Okonjo-Iweala accepts apology from Swiss newspaper over 'grandmother' remarks

Okonjo-Iweala accepts apology from Swiss newspaper over 'grandmother' remarks

- A Swiss newspaper has apologised to WTO's DG, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over its 'grandmother' remark

- The newspaper was called out by some top members of the UN for the offensive comment

- Iweala on her Twitter page said the apology was necessary

PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

The director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has reacted to an apology tendered by a Swiss newspaper that described her as a grandmother.

In her tweet on Sunday, February 28, the former Nigerian finance minister said that the newspaper's new position was timely and vital.

The apology came after women leaders in the United Nations (UN) called out the media house for its rather racist and sexist comments.

Grandmother: Okonjo-Iweala accepts apology from Swiss newspaper over offensive remarks
Okonjo-Iweala has accepted the apology from the Swiss newspaper company. (Photo: @wto)
Source: Twitter

Iweala stated:

"I'm thankful to all my sisters, UN women leaders, and the 124 Ambassadors in Geneva who signed the petition on calling out the racist & sexist remarks in this newspaper. It is important & timely that they’ve apologized.

Read also

Thanks for encouraging me - WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala appreciates Nigerians for support

"We need to call out this behavior when it happens. This is precisely what my book Women & Leadership coauthored with @JuliaGillard talks about - the stereotypes women face when they take on leadership positions."

Meanwhile, Iweala had acknowledged a four-year-old kid and other children who modelled her look.

In response to a collage of a kid with one of her photos, the WTO chief said all the children would become great in life as she called the model beautiful.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

Okonjo also appreciated all those who have shown her huge support since her emergence. It should be noted that the kid's photo was first posted by her dad, Sage Ugo, on his Instagram page.

In the post made on Tuesday, February 16, he said:

"Don't they look alike? Abeg, someone should tell Madam Ngozi to come and carry her granddaughter o!"

Read also

Real Warri Pikin shares amazing photos of mum, daughter and her to mark Mother's Day

Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics.

Source: Legit.ng

Online view pixel