President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her election as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying it has brought honour to Nigeria.
In a message on behalf of the Federal government and all Nigerians on Monday, the President Buhari said as the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity, her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind.
In the messaged signed by his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, President Buhari affirmed 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, would excel in her new position and validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.
He also joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour.
Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Monday as the first female and first African head of the WTO, at a special general meeting.
“WTO members have just agreed to appoint Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next director-general,” the global trade body said in a statement, adding that the former Nigerian finance minister and World Bank veteran will take up her post on March 1.
Twice Nigeria’s finance minister and its first woman foreign minister, she has been described as a trailblazer.
Aside from her time in public office, the development economist also spent a quarter-century at the World Bank — rising to be managing director and running for the top role in 2012.
“I think she has delivered, whether in Nigeria or in other countries where she worked,” Idayat Hassan of the Centre for Democracy and Development research and advocacy group told AFP.
Born in 1954 in Ogwashi Ukwu, Delta State, her father is a traditional ruler. She spent much of her life in the United States, graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, where she also sent her four children.
“She is not just liked in Nigeria, she is loved, because she is a symbol, and people are gunning for her because of what she represents for womanhood,” said Hassan.
In her own reaction after the WTO decision, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweal said: “I am honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO DG. 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 organisation 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.”