By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Prominent Nigerians and institutions took to the social media, Twitter in particular, on Monday to felicitate with Nigeria’s former Finance Minister and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her confirmation as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
In a series of tweets on Monday through his media aide, Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari said with her elevation, the new WTO DG has brought joy and honour to Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President @MBuhari warmly felicitates with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr @NOIweala on her election as Director General of the World Trade Organisation @wto, bringing joy and more honour to the country,” Shehu tweeted.
“As the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity, the President believes her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind.
“President Buhari affirms that Dr Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance … and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, will excel in her new position and validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.
“The President joins family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour.”
In the same vein, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, who, as Minister of Agriculture in the President Goodluck Jonathan cabinet, was Okonjo-Iweala’s colleague tweeted, “Congratulations to my dear big sister @NOIweala on becoming today the first woman and first African to be elected as Director General of @wto. Congratulations!”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not left out.
“The @OfficialPDPNig is gladdened by the confirmation of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). @wto,” Nigeria’s main opposition party tweeted.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also congratulated the former Minister of Finance.
Abubakar in a statement he signed, said Okonjo-Iweala was well known to him and “not hyperbole” when he said that no one could be more qualified for the job of D-G of WTO than her.
He described her as an apostle of free trade and astute manager of people and resources, adding that the world would be much more prosperous with her recent elevation.
“As the world prepares to emerge from the global pandemic of COVID19, the planet needs a steady hand at the wheel, to drive global trade, and rebuild from the devastation wrought by the virus.
“We would not need someone who thinks they can pull this off. We would need someone who has actually and serially pulled it off before. And that person has emerged,” he said.
Abubakar said that Africa and Nigeria were proud of Okonjo-Iweala.
He said his family was full of joy at her victory, saying “go to Geneva and make us proud, as we know you will.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has also joined his voice.
The Speaker said the unanimous confirmation by the WTO General Council was a testament to her years of experience in the financial sector both at home and abroad.
He said the two-time Finance Minister was coming into office with a wealth of experience that spans several decades, saying her track record speaks volumes.
He added with her pedigree, she would take the World Trade Organisation to enviable heights during her term as the DG.
Gbajabiamila, who said he was elated by the news of Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence, said her confirmation has once again proved that Nigeria has experts that can compete favourably at home and abroad.
He said as the first female and first African to head the WTO, the former Finance Minister and an ex-World Bank Director was coming to the office at the right time and called on the new WTO DG to make Nigeria and Africa proud.
