Messages of congratulations have poured for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the newly appointed director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The President of the Senate,Ahmad Lawan applaud President Muhammadu Buhari whose unwavering commitment contributed to the acknowledgement of the sterling credentials of her and her ultimate triumph for the position.
” I heartily rejoice with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as the first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
” 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.
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” I pray for Almighty God to imbue her with good health and wisdom to succeed in the task just as I urge her to deploy her famed intellect, experience, energy and integrity in leading the WTO to promote global prosperity through fair trade.
Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar who congratulated Okonjo-Iweala said ” She is a woman I know very well, because we worked at close quarters between 2003 and 2007, when she served in our administration in various capacities, most notably as Finance Minister.
” It is not hyperbole when I say that no one could be more qualified for the job of Director General of the World Trade Organisation than her, and I congratulate her for her success at being the first female and African DG of the WTO.
” She is an apostle of free trade and an astute manager of people and resources, and the world will be a much more prosperous place by her elevation to this enviable height.
” 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.
Speaker of the house of representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila also saluted Okonjo-Iweala noting that her unanimous confirmation by the General Council of WTO is a testament to her years of experience in the financial sector both at home and abroad.
The Speaker noted that with her pedigree she would take the WTO to an enviable heights during her time as the DG.
Gbajabiamila who added that her confirmation has once again proved that Nigeria has experts that can compete favourably both at home and abroad.
