By AMAWU Cletus Albert Amawu
Sankwala, Obanliku LGA – In a bid to foster sustainable development and community empowerment, the Vice Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Amb. (Mrs.) Glory Awowoh, warmly welcomed a delegation from Cygnus Alliance Nigeria Limited to the Council Headquarters. The visit, which took place in the auspices of the Council Chairman’s direction, though unavoidably absence due to some other engagement elsewhere highlighted mutual interest in impactful partnerships
“I want to thank you sincerely for your presence here today,” said Mrs Awowoh. “We are delighted to receive you and are open to collaborations that can spur growth and advancement in Banco. As you rightly observed, we have lagged behind in some areas. Therefore, any initiative aimed at improving our local economy is a welcome development, any day, any time.”
She expressed a desire to better understand the operational framework of Cygnus Alliance’s initiatives. “Before we proceed, I must say I haven’t fully grasped the nature of your programmes. What exactly do you do when you come into a community? Are these empowerment schemes? Do you offer start-up support, or is it about educational materials for students? Please, help us understand your approach.”
“We are not just here to make profit. We are here to make a difference,” declared Mr Ugal Godwin, Chief Operations Officer of Cygnus Alliance Nigeria. “With proper support and synergy between Cygnus and the local government, we can create a ripple effect, boosting micro-businesses, generating employment, and inspiring other regions to emulate the Obanliku model.”
A Vision Rooted in Agriculture and Empowerment
The organisation’s approach will involve everything from crop production and livestock management to agribusiness strategy and sustainable farming practices. In partnership with institutions such as the Bank of Industry, the goal is to provide beneficiaries with access to funding needed to kick-start their own ventures.
However, as Mr Godwin stressed, “Knowledge remains the entry point—students must understand the full value chain of agriculture before pitching their ideas. This process creates informed entrepreneurs, not just participants.”
Obanliku’s fertile soil and organic farming traditions present an exceptional opportunity. The clean, chemical-free methods practised in the area produce healthier, more valuable crops and align with increasing global demand for organic food. Investors from the UAE and India are already expressing interest in sourcing produce from the region.
A Sustainable Roadmap for the Next Decade
Cygnus Alliance’s 10-year vision includes agricultural production, export value chains, education, technology integration, and microenterprise development. If fully realised, this plan will position Obanliku on the global map as a model of grassroots innovation and rural transformation.
Community Engagement and the Cygnus Alliance Initiative
Mr UNIE Patrick E., Supervisory Agent & Field Manager, expanded on the need for active community involvement: “Across our communities and schools, a transformative opportunity is emerging, one that seeks not to extract, but to invest, nurture and uplift.”
Through the Cygnus Alliance Nigeria programme, Cygnus will assess school and community readiness, conduct disability studies, and ensure inclusive participation. “Are they prepared to welcome this programme? Are they equipped, both mentally and structurally, to sustain and support it?” Mr UNIE asked.
To ensure community buy-in, Cygnus will launch awareness campaigns targeting students, parents, and local stakeholders. “Imagine a student leaving secondary school not just with a certificate, but with skills—real, income-generating skills,” he noted. “Agriculture gave me dignity. That same opportunity should be extended to our youth.”
Teacher Training and Respect for Culture
The programme also includes teacher training and volunteer mentorship to ensure quality delivery. Cultural respect is fundamental. “We will never impose foreign values or ignore local customs,” Mr UNIE affirmed. “When community leaders are part of the planning and execution, the programme becomes theirs.”
Technological Transformation: AI, Blockchain and Agro-Investment
Mr ANIASHI Godspower, Chief Technology Officer of Cygnus Alliance Nigeria, presented a transformative vision: a fusion of technology, culture, and community development. “Over the past few years, our mission has evolved. Today, we stand on the threshold of a transformative journey involving three core pillars: artificial intelligence, people currency (blockchain-driven community support), and a culturally infused gaming and animation ecosystem.”
Originally developed for the healthcare sector, the blockchain-based “people currency” system ensures transparency in resource allocation. Now adapted for agriculture, this platform allows for visible, unalterable tracking of all transactions—an attractive feature for international investors.
“Our cryptocurrency project, once tethered to healthcare, is now being repurposed for agro-investment,” he revealed. “This is not just fundraising, this is building a decentralised, community-driven economy.”
Cygnus is also piloting the cultivation of black rice—a high-nutrient, low-glycaemic crop suitable for diabetic patients. After importing seeds from Thailand, the first round of seed multiplication was completed successfully, with the second phase underway.
An AI-powered system is being developed to gather and analyse real-time field data from farms across Obanliku. “We’re creating a digital ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and agriculturalists with data for better decision-making,” Mr ANIASHI stated. The digital classroom will combine practical learning with analytics, cultivating agriculturally literate citizens.
Cultural Revival Through Creative Tech
Cygnus also seeks to reclaim Africa’s stories through gaming and animation. “We boast over 1,000 deities across the continent. From Bendi to Upe, our folklore is rich with potential,” said Mr ANIASHI. “Now, we’re turning that into interactive entertainment.”
Animations have already been rendered, and Cygnus is exploring partnerships with global gaming platforms like Nintendo and Sony. “This is about turning our cultural heritage into economic value. Once launched, this will be a multi-million-dollar project with a global audience and a local heart.”
Building a Mini Silicon Valley
To support all these initiatives, Cygnus plans to establish a “mini Silicon Valley” in the Valley region. This innovation hub will serve as a centre for research, learning, and incubation, with programmes in AI, agriculture, and blockchain. Regular seminars, excursions, and school collaborations are planned.
“This hub will nurture talent and ignite curiosity,” Mr ANIASHI added. “We aim to provide tangible pathways to success.”
Laying the Groundwork
Already, Cygnus has submitted two letters to local government authorities—one requesting office space within the new Education Authority building or Civil Defence office. “With a dedicated office, our work becomes more structured and visible,” said Mr UNIE. “All reports, meetings, and community engagements can be streamlined under one roof.”
Cygnus is not waiting for government funding to act. “We are starting with what we have,” Mr Godwin stated. “We ask only for policies and an enabling environment that support our work.”
A Call to Partnership
Cygnus Alliance Nigeria is more than a company, it is a movement. If you take advantage of the opportunity of our initiative, it will be a win-win for all parties for the Obanliku Local Government Area, educational institutions, and foreign investors. Hence, the could offer a replicable model for development across Africa.
“The future we seek is one where young people leave school with skills, where communities are actively engaged in development, and where local partnerships yield lasting impact,” Mr Godwin concluded. “That journey starts now.”
The climax was marked by the presentation of the Eyungwor portrait to the Council, symbolising sovereignty and heralding a new destiny. Eyungwor, the Bee Sovereign—a once-revered Becheve deity reborn as a modern guardian of nature and justice,- commands bees, heals through sacred hives, and enforces divine judgement. Present were Amb. Mrs Glory Awowoh, Vice Chairman of Council, Dr. Agba Joseph, Secretary of Council, Mr Ugbo Gabriel Kukanung, Supervisor for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Security, Mr Akpo Sunday Ayang, Special Adviser on Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Kayang, CPS to Chairman, Mr Ugal Godwin B., Mr Aniashi Godspower, Mr Unie Patrick E., and Comrade Amawu Cletus Albert A., key figures from Obanliku LGA and Cygnus Alliance Nigeria Limited, affirming support for Eyungwor’s mission.
By AMAWU Cletus Albert Amawu.
Head, Media/Publicity,
Cygnus Alliance Nigeria Limited.