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Cyprus steps up maritime presence in Japan, China and South Korea

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis paid a working visit to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea from October 13 to 29, 2026 aimed at strengthening its presence in three of Asia’s major maritime markets.

According to a Deputy Ministry of Shipping announcement, the visit included bilateral meetings with government officials, participation in international maritime conferences and contacts with shipowners, shipping companies and shipyards, aimed at promoting Cyprus as an international shipping centre, highlighting the potential of the Cyprus Register of Ships and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.

In Japan, the Deputy Ministry organised a special event in Tokyo for the first time, attended by more than 120 representatives of the Japanese shipping and business community. Hadjimanolis also participated in the 5th annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, which highlighted strategic opportunities for cooperation between the international shipping community, particularly Cyprus, and the Japanese market.

During her visit, she held a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, and met with representatives of the country’s shipping industry and shipyards.

In China, Hadjimanolis attended the North Bund Forum in Shanghai, following a personal invitation from the country’s Minister of Transport, Liu Wei. Her participation in the Forum’s opening speeches highlighted Cyprus’ contribution to international maritime dialogue, at a time when preparations are also under way for the official visit of the President of the Republic to China, the announcement said.

On the sidelines of the event, she met with the Chinese Minister of Transport to discuss ways of further strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries.

She also took part in a ministerial panel at the 10th annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum – Pudong – Shanghai, as well as the official opening of Pudong International Shipping Week. Her programme included meetings with representatives of the Chinese shipping and business community, shipowners, shipping companies and shipyards.

The visit to China concluded with Hadjimanolis attending the naming ceremony of the M/V KYPROS ISLAND at the Tsuneishi shipyard in Zhoushan. The new vessel, owned by Cyprus-based Safe Bulkers, will fly the Cyprus flag.

According to the announcement, it is the first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier to join the Cyprus Register of Ships, marking an important development in its renewal and technological advancement. Safe Bulkers CEO Polys Hadjioannou and company executives accompanied the Deputy Minister at the ceremony.

In the Republic of Korea, Hadjimanolis visited Busan at the invitation of the country’s Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Hwang Jongwoo, to attend the World Maritime Day proceedings.

She took part in a high-level ministerial discussion alongside counterparts from other countries and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. She also participated in the 20th edition of the 2026 Korea Maritime Week, where she delivered an address at the opening ceremony.

On the sidelines of the event, she held a bilateral meeting with South Korea’s Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Nam Jaeheon. The two sides reaffirmed Korea’s willingness to further strengthen maritime cooperation, while a request was made to examine the updating of the existing bilateral Maritime Agreement to cover contemporary and practical issues facing the sector.

Hadjimanolis also held bilateral meetings with Norway’s Minister of Fisheries, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, and India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

The meeting with the Indian Minister focused on preparations for the Deputy Minister’s forthcoming official visit to India and the organisation of the Cyprus-India Maritime Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on November 23, 2026.

230 ATBU graduates inducted into Nigerian Society of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

A total of 230 graduates of the Department of Biochemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, have been inducted as graduate members of the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB).

The induction, which was the second to be organised by the department, was held under the conference theme: ‘The Fate Inheritance Research in Africa: The Contribution of Biochemistry in Diseases, Medicine Development and Public Health in the World.’

The ceremony marked a milestone for the graduates, recognising their academic efforts and potential contributions to scientific research and healthcare.

Speaking at the event, ATBU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, urged the inductees to apply their knowledge and skills to address societal challenges and question outdated practices in their respective workplaces.

Garba encouraged the graduates to become catalysts for positive change in whatever sectors they found themselves, including healthcare, industry, agriculture, technology and entrepreneurship.

He said, ‘As you step into the wider scientific world, hold fast to these enduring principles. Be the catalyst in every domain you enter, whether healthcare, industry, technology, agriculture, public policy or entrepreneurship.’

According to him, ‘Remember that catalysts do not force reactions; they make them happen. Challenge inefficient systems, question outdated assumptions and lower the activation energy required for positive change.’

The vice-chancellor also advised graduates to develop resilience, collaboration, professional integrity and a commitment to continuous learning, noting that scientific breakthroughs could not be achieved in isolation.

‘No biological system functions in isolation, and no transformational breakthrough is achieved alone. Build strong interdisciplinary bridges, cross-sectoral partnerships and enduring professional and personal bonds,’ he added.

He further urged them to uphold scientific integrity, accuracy and honesty, stressing that their professional reputation was more valuable than any achievement obtained through unethical practices.

In his keynote address, titled ‘The Genomic Future of Africa: How African Biochemists Transform Disease Research, Drug Discovery and Global Health,’ Prof. Ishaya Yohana challenged the inductees to identify societal problems within their areas of specialisation and develop practical solutions.

Yohana explained that genomics, which involves the study of the genetic material and makeup of organisms, had become important in understanding diseases, developing effective treatments and improving healthcare.

He said understanding individuals’ genetic makeup could help scientists determine how diseases develop and how patients respond to treatment.

He added that studying the genomes of disease-causing organisms could also help researchers develop more effective drugs.

‘Biochemists have been contributing to this because genomics began with biochemistry and molecular biology. Biochemists are pioneers in this field,’ he added.

‘We isolate genomes, sequence them, study them, understand the markers and pathways, and can mitigate whatever challenges pathogens may present,’ he further said.

The keynote speaker urged the graduates to apply their knowledge beyond laboratories and academic environments, noting that biochemistry offered opportunities to address challenges affecting different aspects of human life.

He stressed, ‘I encourage these inductees and others to look out for problems worthy of their training and find solutions to them because biochemistry studies life, the very foundation of life.’

‘They should go out there and be the change agents they call themselves in society,’ he added.

Earlier, the National President of the NSBMB, O. M. Wegwu, represented by his Vice-President, Mohammed Adamu Milala, commended ATBU for sustaining the induction programme.

He disclosed that the society was working to establish an Institute of Biochemistry in Nigeria, adding that the proposal had passed through the National Assembly and was awaiting presidential assent.

Wegwu also said the society had secured a plot of land on the outskirts of Abuja for the construction of a N15m complex to promote research, innovation and professional activities.

He encouraged the inductees to remain committed to professional excellence and contribute to the advancement of biochemistry in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the pioneer and outgoing President of the NSBMB ATBU branch, Shittu Salih, appreciated the university management and lecturers for their contributions to the graduates’ academic journey.

He described their training as demanding but rewarding, noting that the graduates had overcome several academic challenges and emerged better prepared for professional responsibilities.

Salih said, ‘We did not merely survive the journey; we grew through each challenge. We have emerged stronger, more knowledgeable, more resilient and determined to leave our footprints in the sands of our department’s history.’

He also acknowledged the efforts of their lecturers in helping them understand the value and practical relevance of biochemistry.

POLO RUNNING THIRD IN WUSHU AT YOG

DIAMNIADIO, Senegal-Angel Polo ranked third in the preliminaries of women’s Taijishan of wushu as the Philippines got off to a potential start in the Dakar 4th Youth Olympic Games on Sunday.

Polo momentarily seized the lead with 9.223 points, but eventually wound up third behind former world youth championships gold medalist Ng Zhe Nin of Singapore and Chu Yu En of Chinese-Taipei.

A favorite in the event, Ng garnered 9.300 points with Chu matching Polo’s score in the first of two events-the Taijiquan preliminaries are set Monday with the top eight on combined scores advancing to the final on Tuesday.

‘I had an error, I didn’t keep my grip on the fan properly causing me to lose my balance a bit,’ said Polo, 15, and a bronze medalist in last March’s world juniors championship in Tanjin, China.

Once in a lifetime YOG experience

JAMESRAY MISHAEL AJIDO and Riannah Chantelle Coleman and wushu athlete Angel Polo cherished every moment in their first and only experience parading the country’s colors in the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Saturday (Sunday dawn in Manila) at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.

Ajido proudly waved the Philippine colors with Coleman hoisting the Philippines label mighty and high with Polo and Chef de Mission Rocky Samson waving flaglets during the ceremony that host Dakar and Senegal and the entire African continent displaying to the world its unique culture, dances and music.

‘Very proud, and it’s a very unique experience,’ said Ajido, who on Sunday morning here plunged into action in the men’s 100 meters butterfly where his personal best of 55.01 seconds ranked third-best for a potential podium finish.

Similarly ecstatic were Coleman, who’s swimming in the women’s 200 meters breastroke on Monday, and Polo, who competed in the first of her two events, women’s Taijishian, on Sunday morning at the Diamniadio Expo Centre.

A total of 2,655 athletes aged 14 to 17 from 204 national Olympic committees plus the Refugee Olympic Team are seeing action in 25 medal sports and 10 engagement sports.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino reiterated the difficulty for the nine Filipino athletes here making the podium because of an obvious physical advantage possessed by athletes from Europe and the Americas, but was steadfast in his confidence with the Filipino bets.

Also competing here are Pi Durden Wangkay (men’s 200m) and Naomi Marjorie Caesar (women’s 800m) in athletics, Maritanya Krog (women’s road and individual time trial) in cycling, Tchelzy Maayo and Hillarion Palles III in artistic gymnastics and Jade Justine Justiniane in windsurfing.

Hillarion and Palles were due here on Sunday while Krog and Justiniane are arriving November 5 with their coaches.

Athletes overall will compete in 153 medal events across 25 sports.

Singapore hosted the first summer Youth Games in 2010. Dakar was initially due to host in 2022 but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the Games.

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry praised Dakar, Senegal and the whole of Africa in her Opening Ceremony speech.

‘This is a historic moment for Senegal, for Africa and for our entire Olympic family’ said Coventry, an Olympic swimming gold medalist from Zimbabwe and the first African head of the IOC.

Conspicuous at the Opening Ceremong was Russia and its 13 athletes who are competing under its national flag for the first time since its suspension for invading Ukraine in 2022.

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The refugee team, meanwhile, consists of six athletes based in Kenya and Uganda athletics, judo and taekwondo.

Singapore hosted the first YOG in 2010, followed by Nanjing in 2018, Buenos Aires in 2018 and Dakar was supposed to host the YOG in 2022 but was postponed because of the pandemic.

Polo will again compete in the women’s Taijiquann preliminaries on Monday, the same day Coleman debuts in the pool in the women’s 200 meters breaststroke heats.

Artistic gymnastics starts on November 7, followed the next day by cycling’s women’s individual time trial, athletics and windsurfing of sailing.

The Philippines has so far two medals in the YOG-Luis Gabriel Moreno won a gold medal in mixed international team event of archery with China’s Li Jiaman in Nanjing and Christian Tio silver in boys’ twin-tip racing of kiteboarding.

Ajadi, Kamorudeen, AKT commission 500KVA transformer for Ifedapo community

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, on Saturday joined the Executive Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru, and the lawmaker representing Lagelu State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akintunde Olajide (AKT), to commission a 500KVA electricity transformer donated to the Ifedapo Residents Association in Akobo, Oyo State.

The transformer, donated by the Lagelu local government chairman under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, is expected to improve electricity supply and address the power needs of residents in the community.

Speaking at the event, Ajadi highlighted the importance of reliable electricity infrastructure to residential communities, noting that a stable power supply supports household activities, small businesses and broader community development.

He commended Kamorudeen for the intervention, describing the donation as a practical response to the electricity challenges facing residents of Ifedapo.

Ajadi also acknowledged the importance of the project to the community and called for sustained cooperation among government officials, community leaders and residents to address local development needs.

In his remarks, Kamorudeen emphasised the importance of providing essential infrastructure to improve the living conditions of residents.

He described the donation of the 500KVA transformer as part of efforts to improve electricity supply in Ifedapo, noting that reliable power was essential to households, traders and other residents whose daily activities depend on electricity.

He also stressed the need for cooperation among government authorities, community leaders and residents to sustain development initiatives at the grassroots level.

A resident of Ifedapo, Engr. Waheed Adeola, expressed appreciation to Kamorudeen, Ajadi and other stakeholders who contributed to the project.

He noted that the provision of the transformer would help improve living conditions and support the daily activities of households within the community.

Also speaking at the event, an APM leader, Hon. Jide Adeniran, appealed to residents to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Adeniran urged voters to support Governor Seyi Makinde, whom he identified as the party’s presidential candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, its Oyo State governorship candidate, and Ajadi, its Oyo Central senatorial candidate, alongside other candidates contesting on the party’s platform.

He encouraged residents to consider the party’s candidates during the elections, stressing the importance of political support for its development agenda.

The presence of AKT, who represents Lagelu State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, further highlighted the involvement of political stakeholders in the community development initiative.

The commissioning of the transformer underscores the importance of electricity infrastructure in improving living conditions, supporting commercial activities and promoting development in residential communities.

Troops lay ambush, kill two bandits in Kogi

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have killed two suspected bandits in an ambush along the Adankolo-Apata Road in Kogi State.

The operation, carried out on Saturday by Sector 3 troops, followed intelligence reports about the movement of suspected criminals around Kabba-Bunu and Lokoja Local Government Areas.

According to a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle, the troops intercepted the suspects along a suspected supply route, forcing them to flee.

A subsequent search of the Adankolo Forest led to the recovery of two bodies believed to be those of the fleeing suspects.

Items recovered included a locally made pistol, a cartridge and an empty 7.62mm special ammunition case.

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops and urged residents to provide security agencies with useful information.

Caleb British School emerges national champion at Zenith Bank’s young innovators’ challenge

Caleb British International School (CBIS), Abijo, Lagos, has emerged national champion at the Zenith Bank Future Innovators Challenge Zecathon 6.0.

Represented by a quartet of senior secondary students – Deborah Iweha, Makayla Inyere, Fife Alonge, and Okeke Janelle, the winning team, carted home the grand prize of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) for their groundbreaking project, ReLearn.

ReLearn actively bridges educational gaps by allowing children in underserved communities to access quality learning materials at a fraction of the market price.

Instead of allowing old textbooks to sit idle in homes after an academic session, the ReLearn platform seamlessly redistributes them to students in need.

The Future Innovators Challenge is Zenith Bank’s innovation contest dedicated to senior secondary schools, organised in partnership with Beyond Limits as part of the broader Zecathon 6.0 2026 innovation programme.

The programme provides African students early exposure to technology, teamwork, and problem-solving, offering a combined N10 million prize pool for the top three schools.

With the N5,000,000 prize money, the CBIS team plans to scale the ReLearn

platform beyond Caleb group of schools to provide more textbooks for *indegent* Nigerian students.

‘This national success is a firm validation of our huge investment in modern, state-of-the-art ICT learning hubs, tech innovation labs, and world-class audiovisual laboratories,’ Oladega Adebogun, the director of the Caleb Group of Schools, stated.

He described the CBIS team as worthy ambassadors of the Caleb brand, which prioritises excellent academic performance with high moral standards.

Adebogun added that the feat is no surprise, as the Caleb Group of Schools-spanning Lekki, Magodo, and the Lagos Mainland has consistently established itself as a citadel of academic excellence and a nurturing ground for future entrepreneurs.

‘The platform helps families save money and ensures no child goes to school without the right set of books,’ Deborah Iweha, one of the CBIS team members stated.

According to her, the ReLearn project directly aligns with three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12).

Tinubu hosts Ribadu, Gbaja, 5 govs to dinner in Makkah

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has beseeched Almighty Allah to transform Nigeria’s rich diversity into a source of prosperity, unity, peace and sustainable development for the benefit of all Nigerians.

President Tinubu offered the prayer on Sunday in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while hosting members of his delegation to a dinner.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement after the dinner quoted the President as saying that he hoped ‘Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity would continue to serve as a source of strength and national advancement rather than division’.

Tinubu also stressed the need for citizens to embrace mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and a shared commitment to the country’s progress.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would bless Nigeria with enduring peace, harmony and prosperity, and grant the nation’s leaders the ‘wisdom, courage and foresight to steer the country towards greater development and improved living conditions for its people.

‘May Almighty Allah bless Nigeria, convert our diversity into prosperity as a country,’ the President said.

Tinubu also prayed for divine guidance and protection for Nigerians at home and abroad, asking Allah to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among citizens and inspire a renewed spirit of patriotism, compassion and service to the nation.

The President noted that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources, coupled with the talents, creativity and enterprise of its diverse population, provided a strong foundation for building a prosperous and inclusive nation.

The dinner with members of his delegation in Makkah provided an opportunity for fellowship and reflection on Nigerians’ shared aspirations for a peaceful, united and prosperous country.

Tinubu urged Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds to keep working together in the national interest, expressing confidence that, with faith in Almighty Allah, unity of purpose, and collective determination, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and realise its full potential.

On his part, Chairman of BUA, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isiaka Rabiu, reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

‘Today is actually the third dinner we’re having with His Excellency Mr President since we came to Makkah on Thursday night or Friday morning when Mr President arrived.

‘So, we discussed, and the discussion was, you know, to always continue to pray for Nigeria, for peace, for unity and for Nigeria’s prosperity. To also thank His Excellency for his passion, for what he’s doing for Nigeria.

‘And also for us, it’s quite important because, as I said, it has given us the opportunity to come and pray not only for ourselves and our families, but also for Nigeria.

‘We will continue to support His Excellency in whatever capacity we can and definitely, as you all know, Mr President is very passionate about the country. He’s working very hard, and we’ll continue to support him,’ he said.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, said the forum is overwhelmed by the President’s passion and commitment to achieving a united and prosperous nation.

‘Only Allah can reward you; we will continue to pray for you daily and pray for Nigeria that you lead. May Allah continue to strengthen you in making the right decisions, strengthen your wisdom, your boldness, your audacity, your courage. May Allah lead you to the right path,’ he said.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi SAN, also prayed for Almighty Allah to continue to strengthen the President in his determination to deliver governance and justice to all Nigerians irrespective of their religion or ethnic backgrounds.

The dinner was attended by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Namadi, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc Mr Wale Tinubu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.

Customs deepens collaboration with six agencies to tackle money laundering

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged six federal government agencies to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in tackling cross-border illicit financial flows, money laundering, corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and other related offences.

This was during a three-day visit, held from 27 to 29 October 2026, led by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu.

It focused on deepening strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing among the agencies to combat financial crimes and other illicit activities.

The agencies include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Speaking during the engagements, Shuaibu expressed that the initiative was aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination in addressing threats to Nigeria’s economy and national security. ‘The sole objective of this mission is to effectively detect and disrupt cross-border illicit financial flows.

The measures include field visits to selected border stations to assess practical Customs control measures and engage with relevant agencies.’ Shuaibu Said.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Intelligence Security Service Sector, Muhammed-Mustapha, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in combating smuggling and reinforcing border security.

He also noted the longstanding relationship between the two institutions.

‘When NFIU was created, NCS was the first to collaborate with us. No particular agency understands things better than how Customs does globally,’ Mustapha said.

Meanwhile, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Team, led by Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, interacted with the agencies on approaches to addressing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT).

The team also called for stronger collaboration with the NCS to ensure the success of the initiative.

During the engagements, participants identified communication gaps, bureaucracy and database privacy concerns, among others, as impediments to effective inter-agency collaboration.

The discussions also explored measures to address these challenges and strengthen institutional synergy.

The engagements also featured the presentation of NCS awards and WCO certificates to the agencies, demonstrating the Service’s commitment to enhance collaboration in tackling threats to Nigeria’s economy and national security.

2027: Bayelsa PDP adopts Tinubu as rainbow coalition candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has formally adopted President Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the National Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The adoption followed the presentation of a memo at a joint meeting of the expanded State Caucus and the party’s 100th State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, held at the PDP secretariat in Yenagoa.

The meeting also ratified a memo passing a vote of confidence in the national leader of the Rainbow Coalition and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in recognition of his leadership in rescuing and preserving the PDP as an opposition party.

The PDP Chairman in Bayelsa State and leader of the Rainbow Coalition, Chief George Alabh Turnah, commended party members for remaining resolute in their support for the party.

He also praised Wike for his role in preserving the PDP, saying God had used him to save the party from those who wanted to destroy it.

” As a political party, we thank God that he has preserved the party at the state and national level. Especially when some who grew through this party chose to bury the party, God took some of us, through the help of our national leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, to rescue and restore the party. We shall be eternally grateful to him” he said.

Turnah, who said the party under his leadership would not allow itself to be gagged, also criticised the Bayelsa State Government over what he described as poor economic performance.

He lamented the alleged shortage of drugs and medical personnel at primary healthcare centres, accusing the state government of failing to fulfil its promise of prosperity for residents.

On agriculture, Turnah expressed concern over the condition of farmers in the state, which he attributed to a lack of government support.

” The agricultural sector in Bayelsa has collapsed. Our farmers have no support, and they are suffering. All the fish ponds established by the former administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson have been abandoned.”

He also renewed his criticism of the Bayelsa Stadium project, saying the administration of Governor Douye Diri should prioritise unemployment, poverty and the provision of social services.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, Turnah urged residents to vote for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, saying the group had presented credible and competent candidates who would restore prosperity to the state.

Natural resources not enough guarantee for prosperity without entrepreneurship – Makinde

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, has reiterated the importance of entrepreneurship to economic prosperity, noting that Nigeria’s natural resources alone could not guarantee prosperity without entrepreneurship, skills, knowledge and intensive production.

Makinde acknowledged the significance of having a growing group of businesses headquartered in Ibadan, and commended CapitalSage Holdings for its entrepreneurial journey and contributions to economic development in Oyo State and Nigeria.

‘Somebody has to take the risk on behalf of the people, so John Alamu and team, I congratulate you. I thank you for taking the risk on our behalf,’ he stated at the recent 10th anniversary and launch of CapitalSage Holdings’ new global headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He also pledged the state government’s continued support, while encouraging businesses and partners to work with the group. ‘When I was looking at your profile, I saw that you now have about 20 companies in the group. And those 20 companies are headquartered here.

‘I can assure you that we will continue to give our support as a government because we want you to continue to provide jobs and grow the economy of Oyo State,’ Makinde stated.

John Alamu, founded and group managing director, CapitalSage Holdings, stated that the new headquarters reinforces the group’s commitment to building from Nigeria while serving markets beyond its borders.

‘A business can have global ambitions without abandoning its roots. From Ibadan, we can build for Nigeria. From Nigeria, we can build for Africa. And from Africa, we can build for the world. That is what we are doing,’ Alamu stated.

He reiterated that the business started 10 years ago with personal conviction that problems could become businesses. ‘So, for us, the next ten years cannot simply be about becoming bigger.’

He disclosed that the next 10 years would be about creating generational wealth built on stronger, more enduring legacies. ‘We want to build businesses that a generation after us can inherit, improve and take further,’ Alamu stated.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, CapitalSage Holdings held a three-day public exhibition between October 29 and 31, 2026, at CapitalSage House, Kenneth Dike, Secretariat Road, Ibadan.

The exhibition opened daily at 10:00 a.m., allowing visitors to explore participating businesses, discover products and services, and engage directly with representatives across the group.

As CapitalSage Holdings enters its next decade, Alamu reiterated that the group remains focused on developing its businesses, strengthening partnerships and contributing to economic activity through enterprise, innovation and job creation.

He added that the business has grown over the past decade into a diversified group of companies with interests spanning financial services and technology, agriculture and food processing, manufacturing, healthcare, and cross-border payment solutions.