Just In: Okonjo Iweala Clinches WTO Top Job, Becomes First Female Director General
AREWA AGENDA – A former Nigerian minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has emerged the first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed DG of the trade body in a statement by the WTO on Monday.
The United States government had last week announced its endorsement of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala for the top job.
It became clear earlier on Friday that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, a former World Bank executive, would likely clinch the coveted post after her final challenger to the position, South Korean Trade Minister and candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, announced her withdrawal.
Ms Yoo made the decision after discussions with the U.S. and other major nations, a statement from Korea’s trade ministry said on Friday.
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She also took various issues into account “comprehensively” including the need to revitalise the multilateral organization, reports said Friday.
Last October, the World Trade Organisation selected Mrs Okonjo-Iweala and Ms Yoo to advance to the final round in the race to lead the Geneva-based trade body.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala is, however, largely considered the shoo-in among experts and influential figures within the WTO.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was Nigeria’s finance minister during the tenures of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. She has experience working at international governance bodies as a former managing director of the World Bank and as a chairman at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.
With Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence, the WTO now has its first female director-general in its 25-year history.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young writers/journalist from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives
