By Correspondent in Awka
(C) Ezeemo media office.
Mr Godwin Ezeemo, an Anambra state-based industrialist and PDP governorship aspirant in Nov. 6 Governorship election in the state says Okonjo-Iweala’s track record, that aided her new appointment as the Director-General, World Trade Centre (WTC) speaks volumes of her personality.
Ezeemo stated this in a statement released from his media office in Awka on Tuesday and a copy made available to The Reporters.
Ezeemo recalled that the WTC boss did well in Nigeria as Finance Minister and across the world, where she successfully served in various high profile positions in many global organisations.
He said that other agencies, including the World Bank, stood Okonjo-Iweala out as the right candidate for the job.
Ezeemo said, “It was really a testament of her worth and capabilities, a proof that hard work pays,” he said.
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has also lauded the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala,
Obi,in his Congratulatory Message made available to the journalists in Awka on Tuesday, 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 had 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 also appreciated Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari for recognising the great potential in Okonjo-Iweala and nominating her for the job, noting that her emergence in the position was a huge blessing to the country
Contributing, Chief Damian Okeke- Ogene , National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, said that Okonjo-Iweala had made the black race proud and earned the respect of the world and placed Nigeria in a world map.
Okeke-Ogene described her as a woman who was professional balanced and focused in whatever she ventured into doing, she turned the economy of Nigeria round for good when she manned the Ministry of finance.
“ She is a disciplined woman who handles every responsibility before her with sense of integrity and transparency, she is the jewel of Africa and role model to women all over the world,” he said
Chief Chris Elumunoh, a stakeholder in Anambra state, commended the member-nations of WTO which he said put merit above sentiments in electing a very capable person for the job.
Elumunoh said that Okonjo-Iweala was well qualified for the position and prayed for her to prove her mantle at a time like this and urged all Nigerians to put her in their personal prayers.
Mrs Ngozi Agu, a community leader in the state,who noted that Okonjo-Iweala had proved that women were not dull people, congratulated her and urged mothers to train the girl- child well.
Agu said that Okonjo-Iweala had left a huge mark for women to emulate and aspire to be in any top office in the world,as long as they merit it.
“Please parents give your child quality education, because education remains the best gift to give a child, boy or girl. I advise women to work harder to ensure their children are schooled,” she said.
She prayed God to grant the new WTC DG, the wisdom to deliver on her new mandate, “May God Almighty grant you the wisdom and strength to succeed in this globally powerful organization,.” She prayed.
The Reporters recalls that WTO had on Monday Feb. 15 announced in a tweet, that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria had been appointed as it’s next Director-General .
Okonjo-Iweala,therefore, makes history as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO. Her term starts from March 1 and expire on Aug.31, 2025, but could be renewed, the organisation said.
The online publication reports that WTO needed to have next direct-general since former chief, Roberto Azevedo stepped down in August 2020, a year earlier than his second four year term would have ended.
She was challenged by South Korean Teade Minster Yoo Myung-hee who later withdrew from the race.
