Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, KSJI, has congratulated former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her emergence as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Okonjo-Iweala was a two-time Minister of Finance who led Nigeria’s economy to exit the Paris Club debt obligations during her first term as Minister in the Administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a statement issued on Monday, Owie said that he was elated to hear of the successful emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as WTO boss after a very highly competitive and protracted process.
He described Okonjo-Iweala as a brilliant, competent, world-class economist and international development expert whose works over the years have distinguished her on the global stage.
The ex Senate Whip stated that the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala has broken the 26year-old jinx of a female becoming head of the WTO, adding that she is the first African to lead the global trade body in its 26-year history.
“I am excited to hear of the emergence of an illustrious daughter of the Mid-West, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Your appointment indeed bears eloquent testimony to your competence and experience as a renowned economist and international development expert.
“You went through a very rigorous and exceedingly competitive process to emerge as the new head at the WTO.
“On behalf of my family, I congratulate a worthy ambassador of the Mid-West and an eminent Nigerian, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on this epochal recognition and appointment.
“As you commence another phased of an accomplished and blemish-free career, I pray and urge you to re-enact that which you have always done – providing exemplary Values-Based Leadership in times of extreme global crisis.”
It is without doubt that your pedigree and impeccable footprints in monetary and fiscal administration in Nigeria and at the World Bank stood you out for this global assignment.
“As you continue in this remarkable trajectory, I wish you success as you commence your new tour of duty,” Senator Owie stated.
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