WTO: APC Congratulates Okonjo-Iweala, As PDP Celebrates Her, Commends US, Others

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her confirmation as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The party said her appointment as the first woman and first African to lead a global trade body was a reward of dint hardwork, diligence and pursuit of excellence and inspiration that one can attain positive feat.

A statement by the Secretary of the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator James Akpanudoedehe on Monday night in Abuja, said the governing party was proud of the feat attained by the former Minister of Finance.

The statement reads: ‘On behalf of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), H.E. Mai Mala Buni, and teeming members of our great party, we congratulate Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her confirmation as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body.

“We are proud to note that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mandate to head the WTO followed broad support from members of the global trade body. The APC is confident that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned economist and Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, will successfully lead the needed reforms to reposition the WTO to effectively deliver on its mandate to promote open and fair trade for the benefit of all.

ALSO READ: Delta Guber 2023: Ijaw Group Kicks As Ibori, Manager, Edevbie Align

“The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought its challenges on member-nation’s economies. It is heartwarming that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has chosen to prioritise the ramping up of health and economic global efforts to combat COVID-19.

“For marginalised groups, particularly women, the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a pointer that the world is fast changing and anybody can achieve any positive feat with hardwork, diligence and pursuit of excellence. We hope this serves as an inspiration to all.”

Also, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the PDP is gladdened by the confirmation of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The party described her emergence as victory for competence, global due process and consensus needed to pilot the activities of the world trade body, especially at this critical period in the history of the world’s economy.

A statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, said “the PDP notes that the development has again brought honour to our nation,” adding that it is proud of Okonjo-Iweala as a product of the PDP administration, whose excellence as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, under whom Nigeria achieved our debt relief and revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

The party also recalled Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s success as the Managing Director of the World Bank, where she also displayed her capacity to effectively handle global economy’s issues.

The PDP commended international stakeholders, including President Joe Biden-led United States Government for the strong support given to Okonjo-Iweala, which points to the commitment of all stakeholders towards global consensus and economic recovery.

The party restated its charge to the new WTO Director General to redouble her effort in bringing to bear her wealth of experience and competence to the world body.