Buhari congratulates Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on election as DG of WTO
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday felicitated with the former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her election as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the president said the emergence of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation has brought joy and more honour to the country.
The statement reads: “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.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
“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.”
Upon resumption on 1 March, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General.
“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.
The elated Okonjo-Iweala said a key priority for her 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.”
