Reps, PDP, Atiku felicitate new WTO chief, Okonjo-Iweala

EMINENT Nigerians have continued to send congratulatory messages to Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as she emerged as the Director-General of World Trade Organisation.

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Your emergence victory for competence –PDP

THE  People’s Democratic Party, PDP,  describes Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence at WTO chief as victory for competence, global due process and consensus needed to pilot the activities of the world trade body, especially at this critical period in the history of the world’s economy.

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, noted that the development has again brought honour to our nation adding that it is proud of Okonjo-Iweala as a product of the PDP administration, whose excellence as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, under whom Nigeria achieved our debt relief and revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

The party also recalled Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s success as the Managing Director of the World Bank, where she also displayed her capacity to effectively handle global economy’s issues.

The PDP commended international stakeholders, including President Joe Biden-led United States Government for the strong support given to Okonjo-Iweala, which points to the commitment of all stakeholders towards global consensus and economic recovery.

The PDP restates its charge to the new WTO Director General to “redouble her effort in bringing to bear her wealth of experience and competence to the world body.”

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Your track record speaks volumes — Reps

THE  Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the minority caucus in the House of Representatives, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous confirmation by the General Council of the WTO to head the body is a testament to her years of experience in the financial sector both at home and abroad.

The Speaker, in the statement titled, ‘Gbajabiamila congratulates Okonjo-Iweala on emergence as WTO DG,’ noted that the former two-time Minister of Finance in Nigeria comes to the office with a wealth of experience that spans several decades, stressing that her track record speaks volumes.

Gbajabiamila said with Okonjo-Iweala’s pedigree, he believes that she would take the WTO to enviable heights during her term as the DG. He stated that her confirmation had once again proved that Nigeria has experts that can compete favourably both at home and abroad.

The Speaker said as the first female and first African to head the WTO, the ex-minister and former Managing Director of the World Bank comes to the office at the right time.

The Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, in a separate statement titled, ‘Reps Minority Caucus Hails Okonjo-Iweala on Emergence as WTO DG,’ said her emergence as DG of the WTO “has reinforced global confidence in international consensus and recognition of competence and proficiency over provincial considerations.”

The statement read in part, “Indeed, the election of Dr Okonjo-Iweala to head the WTO is well-deserving, given her wealth of experience, competence, commitment and track record of performance in global finance and economy as evinced in her successes as 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 Dr Okonjo Iweala and particularly, the United States President, His Excellency Joe Biden, for the unwavering support given to her by his administration, which is clearly in recognition of Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s competence.

“In the same vein our caucus commends the understanding and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee in withdrawing from the race; another loud testament to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s suitability for the task ahead.”

The lawmakers charged Okonjo Iweala to, with hitting the ground running and bringing to bear, her skills, connections and wealth of experience “at this trying period in the history of global economy.”

The caucus, however, urged the new WTO DG to have a special focus on Africa and the developing world, “particularly at this time of economic recession, which has been worsened by the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Nobody is more qualified for the job than you – Atiku

VICE- PRESIDENT, Atiku Abubakar, in a statement he signed personally, 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.”