By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday extended his congratulations to a two-time Nigerian Finance Minister, a former managing director of the World Bank and a prominent figure in the global financial system, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, after her reappointment as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation(WTO).
Tinubu said the unanimous re-election of Okonjo-Iweala is a testament to her influential role in global trade and economics.
Earlier on Friday, the WTO made another decision to allow Okonjo-Iweala to continue as the Director General of the organisation following her impressive tenure.
It would be recalled that the former Nigerian minister made history by becoming the first woman and, indeed, the first African to head the WTO in 2021.
In his reaction, Tinubu, in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the unanimous development is a powerful testament to the immense trust and confidence that the international community has in Okonjo-Iweala’s exceptional leadership.
The President assured the Director-General of the WTO of his administration’s continued support.
The statement reads in part: “President Tinubu is confident that her continued leadership will strengthen the international economic organisation’s role as a critical pillar of inclusive global economic growth and good governance in the next four years.
“As a committed member of the WTO, ECOWAS, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria will continue to support the WTO’s mission to foster a fair, inclusive, and equitable multilateral trading system.
“President Tinubu assures Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s steadfast support as she consolidates her bold reforms, dedication to equitable global trade practices, and tireless efforts to promote international cooperation.”
