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.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Fabian Ajogwu, has been appointed as the chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc, replacing Ms Omobola Johnson, who retires from the position on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

The legal practitioner, an independent non-executive director of the brewer, is expected to bring a wealth of experience in board governance, business & entrepreneurship, business executive education and strategic leadership.

He has served assiduously as a member and more recently as chair of the nominations, governance and remuneration committee and as a member of the board finance audit and risk committee ensuring strong governance and contributing to key decisions which have fortified the company even in tough times.

Ms Johnson is leaving the seat following the completion of her tenure as a director, as she has served on the board for nine years and as chairman since July 1, 2021.

Under her leadership, Guinness Nigeria has achieved significant milestones and taken major strides in recording year-on-year revenue growth.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and fostering a culture of excellence and has been an invaluable asset to the board of Guinness Nigeria, providing exemplary leadership and strategic guidance during her tenure.

In a statement to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the board of the beer maker, the management and the entire workforce expressed immense gratitude for her leadership, dedication, vision, and stellar contributions to the organization’s success and wish her all the very best in retirement.

Also leaving with her is Ms Ngozi Edozien, who retired as an independent non-executive director on November 27, 2024, following the completion of her tenure as a director.

Business Post reports that the duo of Mrs Olusola Oworu and Mrs Bola Adesola are joining the board as independent non-executive directors from February 1, 2025, subject to shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting of the firm.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has appointed core loyalists and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to head some government agencies and organisations.

According to a statement on Friday, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, the Chairman of the ruling party, was appointed as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

Also appointed was the APC National Secretary, Mr Bashiru Ajibola, as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuha, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.”

“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”

He said President Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Mr Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company.

Other allies appointed included the former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Mr Magnus Abe, who will take over as Chairman of the National Agency For Great Green Wall.

According to the presidential spokesman, Mr Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”

The list of the appointees are:

NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE

– Mr Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)

– Mr Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

– Mr Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

– Mr Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

– Mr Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

– Mr Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX

– Mr Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA

– Mr Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION

– Mr Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE

– Mr D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY

– Mr Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL

– Mr Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

–Mr Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

– Mr Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Mr Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

– Mrs Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

– Mr Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI

– Mr Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA

– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA

– Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA

– Mr Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI

– Mr Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD

– Mr Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA

– Mr Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA

– Mr Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

– Mr Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE

– Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY (NOSDRA)

– Mr Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)

– Mr Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE

– Mr Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

– Mr Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA

– Dr Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)

– Mr Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU

– Mr Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman, Zamfara

NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Mr Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

– Mr Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL

– Mr Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

– Mr Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND

– Mr Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)