WTO: Buhari, Atiku, Gbajabiamila, Obaseki, others congratulate Okonjo-Iweala

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her election as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
By the victory, Buhari said Okonjo-Iweala has brought joy and more honour to the country.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, as the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity.
“Her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind,’’ the President said.
Buhari affirmed that Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance, and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, would excel in her new position.
He expressed the hope that the former Nigerian minister would validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.
The president joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour.
Okonjo-Iweala’s election follows months of deadlocked discussions among WTO members on who should be chosen as the next director-general.
The former WTO chief, Roberto Azevedo, stepped down in August, a year earlier than his second four-year term was set to end.
The delays in the appointment of WTO chief reportedly stemmed from the reluctance of former U.S. president, Donald Trump, to approve the Nigerian economist’s candidacy.
The Trump administration favoured South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee.
However, after Joe Biden assumed the presidency, the South Korean minister decided to quit the race, paving the way for Okonjo-Iweala’s selection.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also congratulated the former Minister of Finance for her emergence as the first female and African Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Abubakar in a statement signed by himself said Okonjo-Iweala was well known to him and “not hyperbole” when he said that no one could be more qualified for the job of D-G of WTO than her.
He described her as an apostle of free trade and astute manager of people and resources, adding that the world would be much more prosperous with her recent elevation.
“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.
Abubakar said that Africa and Nigeria were proud of Okonjo-Iweala.
He said his family was full of joy at her victory, saying “go to Geneva and make us proud, as we know you will.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also congratulated Okonjo-Iweala.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement by Lanre Lasisi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Monday in Abuja, said that Okonjo-Iweala’s track record speaks volumes.
Similarly, Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives through Ndudi Elumelu, the House Minority Leader,
congratulated the former Minister of Finance for her successful emergence as WTO director-general in spite of all hurdles.
Gbajabiamila said Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous confirmation by the General Council of the WTO to head the body was “a testament to her years of experience in the financial sector, both at home and abroad”.
The speaker said that the former two-time Finance Minister of Nigeria came to office with a wealth of experience that spans several decades, noting that her track records speak volumes.
He said with Okonjo-Iweala’s pedigree, she would take the World Trade Organisation to enviable heights during her term.
Gbajabiamila said her confirmation had once again proved that Nigeria has experts that could compete favourably, both at home and abroad.
He then called on the new WTO Director-General to make Nigeria and Africa proud, while wishing her a successful tenure in office.
In his remarks, Elumelu commended Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence as WTO chief officer, adding that her emergence had reinforced global confidence in international consensus.
He said it had also added to the recognition of competence and proficiency over provincial considerations.
“Indeed, the election of Okonjo-Iweala to head the WTO is well-deserving, given her wealth of experience, competence, commitment and track records of performance in global finance and economy,” Elumelu said.
This, according to him, was evidenced in her successes as the Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Managing Director of the World Bank and various other international development bodies.
“We commend the global community for having confidence in Okonjo-Iweala and particularly, the U.S President, His Excellency Joe Biden, for the unwavering support given to her by his administration,” he said.
The minority leader said that the election was clearly in recognition of Okonjo-Iweala’s competence.
Elumelu said that the caucus commended the understanding and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee, in withdrawing from the race.
He said it was another loud testament to Okonjo-Iweala’s suitability for the task ahead.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State also congratulated the former Minister of Finance.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by the governor on Monday and released to newsmen in Benin.
“I felicitate Dr Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, former Minister of Finance, on her emergence as the first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in its 25-year history.
“Dr Okonjo-Iweala, a fine Economist and International Development expert has in time past spearheaded several World Bank initiatives as a former Managing Director (Operations) and possesses a bundle of skills and experience required for this elevated role.
“As a two-time finance minister in Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala left indelible marks as an astute manager of the nation’s economy and resources,” said the statement.
He assured that the former Finance Minister would bring her wealth of experience in building stronger alliances to promote multilateral trade,  instill the needed discipline to advance the development of world economies.
According to him, she will bridge trade gaps between developed and developing economies across the globe.
“I am confident that she will exceed expectations in this new assignment, Obaseki  said.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Monday in Asaba, noted that Okonjo-Iweala, an illustrious daughter of Delta from Ogwashi-Uku, was a two-time Minister of Finance, who led Nigeria’s economy to exit foreign debt obligations during her first term under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Okowa said that he was elated to hear of the successful emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as WTO boss after a very highly competitive and protracted process.
He described Okonjo-Iweala as a brilliant, competent, world-class economist and international development expert whose works over the years had distinguished her globally.
The governor stated that the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala had broken the 24-year-old jinx of a female becoming head of the WTO, adding that she was the first African to lead the global trade body.
“I am excited to hear of the emergence of our illustrious daughter, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Your appointment is indeed, a testament to your competence and experience as a renowned economist and international development expert.
“You went through a very rigorous and competitive process to emerge as the new head at the WTO.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate a worthy ambassador of Delta and Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the recognition and appointment.
“As you take on this distinguishing assignment at the big global stage again, I pray and urge you to re-enact that which you have always done – bringing pride and honour to Delta and Nigeria.
“It is without doubt that your pedigree and impeccable footprints in monetary and economic administration in Nigeria and at the World Bank stood you out for this global assignment.
“As you continue in this remarkable trajectory, we wish you success as you mount this new saddle,” the governor said.