‘Nigeria’ll engage relevant people to make Okonjo-Iweala WTO MD’

The Federal Government has said it will ensure that Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emerges as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation by engaging relevant stakeholders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this in a statement on Thursday. It was signed by the spokesperson for the ministry, Ferdinand Nwonye.

“Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation is realised,” it stated.

The ministry noted that the former Managing Director of the World Bank had secured the support of the majority of the WTO members with only the United States opposing her.

It stated that a meeting of the General Council of the WTO had been scheduled for November 9, 2020, for the final decision on the election process.

It said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the third and final round of the selection process of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization was concluded on Tuesday, 27th October 2020, and the result was formally announced on Wednesday, 28th October 2020.

“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured the support of the majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner.

“This is because apart from winning the election, all the 164 Member States of WTO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus, in accordance with the rule of procedure of the WTO.

“It is important to highlight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala has secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus.”