The United States has finally put its weight behind Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – backing her for the position of the director general of the World Trade Organisation.
This was made known in a statement released from the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Friday.
According to the statement,
The Biden-Harris Administration said it was pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the WTO, after noting Friday’s decision by the Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to withdraw her candidacy for the post.
It went on to say Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years with the World Bank and two terms as Nigerian Finance Minister, adding that she is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven experience managing a large international organization with a diverse membership.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is now set to become the first female and first African leader of the world trade organization.
Reacting to the news on, the former Nigerian Finance Minister took to Twitter to express gratitude at the expression of support from the United States, while also thanking Nigerians and President Buhari For their support.
She also congratulated Yoo Myung-Hee – her contender for the top job, for a hard fought campaign.
The US, under the administration of Donald Trump, had favoured South Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee for the job, leading to a stalling of the process – despite other countries backing Okonjo-Iweala.
Ms Myung-hee, earlier on Friday however, announced that she was abandoning her bid to lead the international trade body, paving way for Okonjo-Iweala.
0
0
