By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
As the import of the news of the official confirmation of Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), continues to sink in, Nigerians are jubilating.
On Monday, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus joined other Nigerians in hailing the appointment and congratulating Okonjo-Iweala.
The WTO revealed the appointment via its official tweeter handle @WTO.org on Monday.
According to the tweet, “Members made history today (15 February) when the General Council agreed by consensus to select Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the organization’s seventh Director-General.”
Upon resumption on March 1, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General. Her term, renewable, will expire on August 31, 2025.
“This is a very significant moment for the WTO. On behalf of the General Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the WTO’s next Director-General and formally welcome her to this General Council meeting,” said General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand who, together with co-facilitators Amb. Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Amb. Harald Aspelund (Iceland) led the nine-month DG selection process.
“Dr Ngozi, on behalf of all members I wish to sincerely thank you for your graciousness in these exceptional months, and for your patience. We look forward to collaborating closely with you, Dr Ngozi, and I am certain that all members will work with you constructively during your tenure as Director-General to shape the future of this organization,” he added.
An elated Okonjo-Iweala said her key priority would be to work with members to quickly address the economic and health consequences brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO Director-General,” said Dr Okonjo-Iweala.
“A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again. Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”
Senate President congratulates Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as WTO DG
In his congratulatory message, Lawan not only hailed Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as the first African and first female WTO DG but also congratulated Nigeria on “the latest feat of its great daughter on the international stage.”
He applauded the quiet but dogged diplomacy of Nigeria and the unwavering commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari which he said contributed to the acknowledgement of her sterling credentials and ultimate triumph.
“I heartily rejoice with Dr. Okonjo-Iweala on this well-deserved victory. With her latest feat, the former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Managing Director of the World Bank has again brought honour to Nigeria, Africa and women everywhere,” Lawan says.
The Senate President urged her to deploy her famed intellect, experience, energy and integrity in leading the WTO to promote global prosperity through fair trade.
Obaseki congratulates Okonjo-Iweala on emergence as first female, African DG of WTO
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said Okonjo-Iweala’s possesses the bundle of skills and experience required for the elevated position on the world stage.
“I felicitate with Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, former Minister of Finance, on her emergence as the first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in its 25-year history,” Obaseki said.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a fine economist and international development expert has in time past spearheaded several World Bank initiatives as a former Managing Director (Operations) and possesses a bundle of skills and experience required for this elevated role.
“As a two-time finance minister in Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala left indelible marks as an astute manager of the nation’s economy and resources.”
He added that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will bring her wealth of experience in building stronger alliances to promote multilateral trade, instill the needed discipline to advance the development of world economies and bridge trade gaps between developed and developing economies across the globe.
“I am confident that she will exceed expectations in this new assignment,” Obaseki added.
WTO: Okonjo-Iweala’s victory, most suiting news for a troubled Nation- Secondus
The National Chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, also welcomed her historic emergence, which he said is a suiting news for a trouble nation in search of its soul due to poor leadership.
Prince Secondus in a congratulatory message from his media office in Abuja said the victory of Okonjo-Iweala in the highly contested global position mirrors the greatness of tomorrow’s Nigeria notwithstanding the failure of today’s political leaders
He said Okonjo-Iweala’s victory is a reward for hard work and commitment to excellence as she demonstrated in all positions she held nationally and internationally.
“This savouring news coming at this time that the nation is witnessing her worse due to leadership failure is relieving and hope raising that a greater tomorrow awaits this land.”
Prince Secondus noted that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s victory coming shortly after the re- election of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), gladdens particularly the PDP that brought Nigeria’s best heads into government.
The PDP boss however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for putting aside political sentiment in backing both Adesina and Okonjo-Iweala for the exalted international jobs.
Prince Secondus also commended the international community particularly the ECOWAS and the African Union, AU, for showing brotherhood when it was highly needed.