- Says Race Still On, Calls For Prayers
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics & General Desk)
Nigeria’s former minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has responded to reports that she has been appointed the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Recall that The New Diplomat had earlier reported that Okonjo-Iweala, a former World Bank Chief is on the cusp history after she emerged as the first African woman to stand for election and reach the final stage of selection for the WTO DG.
Following the official announcement by the Geneva-based organization, the world is set to choose between two women: Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee as the first female leader of the WTO in about 25 years of its creation.
Some online publications obviously elated at the feat she achieved, getting to the top two, hurriedly went to the press to declare her as the winner.
But Okonjo-Iweala via her media adviser, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu clarified that the former World Bank chief has not yet been declared as the WTO DG.
The statement reads: “The race for the WTO director-general is still very much on.
“Contrary to inaccurate information released online by an unidentified source, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has not yet been declared winner.
“As announced by WTO, the former managing director of the World Bank and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee are the final two contestants left in the race.
“The winner should be announced in two to three weeks. That remains the correct position. Dr Okonjo-Iweala is appreciative and energised by the enthusiastic support of Nigerians.
“And she is urging all to keep praying until the final whistle.”
Meanwhile, The New Diplomat reported that the African Union (AU) has activated its high-level diplomatic channel to rally global support for Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala after making it to the final round of selection for the Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO).
Chairperson of AU, and South African President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement on the outcome of the second round of consultations for the position by the global trade body stated that AU will leave no stone unturned to ensure Okonjo-Iweala emerge as the substantial DG on November 7.
