By Ovie Okpare
Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her appointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Okowa, who expressed delight in Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence as the head of WTO, said Deltans and Nigerians are proud of her excellence career which resulted in her new appointment.
The WTO on Monday confirmed her appointment as the next Director General of the world trade body. She will resume her new position March 1, 2021.
Okonjo-Iweala, who hails from Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, was a two-time Minister of Finance under the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
Under Obasanjo, the new WTO DG led Nigeria’s from the Paris Club debt; and she was the Coordinating Minister under Jonathan where she was adjudged as the minister.
Governor Okowa in a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, 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.
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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 in its 25-year history.
“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.
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“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,” he stated.
