Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has praised the newly-elected director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, describing her emergence as historic.
By her election on Monday, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala becomes the first female and first African to lead the WTO.
In a congratulatory message on Tuesday, Mr Obi, who had earlier drummed up support for Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, expressed delight at her emergence, saying she had always been known to shine brilliantly wherever she found herself.
Obi said he had high confidence that Okonjo-Iweala has the ability to draw from her knowledge, skills and wide experience from the economic and financial sectors to lead the WTO to greater heights.
He stated that Okonjo-Iweala’s track record of success, both in Nigeria as finance minister and across the world where she successfully served in various high profile positions in many global organisations and agencies, including the World Bank, stood her out as the right candidate for the job.
Obi further commended the member-nations of WTO which, he said, put merit above sentiments in electing a very capable person for the job. He equally appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari “for recognising the great potentials in Okonjo-Iweala and nominating her for the job”, noting that her emergence in the position is a huge blessing to the country.
