Nigeria's ex-finance minister Okonjo-Iweala finally appointed as WTO DG

Nigeria's ex-finance minister Okonjo-Iweala finally appointed as WTO DG

- It's jubilation time in Nigeria as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala finally emerges as the director-general of the WTO

- Okonjo-Iweala's appointment was confirmed at a special meeting of the General Council on Monday, February 15

- The former minister of finance is the first woman and the first African to head the international organisation

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former minister, has been finally appointed as the next director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to a brief statement released by the WTO via its verified Twitter page, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed following the decision taken at a special meeting of the General Council on Monday, February 15.

Legit.ng gathers that the decision follows a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala finally appointed as WTO DG
Nigeria's former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is the new DG of the World Trade Organization. Photo credit: @wto
Source: Twitter

Her term officially starts on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and the first African to head the international organisation.

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Nigerians react to Okonjo-Iweala's emergence as WTO DG

Brightalo Brightalo said on Facebook:

"Trump the messiah rejected her Biden the so called antichrist accepted her."

Theophilous James said:

"A fantastic job. Congratulations. Serve the world to be a better place."

Sadiq Abu said:

"Gratitude be to PMB who stood firmly and rally round supports at both national and internal community to ensure that Okonjo make the day.
"Congrats Nextlevel...."

Michael Wada said:

"Congratulation. May God give you the grace to lead effectively."

Ladyuche Nwodika said:

"Congratulations ma. You always made Nigeria proud"

Francis Nwobegu said:

"Well deserved appointment, congratulations madam."

Olukole Janet Olanike said:

"I don't know why people like you can't become the president of this country"

Abdulsalam Ado said:

"Congratulations please try and show them what blacks are capable of doing"

Top tasks ahead for Okonjo-Iweala

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Reuters listed top three key tasks ahead for Okonjo-Iweala as WTO's director-general.

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Among others, the former minister will have to:

1. Broker international trade talks in the face of persistent US-China conflict

2. Respond to pressure to reform trade rules

3. Counter protectionism heightened by the COVID-19

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Nurudeen Lawal is a Legit.ng journalist passionate about fact-checking/verification journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature-in-English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. As Politics Editor, Nurudeen mostly writes on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic developments. He has attended different workshops, conferences and training on fact-checking and digital reporting, among others. Learn more about him on Twitter, @Nurudeen Lawal_

Source: Legit.ng

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Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.