Friday, 17 July 2020

Okonjo-Iweala thanks Buhari, NASS, ECOWAS for WTO job support

Okonjo-Iweala thanks Buhari, NASS, ECOWAS for support

In the spirit of gratitude, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of the National Assembly (NASS) for their support towards her World Trade Organisation (WTO) dream. 

Speaking with NAN, the 66-year-old Nigerian-born economist and international development expert also thanked prominent people in Buhari cabinet for their support and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

Okonjo-Iweala has been vying for the seat of the director-general of the WTO alongside top candidates from Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UK, Moldova, Mexico and others. 

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, NASS and others. 

Source: Depositphotos The renowned economist has since enjoined the backing of the president with her nomination approved by Buhari on Thursday, June 4.

 “I want to also thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the Chief of Staff to the President Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and the Nigerian ambassadors to Switzerland, WTO as well as the Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva," Iweala said.

 Minister of industry, trade and investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, has inaugurated a campaign strategy team for Iweala in a bid to win the WTO top job. 

Meanwhile, eight candidates battling to become the next head of the WTO would make their pitches before the week runs out, with three days of auditions starting Wednesday, July 15. 

The contenders would make 15-minute presentations to the 164 member states’ representatives at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, before facing a 75-minute grilling over their plans for the global trade body. 

In a related news, Legit.ng reported that former president Goodluck Jonathan has sent a congratulatory message to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as a member of South Africa’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

 Okonjo-Iweala served as the coordinating minister for the economy/finance minister under Jonathan's administration. Jonathan, in a message on his official Facebook page, said he has no doubt in his mind that the former minister will excel in the new assignment. 

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