WTO: Buhari says Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment brought honour to the country
Congratulatory messages have continued to pour in for the newly elected Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as president Muhammadu Buhari commended her for bringing joy and more honour to the country.
The president who issued a statement through the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu said “On behalf of the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her election as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, bringing joy and more honour to the country.
“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. The statement read.
Also, felicitating with Okonjo-Iweala, Senate president, Ahmad Lawan enjoined the new Director-General to deploy her famed intellect, experience, energy, and integrity in leading the WTO to promote global prosperity through fair trade.
Senator Lawan hailed the quiet but dogged diplomacy of Nigeria and the unwavering commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari which, no doubt, contributed to the acknowledgment of the sterling credentials of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and her ultimate triumph in the prolonged contest for the very important position.
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“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 have again brought honour to Nigeria, Africa and women everywhere,” Lawan added.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) also released a statement through the Secretary, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe. The statement reads; “On behalf of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), H.E. Mai Mala Buni, and teeming members of our great party, we congratulate Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her confirmation as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body.”
“We are proud to note that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mandate to head the WTO followed broad support from members of the global trade body. The APC is confident that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned economist and Nigeria’s former finance minister, will successfully lead the needed reforms to reposition the WTO to effectively deliver on its mandate to promote open and fair trade for the benefit of all.”
“The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought its challenges on member-nation’s economies. It is heartwarming that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has chosen to prioritise the ramping up of health and economic global efforts to combat COVID-19.”
“For marginalised groups, particularly women, the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a pointer that the world is fast changing and anybody can achieve any positive feat with hardwork, diligence and pursuit of excellence. We hope this serves as an inspiration to all”, the statement added.
In the same vein, opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan also issued a statement praising the new WTO, DG for her achievement.
“The party describes her emergence as victory for competence, global due process and consensus needed to pilot the activities of the world trade body, especially at this critical period in the history of the world’s economy.
“The PDP notes that the development has again brought honour to our nation adding that it is proud of Okonjo-Iweala as a product of the PDP administration, whose excellence as Nigeria’s minister of finance, under whom Nigeria achieved our debt relief and revamped to become one of the fastest-growing economies of the world.
“The party also recalled Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s success as the Managing Director of the World Bank, where she also displayed her capacity to effectively handle global economy’s issues.
“The PDP commends international stakeholders, including President Joe Biden-led United States Government for the strong support given to Okonjo-Iweala, which points to the commitment of all stakeholders towards global consensus and economic recovery.” It stated.
