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Processing of cocoa into finished products for export has been described as more profitable to Nigeria’s economy than exporting raw cocoa beans.

John Alamu, founder and Group Managing Director of CapitalSage Holdings, stated this while speaking on how he started his business, which has turned into a conglomerate, with a sum of N100,000 in 2014.

He disclosed that an exporter of raw cocoa would make $8000 per tonne, but if processed to finished products like chocolate, the exporter would make 30 times of exporting it raw.

According to him, ‘export raw cocoa and you make $8,000 per tonne. Turn it into butter and you earn six times more. Make chocolate, and the value rises up to 30 times.’

This philosophy, Alamu said, has been the driving force of the Group’s evolution into a fully integrated value chain company.

Alamu, who is driving value across several sectors, has as the company’s subsidiaries, Johnvents Group, which is currently a rising global integrated value chain participant.

It has become one of the leading supply chain participants and processors of sesame, cocoa, legumes, cashew, soya, edible nuts, rice and rubber, boasting millions of dollars in annual revenue.

He disclosed that with ten factories, including Johnvents Industries and Premium Cocoa Products (Ile-Oluji), one of Nigeria’s oldest cocoa plants, the Group possesses the capacity to process up to 48,000MT of cocoa annually for export to Europe, Asia, and the US.

Johnvents Group (CapitalSage Holdings’ agribusiness group) is, through its business units, building strength across multiple agri commodities and consumer markets.

He explained that its cocoa unit anchors global exports of butter, liquor, cake, and powder, while the sesame and legumes unit sources and supplies premium-grade sesame, soya, and grains from multiple origins across Africa and beyond.

According to him, cashew and edible nuts add further diversity to the company, expanding Africa’s presence in the global nut value chain.

The edible oil, feed and water unit powers agro-industrial complexes with oils feed, and bottled water, employing hundreds of women in the process.

Alamu disclosed that the rice and rubber unit contributes to food and industrial crop security, while the FMCG division delivers household-ready products such as cocoa powder, beverages, cereals, and seasoning cubes to a growing distributor network.

In a recent Forbes Africa Independence Day Edition, Alamu disclosed that with N100,000 in 2014, he began offering small loans to farmers and market women in rural areas in Nigeria.

This along the line evolved into CapitalSage Holdings, a diversified conglomerate spanning agribusiness, finance, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.

He explained that ‘We started with N100,000, today, we’re building global businesses from Africa.

‘Today, CapitalSage Holdings employs over 2,000 people directly, supports more than 10,000 farmers, operating across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.’

Meanwhile, Kolomoni, which is the company’s fintech arm, claims thousands of point-of-sale agents, merchant and network managers, advancing financial inclusion in a country where nearly 40 percent of the population remains unbanked.

Ercas, another fintech, underpins digital transactions and back-end infrastructure for payments.

However, despite the successes recorded, Alamu said the mission is more than corporate success, but rather economic independence.

He said: ‘The next struggle, like independence, is economic freedom. ‘That requires courage, disruption, and African confidence.’

CapitalSage Holdings’ fintech arm, CapitalSage Technology, has recorded uncommon feat as it currently holds a BBB+ credit rating from all three Nigerian SEC-recognised agencies, GCR, Agusto and Co., and DataPro, which is a strong signal of governance, transparency, and fiscal discipline.

Likewise, Johnvents Group, the agribusiness and manufacturing subsidiary, maintains its own BBB+ rating, which further reinforced the Group’s credibility and performance strength in capital markets.

Recognising the contributions of Alamu to Nigeria and Africa’s economy, he recently received the Business Conglomerate Leadership Award at the Marketing Edge Awards.

This is to serve as impetus for his vision of building enduring businesses across Africa’s most critical sectors.

Nevertheless, Alamu’s giant stride shows that Africa’s economic future lies not in raw exports but in transformation, value addition, and bold leadership.

The Board of Trustees Edo Unity League has commended the Government of Edo State, the Federal Government and the entire facilitators of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) for the vision in siting the monumental edifice in Benin City.

The Group said the monumental edifice, which in all intents and purposes, spotlights the indefatigability of the Benin cultural heritage in the comity of African cultural entities.

Akenuwa Obarogie, Professor and Coordinator General, Edo Unity League, who made the commendation in a statement, noted that the edifice confirmed that the Benin nation is the centre of a cultural microcosm in Africa, a truism that cannot be tainted.

According to Obarogie, arising from a Steering Committee meeting on the inauguration of a Cultural Renaissance Summit planning committee, the Board of Trustees of the Edo Unity League presented in an official statement of appreciation to the Government of Edo State, the Federal Government and the entire facilitators of the Museum of West African Arts, Benin City.

‘That the Benin nation is the centre of a cultural microcosm in Africa is a truism that cannot be tainted; therefore, the preservation as well as the commercial subscription to the Museum’s services is a sacred duty that the average Edo man and woman owes the world-class heritage viewing destination.

‘The recent endorsement of the Museum of West African Arts in a viral video by a worldwide Arts and Culture intellectual, High Priest Osemwengie Ebohon, is worthy of emulation, and this deserves commendation.

‘We respectfully call on all public and private tertiary institutions to make the Museum a point of reference in practicals and research explorations.

‘We also called on cultural and business entities in Nigeria and the diaspora to rally the Museum to succeed exceedingly, and to attract other multinational cultural heritage investments in our dear State,’ he declared.

Nigeria is positioning its agriculture sector for a decade-long transformation as it adopts the Kampala Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security (2026-2036) – a continental framework designed to drive sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and regional trade growth.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, announced the development during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), themed ‘From Kampala to Abuja: Transforming Agrifood Systems in Nigeria,’ held in Abuja on Monday.

Kyari said the declaration would strengthen Nigeria’s agrifood systems by promoting climate-smart innovations, enhancing value chains, and reducing post-harvest losses that currently cost the country over ?3.5 trillion annually.

‘We must move beyond business-as-usual approaches and embrace bold reforms that make our food systems more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable,’ the minister stated.

Kyari revealed that the Federal Government has already committed $538.05 million – in partnership with private investors – to establish Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with additional zones in the pipeline.

The initiative, he said, is expected to attract up to $1 billion in additional private sector investment by 2027, while creating jobs, strengthening local manufacturing, and expanding export potential for agro-products.

‘The SAPZs will serve as industrial hubs that promote value addition, enhance productivity, and boost farmers’ income,’ Kyari explained.

He also highlighted the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at minimizing storage losses, improving logistics, and optimizing value chains to enhance food security and profitability.

‘Our investment drive will create a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system – one that contributes directly to economic growth and livelihood improvement,’ he said.

The minister emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments to maximize investment impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

‘Synergy between all tiers of government is indispensable for achieving sustainable food security and the transformation envisioned by the Kampala Declaration,’ Kyari said, urging state commissioners of agriculture and rural development to align with national priorities and CAADP frameworks.

He added that the ministry had established an Agricultural Sector Working Group to serve as a governance mechanism, bringing together research institutions, private sector players, and civil society organizations to scale up best practices, monitor progress, and ensure accountability.

Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary, to the ministry, said the CAADP framework has already delivered tangible outcomes across Africa by aligning national agricultural policies with regional priorities.

Also speaking, Karen Yansen, head of German Cooperation, described the Kampala Declaration as ‘an evidence-based and inclusive framework that strengthens governance and promotes equity across Africa’s food systems.’

The summit brought together representatives from the Ministry of Livestock Development, German Development Cooperation (GIZ), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and State Commissioners of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries to explore strategies for scaling up investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

With the new commitments under the Kampala Declaration, Nigeria aims to reposition agriculture as a key driver of industrialization, job creation, and export diversification, strengthening its food system and contributing to Africa’s broader economic transformation agenda.

Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, a financial services group, announced the appointment of Tope Ilesanmi as the managing director/CEO of CHI Life Assurance Limited. He replaces Ose Oluyanwo who was the pioneer managing director, who has since taken on a new strategic leadership role in the Group.

In a similar vein, Patience Ugboajah has been appointed as executive director, Operations for the new Life Assurance arm of the Group.

Other new appointments to the Board are Bode Opadokun and Folashade Onanuga, as non-executive directors. All the appointments have been duly approved by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Tope Ilesanmi is an Associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria. He is a dynamic and seasoned insurance professional with close to three decades of experience in risk management, insurance underwriting, claims administration, reinsurance and marketing.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Lagos, an MBA from Bayero University, Kano and an MSC degree from the University of Port Harcourt.

Tope served as General Manager/Divisional Director at Consolidated Hallmark Insurance before his recent appointment. In this new role, Tope is expected to build on the strong brand equity of the Consolidated Hallmark Holdings to lead the new Life Insurance arm of the Group to deliver exceptional and innovative Life Assurance solutions into the Nigerian market.

Patience Ugboajah joins the board of CHI Life Assurance Limited as the executive director, Operations. She is a seasoned insurance executive and transformation leader with over 18 years of experience spanning strategy, operations, technical functions and business development across leading Nigerian insurance institutions.

Before joining CHI Life, she was acting executive director, Technical at SUNU Assurances Nigeria and had earlier served as executive director at Zenith General Insurance. She also held senior leadership roles at Allianz Nigeria and AXA Mansard, building deep expertise across life and non-life portfolios. Patience holds a National Diploma in Insurance, a B.Sc. in Economics and an Executive MBA from Lagos Business School. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, an Associate of NCRIB and CIoD, and was elected to the Governing Council of CIIN in 2024.

Bode Opadokun is a multi-versatile, prudent Insurance professional with over two decades of Underwriting, Marketing and Executive Managerial experience. He is the immediate past managing director of Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria and also served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation. He is a graduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and has an MBA in Insurance from the Delta State University. His industry footprints cover General Business and Special Risks, as well as Agricultural Insurance.

Folashade Onanuga is a chartered insurance practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in pension consultancy and was, until recently, the director general of the Lagos State Pension Commission. She earlier served as general manager/CEO with Glanvill Enthoven Life and Pension Consultants and also Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of Veritas Glanvills.

She is a graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), a Chartered Secretary of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a Fellow of the Certified Pension Institute.

CHI Life Assurance Limited, a member of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, was recently licensed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to underwrite Life Insurance business in Nigeria with a shareholders’ fund of N8 billion.

In line with the Group’s vision ‘to be the first-choice provider of Insurance and other financial services in Nigeria,’ CHI Life is strategically positioned to provide innovative, tailor-made solutions that address existing gaps in the Life Assurance market. Built on a strong legacy of professionalism, trust, and customer satisfaction, we are poised to leverage the exceptional service delivery and solid market reputation of the Group, not only to meet but also to surpass stakeholders’ expectations through prompt service to customers and exceptional returns to shareholders.

The Group Managing Director of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, who doubles as the chairman of CHI Life Assurance, congratulated Tope Ilesanmi on this new appointment. He expressed his full confidence in his ability to lead the next phase of the company’s market entry and growth. He assured him of the needed support to thrive in this new assignment, having proven himself over time as a performer. He also welcomes on board the new non-executive directors who are accomplished industry leaders.

He expressed his strong belief that their membership on the Board, working with other Board members, will help to raise the bar in delivering on the mandate of the Group.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has unveiled a perception survey for commuters’ experience on the city’s public transportation systems.

According to a statement by Lagos on its official X handle, the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Lagos Ferry Services Company (LAGFERRY), convened a one-day training session that brought together coordinators, supervisors, and enumerators from across the state who will engage commuters and collect feedback on the rail, road, and water transport services

The statement noted that the survey is designed to capture how Lagosians truly experience public transportation, not just in terms of service delivery, but in terms of impact.

‘It’s a listening exercise, a mirror held up to the system, and a tool for shaping smarter and more inclusive policies. It aligns with Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus development agenda, which emphasises traffic management, transportation, health, education, technology, and inclusive governance,’ it stated.

Delivering the keynote address, Olayinka Ojo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), represented by Alao Akinkunmi, director economic intelligence department, commended LAMATA and Lagos Ferry Services for embracing transparency and accountability through citizen engagement.

‘This initiative shows we are learning, adapting, and evolving to meet the real needs of our citizens.

‘Field officers are the first and most critical link in the data value chain. Their accuracy and professionalism directly influence how effectively the government can plan, allocate resources, and evaluate programmes,’ Ojo said.

She also highlighted the importance of empathy and public trust in the data collection process, urging enumerators to approach their work with integrity and respect for the voices of everyday Lagosians.

‘When citizens feel heard, they are more likely to participate, and that participation strengthens our democracy,’ Ojo said.

She expressed confidence that the training would empower field officers to deliver high-quality data that would shape the future of mobility in Lagos State.

Ayodeji Adegboye, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) representative, offered practical guidance to enumerators, highlighting peak operational hours (6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and the importance of understanding the various transport systems from the Ikorodu-TBS BRT to standard bus routes like Abule Egba and Oshodi, and the seven-seater (FLM) buses.

He urged officers to be patient, punctual, and professional, noting that their role is vital in clarifying transport options to the public and gathering meaningful feedback.

FAW Group, through GoCab Nigeria, has launched its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) into the Nigerian market to make sustainable mobility affordable and accessible.

According to GoCab, the introduction of these EVs marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward cleaner transportation, reduced carbon emissions, and alignment with global shifts toward sustainable energy.

The company stated that the EV range is designed to deliver cutting-edge technology and cost efficiency, while addressing the needs of Nigerian drivers across both urban and rural communities.

‘This is the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s automobile sector. Our vision is to ensure that EVs are not just seen as luxury items, but as practical, affordable, and reliable solutions for Nigerians everywhere,’ Debanjan Paul, AVP Sales, GoCab Nigeria said.

It includes features such as extended battery life, fast-charging capability, smart infotainment systems, and rugged adaptability for Nigerian roads.

The company also stated that with these vehicles, it aims to empower individuals, businesses, and public institutions to embrace cleaner energy solutions without compromising on performance or affordability.

‘In addition to introducing EVs, GoCab Nigeria is committed to collaborating with stakeholders including government agencies, energy providers, and private sector partners to build the necessary infrastructure, from charging stations to after-sales service centers, ensuring that adoption is both seamless and sustainable.

‘This initiative reflects the FAW Group’s long-term vision to redefine mobility in Africa’s largest economy, creating opportunities for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life for millions of Nigerians,’ the company stated.

GoCab Nigeria remains committed to driving transformation by delivering world-class solutions tailored to the Nigerian market. With a mission to provide affordable, efficient, and sustainable mobility, the company aims to serve both individuals and businesses alike.

The Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR) is set to hold its 14th Annual Conference and Investiture of the President-Elect on November 1.

A statement signed by Oluseyi Owoturo, president/chairman of council, ICMR said the conference with the theme: ‘Unlocking Global Value: The Evolving Role of Capital Market Registrars in Trust, Efficiency and Innovation,’ would feature Alake Olakunle, Vice President, Dangote Industries as a keynote speaker.

It noted that a key agenda of the annual conference would be the investiture of Catherine Nwosu, the Chief Executive Officer, Africa Prudential Plc, as the fourth President and Chairman of Council by the outgoing President and Chairman of Council, Oluseyi Owoturo, (the Chief Executive Officer, Coronation Registrars Ltd).

The institute said the event which holds in Lagos would be chaired by Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, while Emomotimi Agama would be the special guest of honour.

The statement further added that Toyin Sanni, founder, Emerging Africa Group would speak on the topic ‘Strategic Differentiation Through Expertise: Elevating Registrar Services in Cross-Border and Complex Transactions.’

According to the statement, other discussants at the conference include Abiodun Adebimpe of Rand Merchant Bank, Babatunde Majiyagbe of Stanbic Nominees, Fiona Ahieme of FBNQest, Haruna Jalo-Waziri of CSCS Plc and Mubo Olasoko of Meristem Nigeria.

Segilola Resources Operations Ltd. (SROL), Nigeria’s leading gold mining firm, is pushing for stronger bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to unlock Africa’s vast mineral wealth and deepen trade relations between both countries.

Speaking at the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum in Lagos, themed ‘Unlocking Africa’s Hidden Wealth: Mining as a Catalyst for Bilateral Movement,’ Austin Menegbo, SROL’s country manager, said mining can serve as a critical bridge for cross-border investment and sustainable development across the continent.

The event brought together senior executives, policymakers, and industry leaders from both countries to explore opportunities for shared prosperity through mining and related value chains.

Menegbo, who delivered the keynote address and joined a panel discussion, praised the vision and leadership of Segun Lawson, chief executive officer of Thor Explorations Ltd., SROL’s parent company. Lawson, he said, has been instrumental in positioning Segilola as a model for responsible gold mining in Nigeria’s emerging extractive sector.

‘When communities thrive, investors are protected. When investors are protected, capital flows,’ Menegbo said during the panel session. ‘That is the essence of bilateral investment. Without structures, institutions, and partnerships that sustain operations, growth becomes impossible.’

He outlined SROL’s four-pillar community agenda – gender inclusion and skills training, infrastructure development, capacity-building for local expertise, and long-term empowerment programs – as evidence of the company’s approach to sustainable mining.

The firm’s initiatives, he added, are designed to ensure host communities benefit from mining activities beyond resource extraction, creating an environment that supports both social progress and investor confidence.

SROL’s model, observers at the forum noted, offers a template for how responsible mining can catalyse broader economic cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s two largest economies.

By aligning investment with community wellbeing, SROL aims to demonstrate that mining can be a driver of inclusive growth and a foundation for deeper regional partnerships.

Governance models across industries are being examined in a time when digital disruption, changing global power arrangements, and increased transparency demand characterise society. All governments, businesses, multilateral organisations, and non-profits are struggling with the requirement to be more agile, accountable, and citizen- or stakeholder-focused. Amid this change, the principal analyst, a professional whose strategic insights and data-driven methods provide guidance for institutional reform, has an understated yet crucial role.

Governance is not only a system of rules but also a dynamic interaction of leaders, policies, oversight, and accountability structures at the heart of institutional resilience. Redesigning this environment, principal analysts play as diagnosticians and architects.

1. From governance strategy to data analysis

Principal analysts have usually been data whisperers, mining, cleaning, and interpreting data to steer decisions. Today, though, they operate much more tactically. By examining difficult interdependencies inside institutions such as stakeholder networks, performance feedback loops, and regulatory compliance measures, they assist in clarifying more responsive and adaptable governance models.

For instance, the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK revamped its integrated care systems in 2021. Mapping population health patterns, resource distribution inefficiencies, and community involvement metrics to develop a new governance model centred on locality-based results required a major contribution from a Principal Analyst group. First-year outcomes showed a 19 percent rise in patient satisfaction and a 15 percent increase in budget optimisation across areas.

2. Scenario modelling and risk-based governance

Principal analysts also play a particularly important role in scenario modelling, which helps organisations see the potential long-term effects of several policy or plan decisions. This is particularly critical in the unstable conditions of today’s climate crises, geopolitical conflict, and market uncertainty.

Consider the World Bank’s implementation of governance changes in fragile countries. Predictive models were used by principal analysts to forecast the socio-economic impact of decentralisation policies in South Sudan. By guiding a hybrid model of local and central government, adapted to the ethnic and resource-based variety of the region, these simulations assisted in reducing the hazards of power imbalances.

Anti-corruption systems also have their foundations in statistical modelling. Revealed in 2022 by the Open Government Partnership (OGP), nations using predictive analytics to detect procurement fraud were 2.5 times more likely to impose punishments and produce deterrence. In countries such as Estonia and Singapore, principal analysts helped create these AI-driven dashboards that flag anomalies, therefore supporting excellent governance in public service delivery.

Recalibrating Institutional Accountability Through Data and Insights

Accountability is key to good governance. When institutions lack clear metrics, they can end up being either unclear or just putting on a show. Principal analysts help with this by creating performance indicators, setting benchmarks, and establishing evaluation methods that make accountability part of the institution’s culture.

1. Data-driven transparency

For institutions looking to rebuild public trust, being transparent is not just a nice thing to do; it’s a necessity. For example, in 2020, Denmark’s Ministry of Finance introduced a public expenditure tracker that showed real-time budget usage across different ministries. A team led by principal analysts put together the metrics and dashboards for this project, resulting in a 22 percent boost in public trust towards government spending, according to Eurobarometer. Likewise, big companies are starting to depend on principal analysts to improve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports.

When Unilever revamped its governance with a focus on sustainability, its principal analysts created a dashboard that linked environmental data with executive performance. This approach not only built investor confidence but also helped raise Unilever’s ESG score by 18 percent in just two years.

2. Learning and feedback

Principal analysts also play a role in helping institutions learn and improve-something that’s crucial for good governance. They set up feedback systems like surveys, audits, and community chats to keep governance models up to date. A good example is New Zealand’s education reform, where principal analysts put together a national dashboard that combined student performance, teacher feedback, and parent involvement metrics. This real-time feedback loop enabled the Ministry of Education to allocate resources better, helping struggling schools. They managed to improve literacy scores for low-income students by 12% in three years.

The key to their success? Continually refining their processes. Institutions that adopt these analytical frameworks can stay flexible, accountable, and in sync with what their communities need.

Conclusion

With governance failures often making the news, we should highlight these essential reformers, Principal Analysts, who are working quietly yet effectively to build stronger institutions. As we move into an age focused on accountability and serving citizens better, it’s evident that we can’t progress without Principal Analysts leading the way in redesigning governance.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi Central senator, has returned to the Senate on Tuesday after serving her six months suspension.

The Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday with Jibrin Barau, the Deputy Senate President presiding over the session.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South).

The committee had found her guilty of unruly behaviour on the floor of the Senate on February 20, 2025, during her protest against seat reallocation ordered by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Senate had on Tuesday, September 23 unsealed her office and granted her full access to the National Assembly complex.