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Hope rises for Ngozi Okonjo Iweala’s WTO bid
By Theodore Tasie
The aspiration of Nigeria’s Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be elected as Director General at the World Trade Organisation, WTO is generating more hopeful feedback by the hour, The Difference can report.
Iweala who was drafted into the race at the last minute following Nigeria’s substitution of its earlier nominee, will, if elected become the first-ever woman director-general of the global trade regulator.
Incidentally, her closest rival and only challenger for the position now is equally a woman, South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee.
A member of the historic Economic Team in the Obasanjo presidency that had successfully negotiated a debt relief for Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala has had a quite chequered global work record that includes stints at the World Bank.
Other than the endorsement of her home country, one other very significant endorsement that should hopefully bring some further leverage her way is that of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
Responding to news of her being shortlisted in the final run of two aspirants left standing, Ramaphosa, who also doubles as Head of the Assembly of Heads of States at the 55-member African Union had tweeted:
‘AUChair2020
@AUChair2020
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His Excellency President Matamela
@CyrilRamaphosa
congratulates Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on her advancement to the third and final stage of the selection process for the position of the Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).’
The final choice of who between the two finalists ultimately becomes WTO D-G is expected to be concluded next month.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
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