The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Tuesday congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
on her emergence as the 7th Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The National President of NCWS, Mrs Laraba Shoda, congratulated Okonjo-Iweala in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, saying
that her emergence was a blessing to Africa and Nigeria in particular.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed as WTO’s Director-General by the General Council
meeting on Feb. 15 after nine months of selection process.
Shoda said “I am happy that the prayers of Nigerian women were not in vain.
“Our prayers were for her to be declared the consensus director-general of the WTO, even when it tarried, it finally came to pass and we thank
God for the declaration.
“She is indeed the first African and the first woman to occupy the prestigious position.
“Undoubtedly, Okonjo-Iweala is a shining light and a beam of hope to Nigerian women, African women and to women around the globe.”
The NCWS boss called on Nigerian women, African women and women around the world to support Okonjo-Iweala to ensure she carried
out her job adequately and successfully.
NAN reports that with the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala, becomes the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General of WTO.
She is expected to take up the role on March 1, with renewable term set to expire on Aug. 31, 2025.
The General Council of the WTO had on Oct. 28, declared Okonjo-Iweala as best suited candidate to occupy the position after she got
endorsement of 106 countries, including the European Union and ECOWAS as the preferred candidate.
However, the U.S. challenged the declaration, saying it would continue to support the next candidate in line, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Yoo Myung-hee.
Following the U.S. objection, a follow-up meeting of the council was slated for Nov. 9 for final decision.
But history was made on Feb. 15, when the General Council of WTO agreed by consensus to select the former Nigerian minister of finance as the
organisation’s 7t director general. (NAN)
