Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry has announced that it will continue to engage major stakeholders to ensure that the country’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala clinches the top job at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) after it emerged that she was the preferred candidate, opposed only by the United States of America.
Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement on Thursday, said Nigeria will continue to consult with stakeholders ahead of the WTO’s November 9 general council meeting.
Part of the statement read: “The ministry of foreign affairs wishes to inform that the third and final round of the selection process of thc director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was concluded On Tuesday, 27th October, 2020 and the result was formally announced on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020,” the statement read.
“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured the support of majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner.
“This is because apart from winning the election, all 164 member states of WIO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus; in accordance with the rule of procedure ofthe WTO.
“It is important to highlight that Dr Okonjo-lweala has secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus.
“Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation is realised.”
Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria’s finance minister between 2003 and 2006. She returned to the job again 2011 and served until 2015.
She has remained active in global economic circles, providing support for immunization and other worldwide initiative to improve the lots of the vulnerable population.
