Ilabeshi Gabriel, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at CapitalSage Holdings, won the Outstanding Marketing and Communications Professional of the Year at the 2025 Marketing Edge Awards. The recognition highlights his strong contributions to brand storytelling, corporate communications, and strategic marketing across several industries.

Reflecting on the honour, Gabriel said:
“When I began my journey in marketing and communications, my curiosity was simple — how do you turn a brand into a living, breathing story that people believe in? That curiosity has shaped a career where strategies evolve into stories and stories transform into sustainable growth. I see this award as a reminder that passion, consistency, and clarity of purpose are never wasted.”

This award comes as Gabriel celebrates five years of leading at CapitalSage Holdings, a diversified conglomerate with interests in agribusiness, fintech, FMCG, and healthcare. Moreover, under his guidance, the group has developed strong brands such as Johnvents Group, Kolomoni (Nigeria and The Gambia), ERCAS, and Johnvents Foods. Each brand reflects the company’s mission to build sustainable businesses with global reach.

Previously, Gabriel worked in top roles across Africa’s leading communications firms. He served as Head of Strategy and Planning at RED | For Africa, Head of Creative Strategy and Client Services at Pulse (formerly Ringier), and Account Management and Strategic Planning Executive at Porter Novelli. Through these roles, he built expertise in campaigns, partnerships, and brand positioning. As a result, he now leads CapitalSage’s reputation as a trusted conglomerate through innovative marketing and storytelling.

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The 2025 Marketing Edge Awards also brought a triple victory for CapitalSage Holdings. In addition to Gabriel’s recognition, Johnvents Group earned the award for Outstanding Indigenous Conglomerate of the Decade. Meanwhile, Founder and Group Managing Director, John Alamu, received the Business Conglomerate Leadership Award. Together, these wins reflect the company’s vision, leadership, and sustained impact across industries.

Overall, Gabriel’s professional journey spans more than a decade. Therefore, his story demonstrates how strategy, creativity, and culture can connect brands with both people and progress.

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