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Florence Eshalomi Becomes UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria

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Florence Eshalomi

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Labour (Co-op) Member of Parliament for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Ms Florence Eshalomi, has been appointed by the United Kingdom Government as the trade envoy to Nigeria.

She is part of a new global growth team of UK Trade Envoys appointed by the UK Trade Secretary, Mr Jonathan Reynolds, to drive UK exports and investment as the British government pulls every lever available to drive economic growth under its Plan for Change.

She takes over from Ms Helen Grant, who was the Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.

Ms Eshalomi is part of 32 parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum and tasked with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in the assigned target markets across six continents.

Each market has been identified as presenting significant potential for growing UK trade and Trade Envoys are appointed on their ability, relevant skills and experience.

According to Mr Reynolds, “Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this government and a key part of our Plan for Change.

“That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”

Speaking on the appointment, the Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, Mr Mark Smithson, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP as the new UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria and look forward to working with her to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for our two nations”

Ms Eshalomi and the other 31 MPs will work closely with the DBT, bringing in their previous government-to-government experience, to bolster exports, attract investments, and remove trade barriers in their respective markets.

The announcement comes ahead of the new Trade Strategy in Spring, which will prioritise rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU and seizing opportunities to access new markets further afield.

Other appointments include: Mr Afzal Khan MP appointed to Türkiye, Mr Alex Sobel MP appointed to Ukraine, Mr Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP appointed to Ghana, Mr Ben Coleman MP appointed to Morocco & Francophone West Africa, Mr Calvin Bailey MP appointed to Southern Africa, Ms Carolyn Harris MP appointed to New Zealand, Mr Dan Carden MP appointed to Mexico, Mr David Pinto-Duschinsky MP appointed to Switzerland & Lichtenstein, Mr Fabian Hamilton MP appointed to Southern Cone, Mr George Freeman MP appointed to Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore & Brunei, Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride appointed to Jordan, Kuwait & the Palestine Territories, and Lord Ian Austin of Dudley appointed to Israel.

Baroness Jane Ramsey of Wall Heath appointed to Ethiopia, Ms Jess Morden MP appointed to Central America, Lord John Alderdice appointed to Azerbaijan & Central Asia, Lord John Hannett of Everton appointed to Sri Lanka, Lord John Speller of Smethwick appointed to Australia, Mr Josh MacAlister MP appointed to Brazil, Ms Kate Osamor MP appointed to East Africa, Mr Matt Western MP appointed to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Mr Mohammad Yasin MP appointed to Pakistan, Mr Naz Shah MP appointed to Indonesia & ASEAN, Ms Paulette Hamilton MP appointed to Commonwealth Caribbean, Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester appointed to Taiwan, Lord Roger Liddle appointed to Andean, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan appointed to South Africa, Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster appointed to Bangladesh, Ms Sarah Olney MP appointed to North Africa, Ms Sharon Hodgson MP appointed to Japan,  Lord Tom Watson of Wyre Forest appointed to Republic of Korea, and Ms Yasmin Qureshi MP appointment to Egypt.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Jobs/Appointments

Tunji Disu to Become New IGP as Egbetokun Quits

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tunji disu new IGP

By Adedapo Adesanya

Mr Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), has reportedly replaced Mr Kayode Egbetokun as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Mr Egbetokun resigned from the position on Tuesday after he was said to have held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Monday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Tinubu appointed Mr Egebtokun as the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, with his appointment confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.

Appointed as IGP at the age of 58, Mr Egbetokun was due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory age of 60, but his tenure was extended by the President, creating controversies, which trailed him until his exit from the force today.

Although the police authorities are yet to comment on the matter or issue an official statement about his resignation, the move came amid reports suggesting that Mr Egbetokun has left the position.

Mr Egbetokun’s tenure was marred by a series of controversies; he recently initiated multiple charges against activist Mr Omoyele Sowore and his publication, SaharaReporters, after Mr Sowore publicly described him as an “illegal IGP.”

The dispute escalated into protracted legal battles, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications relating to the former police chief and members of his family. Critics interpreted these court actions as attempts to stifle dissent and weaken press freedom.

His replacement, Mr Disu, was posted to oversee the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, some days ago.

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NIMASA Gets New Maritime Guard Commander

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Maritime Guard Commander

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A new Commander of the Maritime Guard Command has been appointed for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and he is Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki.

His appointment was approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, a statement from NIMASA confirmed.

He was chosen to replace Commodore H.C Oriekeze, who has been redeployed by naval authorities.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specialising in communication and intelligence, brings 25 years of experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada. It was under his command that NNS Kada undertook her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics. He has since earned a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an MSc in Terrorism, Security and Policing atthe  University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a PhD in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA). He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the agency, the Director General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Mr Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA in strengthening operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Japaul Picks Henry Alakhume as Acting GMD

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Japaul

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Mr Henry Alakhume has been appointed as the group managing director of Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc, a statement issued on Thursday disclosed.

In the notice signed by the company secretary, Chidimma Okolo, it was stated that the appointment of Mr Alakhume is effective today, February 12, 2026.

He is to fill the vacant position left by Mr Akinloye Daniel Oladapo, who resigned with effect from October 13, 2025, with no reason given for his decision to exit the post.

In the disclosure, it was said that Mr Alakhume would remain in office until a substantive GMD is announced by the organisation.

However, the board expressed confidence in the ability of the acting GMD to steer the ship of the company “during this transition period.”

He was described as an experienced executive director of the firm, who will “ensure continuity in leadership and support the company’s strategic objectives.”

“The board of Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc wishes to inform the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, its esteemed shareholders, and the general public of the appointment of Mr Henry Alakhume as the acting group managing director of the company.

“Mr Alakhume’s appointment takes effect from February 12, 2026, and he will serve in this capacity pending the appointment of a substantive group managing director.

“Mr Alakhume is an experienced executive of the company and has demonstrated strong leadership and operational expertise in his role as Chief Operating Officer.

“The board is confident that his appointment will ensure continuity in leadership and support the company’s strategic objectives during this transition period,” the statement said.

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