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Stephen C. Miller, President of the First Opportunity Fund, Inc. (the “Registrant”), certify that:

1.       The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of  Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date:	December 4, 2009	/s/ Stephen C. Miller
		Stephen C. Miller, President
		(Principal Executive Officer)

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Carl D. Johns, Vice President and Treasurer of the First Opportunity Fund, Inc. (the “Registrant”), certify that:

1.        The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date:	December 4, 2009	/s/ Carl D. Johns
		Carl D. Johns, Vice President and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)