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Tag: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala under fire over Tinubu’s photo

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala under fire over Tinubu’s photo

    Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has come under fire over photographs she tweeted from the leadership summit in Paris, France.

    Okonjo-Iweala had posted a photograph where President Bola Tinubu was alleged to have been cropped out.

    Tinubu attended the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ convened by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

    The summit afforded Tinubu the opportunity of projecting, on a global stage, his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.

    However, the photograph posted by Okonjo-Iweala has generated controversy on social media.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adamu Garba, criticized Okonjo-Iweala for posting the photograph.

    Garba said the former Nigerian Minister of Finance can’t spite at Tinubu with such a photograph.

    Taking to their Twitter handles, some Nigerians wrote….

    Garba: “If she like, let her not acknowledge or recognize the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The same Nigeria that did everything for her to become who she is today, the leader of same party, APC, which gave her the wherewithal to get her current office as DG of WTO.

    “If doing so is to spite Tinubu as a person, she should know that Tinubu is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whoever spites at him has done so against the government and the people of Nigeria. And we noted that. Indeed, rebellion is the greatest of all sins.”

    @LydiaTeeanaJaja: “Wow so she literally cropped out the part President Tinubu was showing.

    “God cannot be mocked and that’s why Peter Obi can never be President of Nigeria. The Igbos will learn the hard way.”

    @jadesolar_01: “This is Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who became the DG of WTO with the support of the APC administration, today she went for a summit in France and intentionally cropped out President Tinubu from all her pictures, the south Easterners are the most dangerous people to share country with.

    “Iya agbaya like you, the hatred all of you have for south west will end up consuming you, whether you like it or not Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is your president for the next 8 years, and as far as Nigeria is concerned, no Igbo man will ever become the president of this great Nation.”

    Why my picture with Tinubu was posted late – Okonjo-Iweala

    Meanwhile, the World Trade Organisation DG has explained why she posted pictures of herself and President Bola Tinubu at the financial summit in Paris late.

    She noted that she posted photos in the order received by her accompanying staff or colleagues.

    The WTO boss had on Friday shared photos with some presidents she met with at the event on Twitter.

    After she posted, netizens criticised her for not posting a picture with Tinubu.

    She, however, shared pictures with Tinubu and other presidents on Saturday.

    Reacting to the criticism, she tweeted, “Nigerians please relax! Re: Paris, Interesting attacks from both sides sadly show the depth of polarisation in our society.

    “I post photos in the order received by accompanying staff or colleagues. Reading more into it is unwarranted. Let’s unite to build our country not attack!”

  • Buhari confers National Honours on 450 Nigerians, non-Nigerians

    Buhari confers National Honours on 450 Nigerians, non-Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred National Honours on 450 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, assuring that he will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.

    The president, who stated this while conferring the awards on the recipients in Abuja on Tuesday, said the affected citizens had distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity.

    According to him, citizens who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.

    Buhari reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    ”The National Honours are not merely decorative. They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens.

    ”We must always endeavour to do our best for our country. We will continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.

    ”As I stated earlier in my Independence address to the nation, I will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders.”

    On the National awards, the president commended the National Awards Committee headed by Justice Sidi Muhammad,  a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the Emir of Lafia.

    He lauded the committee for a great and patriotic duty in diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with these recommendations.

    The president noted that the screening and selection of nominees for this year’s award as always, followed established broad criteria, in accordance with the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    They include but not limited to: ‘‘consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity;

    ”Outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.’’

    Other criteria listed by the President for selecting the recipients are:

    ‘‘Distinct act of bravery in the protection and/or defence of national interest, public peace, safety of life and property.

    ‘‘Remarkable achievement in any field of expertise where the person’s activities in that field have made significant contributions to the attainment of national goals and objectives.

    ‘‘Immense contributions towards the uplift of community, state, nation and/or humanity through achievements by way of inventions and bringing outstanding honour and glory to the state through personal dedication and patriotic commitment.

    ”Service with integrity is also a basis for the selection process.’’

    While emphasising that nation building involves a lot of sacrifice by the citizenry, the president declared that citizens who contributed to national development deserved to be encouraged and appreciated.

    He, therefore, lauded the 2022 National Award recipients for distinguishing themselves in various ways ‘‘for the purpose of recreating a new Nigeria of our dreams through respect for the rule of law, image laundering, transparency and accountability in management of scarce resources.’’

    The president added that those in the private sector had also creditably discharged themselves in business, entertainment, hospitality, transportation and other forms of human endeavours to transform Nigeria.

    ‘‘We have amongst the recipients today, Amb. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who are doing our country proud on the international scene.

    ”Our dear sisters are a source of inspiration to our young women that through the dint of hard work and dedication, they can achieve greatness.

    ‘‘We also have on the list, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, a religious leader who hid over 262 Christians in his mosque from attacks in Yelwa Gindi Akwati village, in Plateau State.

    ”He is a good example of religious tolerance we preach amongst Nigerians. I am excited that he is being honoured today with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

    ‘‘Worthy of mention are our Artistes, particularly, our very own Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), who won the Grammy Awards in 2020.

    ”He along with other artistes have repositioned the Nigerian entertainment industry and placed it on the global map.

    ”At the just concluded Dubai Expo 2020, Nigeria’s pavilion was a beehive of activities as our musicians entertained guests from around the world.

    ‘‘Despite the present economic challenges, Nigeria still boasts of men and women of integrity.

    ” Ms. Josephine Agu, an airport cleaner returned $12,200 US dollars found in a toilet at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as well as Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, a bank security man who found and returned $10,000 dollars.

    ‘‘Today, we celebrate their dignity and strength of character by conferring National Honours on them.”

    According to the president, they are a shining example to the younger generation.

    ‘‘I congratulate all the recipients today who will be joining the league of Awardees.

    ‘‘I appreciate the non-Nigerian recipients and assure all of you that this administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to undertake your lawful businesses to allow you to sustain your efforts at contributing to the development of our nation, Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The president acknowledged that the list of awardees was justifiably long because the exercise had not been carried out since 2015.

    According to him, since the inception of this administration, there has not been such occasion like this where individuals and friends of Nigeria have been so singled out for investiture except for the Special Investiture Ceremony in honour of Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe and Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN.

    He noted that the Investiture Ceremony for Abiola and others was specially carried out to right the wrong done in the past, ”to assuage our feelings and to resolve to stand firm now and in the future for the sanctity of the electoral process and our democracy.”

    In like manner, he said, the country’s athletes were also honoured recently for their spectacular performances in several competitions.

    He appealed to other Nigerians who are yet to receive this recognition to be patient and understand that their efforts in nation building are appreciated and at the right time, would similarly be recognized.

    ‘‘This administration will continue to partner with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria with like minds in our efforts to build the Nigeria of our dreams where everybody will strive to excel in their chosen fields devoid of parochial sentiments,’’ he said.

    Buhari also reminded the recipients and other Nigerians that National Honours ”are not merely decorative.”

    ‘‘They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens. We must always endeavour to do our best for our country.’’

    The award, which is in 10 categories, was presented to Supreme Court Justices, judges, top lawyers, incumbent and former governors, Ministers, traditional rulers, creative artistes, politicians, businessmen, athletes, security officers who died in the line of duty, and other distinguished Nigerians.

    A total of six persons were conferred with GCON, 55 received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 65 got the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) while 77 were presented with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

    The president also conferred 110 citizens with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON); 74 were presented with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and 55 received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

    There were four recipients each for the Federal Republic Medal I (FRM I) and Federal Republic Medal II (FRM II) Second Class) respectively.

    The seven foreigners honoured received the OFR Award.

    Speaking on behalf of the Awardees, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, thanked the President for the honour, pledging that the award is an encouragement to more work and a call to duty to serve Nigeria with renewed strength, loyalty and honesty.

    Leading the 2022 National Honours Award recipients, in the category of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are Senate President, Lawan, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, immediate past CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

    Others are; the Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

  • Test Polls: Obi defeats Atiku, Tinubu, Kwankwaso in September

    Test Polls: Obi defeats Atiku, Tinubu, Kwankwaso in September

    A poll organized by World Bank Director, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and commissioned by the tedo N. A. Peterside Foundation In September shows that the Labour party candidate, Peter Obi is in clear lead.

    The poll shows that the three leading candidates, Bola Tinubu of All Progressive Congress, (APC )Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of Labour Party are still popular among the Nigerian electorates.

    However, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party  made an entrance to finish in fourth place.

    According to the polls conducted by ANAP foundation, he percentage of registered voters is as follows in each of the zones – 99% in the North East, 90% in the South South, the North Central and the North West respectively. The lowest registered voter percentages were in the South East with 88% and the South West with 85%.

    “The results showed a significant lead for Mr Peter Obi with 21% of voters proposing to vote for him if the presidential election were to be conducted today; and 13% each proposing to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who are both tied in second place. Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso was a distant fourth with 3% of voters proposing to vote for him,” a statement by ANAP foundation announcing the result of the poll shows.

    The statement added that Obi’s 8 percentage point lead at this early stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him  completely from a leading pack of candidates scoring 21%, 13% and 13%  respectively.

    It says that undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 32% and 15% respectively, adding that the gender split of undecided voters shows that 39% of women are undecided versus 27% of male voters.

     

    “When asked if respondents were aware of the various candidates vying for the Presidency, data gathered showed that 99% of the respondents were aware of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. 98% were aware of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. 95% were aware of  Mr. Peter Obi of LP  and 74% were aware of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP. All other candidates scored below 55% in terms of name recognition.

    “Furthermore, the data summarizes top five reasons why voters are more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections, these include: – The need to tackle insecurity (45%), the Economy (20%), Education (9%), Unemployment (7%) and Poverty alleviation (4%).

    “46% of the respondents would love to see their preferred Presidential candidates participate in a televised interview and/or debate, with the interview/debates spanning across topics like their party manifestos, issues of Security, Economy, Education, Job Creation, Healthcare and Agriculture amongst others.

    “It is worthy of note that 69% of those aged 18-25, 76% of those aged 26-35, 77% of those aged 36-45, 87% of those aged 46-60 and 89% of those aged 61+ responded saying that they would definitely vote in the coming elections. The age groups that expressed the greatest willingness to vote were those between 46-60 and 61+ years. On average, the Poll shows that almost 8 in 10 registered voters are absolutely certain that they would be voting in the next presidential election. If they stay committed then we could witness a huge turnout in the February 2023 elections. Furthermore, Mr. Peter Obi led the pack in virtually all the age categories i.e. his leadership was not confined to the youths only.

    “While these Poll results show some significant trends, it is key to note that the battle ahead lies in the hands of the undecided/swing voters, as it appears they would ultimately decide which candidate takes the lead to emerge as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential elections.

    In summary, our September 2022 Polls are inconclusive in terms of establishing a clear winner, as the undecided voters are large enough to turn the tables. However, ANAP Foundation has concluded that the trends are clear enough to establish the front runners and so our subsequent polls will concentrate on the 4 leading candidates only.”

    The forthcoming general elections in the country starts with the presidential election on the 28th of February 2023 while the Gubernatorial elections holds on March 11 across the country.

  • What FG can do to attract more investors to Nigeria – Okonjo-Iweala

    What FG can do to attract more investors to Nigeria – Okonjo-Iweala

    For Nigeria to attract more investors, it must cut down on trade and infrastructure costs, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advised.

    Okonjo-Iweala also suggested a reduction of linkage and regulatory costs as well as Customs duties to encourage investments.

    She argued that the costs of doing business in Nigeria were far higher than those of high-income countries.

    The WTO boss also urged an improvement of the security situation in the country to attract foreign and domestic investments.

    Okonjo-Iweala made the suggestions at the just concluded two-day Mid-term Ministerial Performance Review retreat in Abuja.

    According to her, Nigeria must also reduce all costs associated with moving goods from the factory to the final consumer to complement investment facilitation.

    She said Nigeria’s trade cost, which is about two percent higher than the rest of African countries, is equivalent to a 306% tariff, and about one and half times higher than the cost in high-income countries.

    Her words: “Improving security and lowering transaction cost for foreign investment, even for domestic investment, would be necessary. And Nigeria is part of a group of countries negotiating an agreement on investment facilitation at the WTO.

    ”Once this agreement is negotiated, ratified, and is being implemented, it could be instrumental in attracting additional trade-oriented investment.

    ”To complement investment facilitation, Nigeria has to cut down on trade cost, infrastructure cost, linkage cost, regulatory cost, customs cost, basically, all costs associated with moving goods from tie factory or farm gate to the final consumer.

    ”Nigeria’s trade costs are too high. According to the World Bank-ESCAP trade costs for 2019, trade costs for African countries are on the average equivalent of a 304% tariff and for Nigeria, it’s even slightly higher at 306%.

    ”These numbers are one and half times higher than trade cost in high-income countries. Such high costs are not conducive to forming a regional value chain.

    “Congestion, capacity constraints and high costs in our ports make life difficult for anyone seeking to build supply chain operations in Nigeria and hence, expand trade from there.”

  • WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala shuts down resignation, interest in 2023 presidential slot rumours

    WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala shuts down resignation, interest in 2023 presidential slot rumours

    The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has declared that she is not interested in vying for Nigeria’s presidency in 2023.

    Reacting to rumours about her purported intent to contest at the polls and resign her position with WTO barely seven months into her four and a half-year term, Okonjo-Iweala described the rumour as “utterly ridiculous and not true.”

    She said, “I just got here. I am enjoying what I’m doing. It is a very exciting job and I am trying to have some successes here.”

    But New York-based Bloomberg News, reported that despite beginning the the year with “a plan to score quick negotiating victories that she said would help reboot the dysfunctional Geneva-based trade body;” insiders revealed that the WTO chief is threatening to walk away from the job.

    Seven months into her 4 1/2-year term, Okonjo-Iweala has fully grasped the frustrating reality of the WTO’s historical inertia, even privately floating the idea of resigning if no headway can be found on critical issues, the medium stated, quoting five trade officials in Geneva who declined to be identified.

    This year, Okonjo-Iweala has reportedly told ambassadors and staff that she could easily walk away from the job, reminding them that she hasn’t bought any furniture for her temporary home in Geneva, the officials said.

    Okonjo-Iweala’s early departure would add yet another layer of chaos to an organization suffering from an existential crisis that may lead governments to conclude the WTO is not a credible forum for addressing their shared challenges, the medium stated.

    Deep divisions and a lack of trust are not new for the WTO, which requires consensus agreement among all 164 members to finalise multilateral accords.

    The organisation’s rigid negotiating structure and disparate interests of its diverse membership have precluded the organisation from delivering anything substantial for the better part of the past decade.

    Last year, Okonjo-Iweala’s predecessor — Roberto Azevedo — cited the lack of progress at the WTO as his primary reason for resigning from the organisation a year before his tenure was scheduled to end, according to Bloomberg News. `

    Some Geneva trade officials told the medium that they suspect Okonjo-Iweala wants to run in the 2023 presidential election in her native country of Nigeria.

    Okonjo-Iweala didn’t comment about her threats to resign but denied any interest in running for the Nigerian presidency, calling such speculation “utterly ridiculous and not true” in a statement to Bloomberg News.

    “I just got here. I am enjoying what I’m doing,” she told Bloomberg News in a television interview. “It is a very exciting job and I am trying to have some successes here.

    The true test of Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership will come in November, when she hosts the WTO’s 12th ministerial conference — a gathering of the organisation’s highest decision-making body, Bloomberg states; noting that, to date, WTO members have failed to make significant headway on the three priority areas Okonjo-Iweala identified for potential outcomes at the biennial meeting.

  • Delta State honours Unclesam, Okonjo-Iweala, Ovia, Elumelu, Clark, 76 others on 30th Anniversary

    Delta State honours Unclesam, Okonjo-Iweala, Ovia, Elumelu, Clark, 76 others on 30th Anniversary

    No fewer than 81 personalities of Delta origin, including the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, “Unclesam” Amuka, Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were honoured by the state government as it marked 30.
    The icons were honoured at a Gala and Award Night on Friday in Asaba to mark the grand finale of a week-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.

    The awardees included Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu; and eminent scholar, Prof. Obaro Ikime, for their contributions to the development of the state and country.

    Others were Prof. Joy Ogwu, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze, renowned architect, Chief Charles Majoroh, Chief E.K. Clark, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

    Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu; frontline comedian, Atunyota Akpobome (a.k.a Alibaba); Michael Ajereh (Don Jazzy); Ese Brume; and Timipamere Akiayefa were among.

    There were also three posthumous recipients – Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief James Otobo and Chief Dennis Osadebay, former Premier of defunct Midwest Region.

    Speaking at the event, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa said the state had in its three decades of existence been a centre of diversity and inclusion, trials and triumphs and growth and stability.

    He thanked the people for their support and cooperation in building a smart, strong and safe state.

    “After 30 years, I can boldly say that it has been three decades of diversity and inclusion, of trials and triumphs, and of growth and stability.

    “More significantly, the people of the state have come to live as one big, happy family and the state has continued to forge ahead in all indices of human, physical and economic development,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the civil servants – serving, retired or late – who made huge sacrifices to ensure the successful take-off of the State.

    Okowa said that his administration was breaking new grounds in job and wealth creation through entrepreneurship development while building roads and physical infrastructure of the most vital interest and impact.

    “A classic example is the 20.28km Obotobo I – Obotobo II – Sokebolou – Yokri Road, beside the Atlantic Ocean in Burutu Local Government Area.

    “Furthermore, the riverside communities of Burutu, Oporoza, Okerenkoko and Benekrukru, among others, have been given a facelift with well-paved roads, while most urban centres are being enhanced through growth and renewal.

    “As we reflecte on the last 30 years, it is clear to us that celebration of this milestone will not be complete without recognising Deltans who have made the state proud in their various fields of endeavour.

    “While the public/civil servants are holding the home front, many of our own are flying the flag of the state in the national arena.

    “Hence, we decided to recognise some of our distinguished sons and daughters, and to also use the opportunity to let the whole world know the invaluable contributions Deltans are making to project Nigeria,” he said.

    The governor, said the list of prominent sons and daughters was by no means exhaustive and there were many sons and daughters of Delta making waves in various aspects of life and across the nations of the world.

    “As a government, we thought this is a good starting point and we are deeply grateful that the awardees considered it worthwhile to be here today and we thank you for giving us that honour,” the governor stated.

    He solicited the continued support of all the people, including those in the Diaspora, to his administration in its determination to deliver a stronger Delta to them.

    Okowa assured that ongoing projects and programmes would be concluded while premium would continue to be attached to the well-being of citizens

  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warns against misuse of her name

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warns against misuse of her name

    Former Minister of Finance and now Director General (DG) of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned against the misuse of her name.

    This is contained in a statement released by Paul C Nwabuikwu, Media Adviser to the WTO DG.

    Recall that recently Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s name has been used to advertise some public events, which Nwabuikwu has said are without prior knowledge of the WTO DG.

    These have been part of a longstanding pattern of misusing Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s name in most times viral messages, which has increased in recent times.

    The messages, including comments on political and other issues falsely attributed to Okonjo-Iweala, are usually circulated via WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms.

    According to the statement, the WTO DG will not hesitate taking legal actions if the pattern of abuse of her name does not stop.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our attention that invented comments on political and other issues falsely attributed to the former Minister of Finance, now DG, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are being disseminated on online platforms as well as on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media.

    “These efforts are obviously directed at mischief making as the faceless people behind them are seeking to make Dr Okonjo-Iweala a tool of whatever agenda they are pursuing.

    “The fake comments are part of a longstanding pattern of misusing Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s which has increased in recent times.

    “For instance, her name has recently been used to advertise all kinds of public events without any prior discussion or permission.

    “These actions are clearly wrong and her office has had to respond to enquiries on issues and events that she knows nothing about.

    “We urge the persons or groups responsible to desist from their unethical and illegal activities as Dr Okonjo-Iweala may be forced to explore legal options to stop the misuse of her name”.

  • Another history made as WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala appoints two women to deputy leadership positions

    Another history made as WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala appoints two women to deputy leadership positions

    World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday named two women to the WTO’s four deputy leader jobs for the first time in its history.

    The new director-general, herself the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO appointed of the United States and Costa Rica’s Anabel Gonzalez, along with Jean-Marie Paugam of France and China’s Zhang Xiangchen.

    The WTO has counted one woman deputy director-general previously, but Okonjo-Iweala stressed that this was “the first time in the history of our organisation that half of the DDGs are women.”

    “This underscores my commitment to strengthening our organisation with talented leaders whilst at the same time achieving gender balance in senior positions,” said the WTO chief, who took office on March 1.

    “I look forward to welcoming them to the WTO.”

    In making the appointments, Nigeria’s former finance and foreign minister maintained the previous balance of one deputy from China, one from the United States, one from the European Union and one from a developing country elsewhere.

    The new DDGs replace Yonov Frederick Agah of Nigeria, Karl Brauner of Germany, Alan Wolff of the United States and Yi Xiaozhun of China.

    The deputies each take charge of four or five fields at the Geneva-based global trade body, such as legal affairs, market access, development, agriculture and commodities, and intellectual property.

    Ellard has served at the US Congress as majority and minority chief trade counsel.

    Gonzalez is a former foreign trade minister who also served as a senior director at the World Bank and as director of the agriculture and commodities division at the WTO.

    Paugam was France’s permanent representative at the WTO and has held senior positions in the French economy and finance ministry.

    Zhang is a vice minister in China’s Ministry of Commerce who was recently Beijing’s permanent representative to the WTO.

    The organisation is holding a meeting of its general council on Wednesday and Thursday. The council is the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva, featuring representatives from all 164 member states.

  • Okonjo-Iweala, Burna Boy, Omotola, among Forbes Africa’s 100 innovation, icons’ list

    Okonjo-Iweala, Burna Boy, Omotola, among Forbes Africa’s 100 innovation, icons’ list

    The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Omotola Ekeinde, Burna Boy, were among those that made the Forbes Africa’s “100 Innovations, Inventions and Icons from Africa list”.

    The globali media company and American business magazine, Forbes also named Chimamanda Adichie, Davido, Wizkid, Olugbenga Agboola, and Mr Eazi, among those that made the list.

    Forbes focuses most times on listing and ranking on areas like business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and marketing.

    The magazine on its official Twitter account @Forbesafrica said the recently recognized 100 innovations, inventions and icons across various industries was a way of celebrating the creativity of the African mind.

    “This also include the award-winning ideas that had defined the African continent and influential role models that have spelt Africa’s growth over the last decade.

    Reacting on the inclusion, Ekeinde took to her official Twitter account @Realomosexy on Tuesday to expressed gratitude to the Forbes.

    She wrote, “Thanks @Forbesafrica for the inclusion in the 100th issue of Africa’s icon personalities.

    Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-American economist and international development expert who has served since March as Director-General of WTO and the first woman and the first African to hold the office.

  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, catalyst and innovator for global finance and trade, By Chido Nwangwu

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, catalyst and innovator for global finance and trade, By Chido Nwangwu

    By Chido Nwangwu

    She is a bold name member of the Nigerian diaspora — here in the United States, and globally.
    She is a catalyst for progressive change and innovation in the financial centers of the world — especially in development economics.

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, PhD., is the quintessential technocrat who also understands the daily grind of life and living, She is both remarkable for her scholastic achievements as much as for her governance experience. The certainty of her manner of speaking and fact-wise content of her policy expositions have combined to make her one of the most sought after economists in the world. Evident is the fact, too, that she sits on the boards of several corporations, and offers advisory and management ideas to organizations.
    Nigeria’s former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed to the board of Twitter, in July 2018..

    Why is she in the news, this time?
    All things being equal — as her fellow economists usually say on matters of demand and supply — she will this February 2021 make history, again. She is on track to become the first person of African heritage and the first woman to hold the top position of director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

    The position opened with the sudden, early exit of the man who was there; he left since August 2020. Then the notorious Trump Administration blocked her from moving into the position after she was nominated by the Nigerian government.

    Then, last Friday, her major opponent for the position dropped out of the running. She got the critical nod of the American government now led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In a sunny signal toward the nomination, an official of the U.S government wrote that “The United States takes note of today’s decision by the Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to withdraw her candidacy for Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Biden-Harris Administration is pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director General of the WTO”.
    Long before this support, some of the WTO key members/blocs, such as China, the European Union, the African Union, Japan and Australia had indicated their support of Okonjo-Iweala.

    Also, she has a strong network of influential friends — largely amassed during her 25 years at the World Bank.

    Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala whom I met and chatted with, briefly, in Maryland during an event by her alma mater Queens School Enugu (Nigeria), almost 10 years ago — has been a major reference point for inspiration and ra ole model for millions of women. Especially, while she was the Finance minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy in Nigeria.

    She was Minister of Finance under President Goodluck Jonathan. From July 2003 – June 21, 2006, she held the same position under President Obasanjo. She was appointed into a new position, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, August 17, 2011 – May 29, 2015.

    January 2016, she was appointed the Chair-elect of the Board of Gavi which is involved in provide coronavirus solutions.

    Bob Zoellick, World Bank’s ex-president, is one of the heavyweight friends of the public finance specialist. He wrote a memo to World Bank employees on July 8, 2011, where he commended her for, among other things, pushing African economies to greater reliance on open free-market positions. He noted that “Along with her oversight of the bank’s work in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia, and Human Resources, Ngozi has played a pivotal role in overseeing the Bank’s work to help countries hurt by high and volatile food prices…. with Ngozi’s leadership, we put together a food crisis response fund to allow for fast assistance to countries in need. It has helped more than 40 million people in 44 countries.”

    Two of her most recent books are ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous : The story behind the headlines – A frontline account from Nigeria’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of how to fight corruption and lessons learned for governance and development’ — published by MIT Press, (2018) and ‘Reforming the unreformable : Lessons from Nigeria’ (First MIT Press paperback ed. (2012)

    Hopefully, she will begin work at the WTO next week to help create fairer trade relations between African countries and other parts of the world. At another level, it will be new heights of inspiration for many girls. Remember that one of the most influential women of the 20th century, Hillary Clinton, did say, regarding an entirely different issue: ”To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”

    Okonjo-Iweala has been listed as one of the 50 Greatest World Leaders by Fortune magazine in 2015; and has been featured as one of TIME magazine 100 of the World’s Leaders!
    —————
    Dr. Chido Nwangwu, the Founder of USAfrica multimedia networks and public policy organization since 1992 in Houston, established the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper published on the Internet USAfricaonline.com. He served as adviser on Africa business to the ex-Mayor of Houston, Dr. Lee P. Brown. Chido is the first continental African to be admitted to the 100 Black Men of America. He is the author of the February 2021 book, MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity. In July 2017, he was issued a U.S. Congressional Recognition for USAfrica’s 25 years. Chido has been honored by the Washington-D. C.based National Immigration Forum for utilizing multimedia to fight authoritarianism and foster freedom of expression in parts of the African continent.
    He has been profiled by the CNN International for his pioneering works on multimedia/news/public policy projects for Africans and Americans.

    Chido247@Gmail.com follow @Chido247