News
UK Appoints 32 Trade Envoys to Drive Economic Growth… Flo Eshalomi MP appointed UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria
UK Appoints 32 Trade Envoys to Drive Economic Growth… Flo Eshalomi MP appointed UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
A new ‘global growth team’ of UK Trade Envoys has been appointed by the Trade Secretary to drive UK exports and investment as the Government pulls every lever available to drive economic growth under its Plan for Change.
According to a statement on Wednesday, 32 parliamentarians, including Flo Eshalomi who was appointed Trade Envoy to Nigeria, were 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.
The statement said 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.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “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, 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”
Flo Eshalomi MP and the 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.
Flo Eshalomi is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019. She takes over from Helen Grant MP, who was Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.
The new appointments are:
Afzal Khan MP appointed to Türkiye
Alex Sobel MP appointed to Ukraine
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP appointed to Ghana
Ben Coleman MP appointed to Morocco & Francophone West Africa
Calvin Bailey MP appointed to Southern Africa
Carolyn Harris MP appointed to New Zealand
Dan Carden MP appointed to Mexico
David Pinto-Duschinsky MP appointed to Switzerland & Lichtenstein
Fabian Hamilton MP appointed to Southern Cone
Flo Eshalomi MP appointed to Nigeria
George Freeman MP appointed to Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore & Brunei
Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride appointed to Jordan, Kuwait & the Palestine Territories
Lord Ian Austin of Dudley appointed to Israel
Baroness Jane Ramsey of Wall Heath appointed to Ethiopia
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
Josh MacAlister MP appointed to Brazil
Kate Osamor MP appointed to East Africa
Matt Western MP appointed to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
Mohammad Yasin MP appointed to Pakistan
Naz Shah MP appointed to Indonesia & ASEAN
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
Sarah Olney MP appointed to North Africa
Sharon Hodgson MP appointed to Japan
Lord Tom Watson of Wyre Forest appointed to Republic of Korea
Yasmin Qureshi MP appointment to Egypt
News
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
News
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.
The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.
Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.
The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.
However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”
In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.
The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
News
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.
According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.
Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.
He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
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