The ambition of the former Minister of Finance, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to become the 10th Director-General of the World Trade Centre received a further boost as the organised private sector has endorsed her candidature.
Captains and operators of industries, under the aegis of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), in release on Friday, expressed their pleasure to endorse and encourage worldwide support the election of Dr Okonjo-Iweala as the next DG of the WTO.
OPSN, with its secretariat at the NACCIMA Headquarters, Abuja, comprises of important bodies, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Others are the Nigeria Employers
Consultative Association (NECA); Nigerian Association of
Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Nigerian Association of
Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
OPSN, in the release by its Director-General, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, described Okonjo-Iweala as “a world acclaimed economist, who has distinguished herself at both national and international levels as a trade and development expert.
“[She is] adept in the workings of international financial and development systems as an innovative manager with a good grasp of the world economy and most importantly, trade as a tool of development.
“Her knowledge of world trade and financial systems has endowed her as consultant to several governments across the world.
“In the search for a new Head of
WTO, Dr (Mrs) Okonjo-Iweala is very qualified and suitable especially during the current global economic and trade challenges, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dr Okonjo-Iweala sits on the boards of many international organisations and her performance on the boards of
these organisations show her as been effective and forthright with the required diplomatic skills and a mastery of the intricacies and politics of international trade.
“At this period when the international community is pondering which direction to go, on international trade, the WTO needs an internationalist, a world class diplomat with an understanding of the world trade system, to help steer the WTO in a new direction for the benefit of the global community and the
recovery by nations, from negative economic impact post-COVID-19.
“Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will bring to the
WTO her knowledge, as well as her experience and negotiating skills gathered from years of service as a
former Finance Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Managing Director Operations of the World Bank, Special Envoy of the African Union for international financial support for Africa; WHO Special Envoy
for access to COVID-19 support and Board membership.
“We commend and recommend Dr. Iweala to all members of the World Trade Organisation for endorsement and support as the new WTO Director General.
“We vouch for her preparedness to take up the challenges of a balanced, inclusive and effective WTO, good for the developed and developing world.”
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