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Tag: Okonjo Iweala

  • WTO: Dangote declares support for Okonjo-Iweala

    WTO: Dangote declares support for Okonjo-Iweala

    Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has declared support for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ahead of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) election.

    The third phase of the selection process for the next Director-General will begin September 7.

    With less than a week to commencement, the Dangote Group Chairman canvassed votes for Nigeria’s former Finance Minister.

    The business mogul declared his position via Twitter on Tuesday.

    “In these challenging times @WTO needs the renowned skills and tested experience of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala @NOIweala to lead the organisation through identified obstacles and strengthen its position as the prime facilitator of international trade.

    “A vote for her by all is a step in the right direction. I fully endorse the candidature of @NOIweala to lead @WTO”, he tweeted.

    Also from Africa are Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh (Egypt) and Amina Mohamed (Kenya).

    Other candidates are Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri (Saudi Arabia), Liam Fox (United Kingdom), Jesús Seade Kuri (Mexico), Tudor Ulianovschi (Moldova) and Yoo Myung-hee (Republic of Korea).

  • OPSN endorses Okonjo-Iweala for post of DG, WTO

    OPSN endorses Okonjo-Iweala for post of DG, WTO

    The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) says it has endorsed and encouraged worldwide support for the election of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    The endorsement is contained in a statement signed by Amb. Ayoola Olukanni, the Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), on Friday in Lagos for members of the OPSN.
    Olukanni stated that the former Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala, a world acclaimed economist, had distinguished herself at both national and international levels as a trade and development expert.
    He added that in the search for a new Head of WTO, she was very qualified and suitable especially during the current global economic and trade challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    He furthered that her knowledge of world trade and financial systems had endowed her as consultant to several governments across the world.
    “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a world acclaimed economist, adept in the workings of international financial and development systems as an Innovative Manager with a good grasp of the world economy and most importantly, trade, as a tool of development.
    “Her knowledge of world trade and financial systems has endowed her as consultant to several governments across the world.
    “In the search for a new Head of WTO, Dr Okonjo-Iweala is very qualified and suitable especially during the current global economic and trade challenges, occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    “Dr Okonjo-Iweala sits on the Boards of many International Organisations.
    “Her performance on the Boards of these organisations show her as being effective and forthright with the required diplomatic skills and a mastery of the intricacies and politics of international trade.
    “At this period when the international community is pondering which direction to go, on international trade, the WTO needs an internationalist, a world class diplomat with an understanding of the world trade system.
    “Okonjo-Iweala would help steer the WTO in a new direction for the benefit of the global community and the recovery by nations, from negative economic impact post-Covid-19.
    Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will bring to the WTO her knowledge as well as her experience and negotiating skills gathered from years of service.
    “She served as a former Finance Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Managing-Director Operations of the World Bank, Special Envoy of the African Union for international financial support for Africa, WHO Special Envoy for access to COVID-19 support and Board membership.
    “We commend and recommend Dr Okonjo-Iweala to all members of the World Trade Organisation for endorsement and support as the new WTO Director-General.
    “We vouch for her preparedness to take up the challenges of a balanced, inclusive and effective WTO, good for the developed and developing world,” he said. (NAN)

  • WTO: Okonjo Iweala Appreciates Buhari, NASS, ECOWAS for support

    WTO: Okonjo Iweala Appreciates Buhari, NASS, ECOWAS for support

    Dr Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for nominating and supporting her candidacy for Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) position.

    “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, “ she said.

    Iweala who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Geneva, also thanked ECOWAS for endorsing her candidacy as the race for the WTO Director General position enters the selection phase.

    She is vying for the top job alongside candidates from Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UK, Moldova, Mexico and the Republic of Korea.

    Yesterday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo inaugurated a Campaign Strategy team for her in a bid to win the WTO top job.

    Adebayo while inaugurating the team in Abuja said the setting up of a Campaign Strategy team was key to ensuring that she got the top job.

    According to the minister, the decision of President Buhari to nominate her as Nigeria’s candidate for the position was taken in good faith, given the overriding consideration of the need to use Africa’s chance for the promotion of gender mainstreaming at the world’s top trade post

    All the candidates are in Geneva to make presentations to the WTO General Council and addressed the press from July 15th – 17th.