FG endorses Okonjo-Iweala’s WTO candidacy
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum has called for the endorsement of Dr. Ngozi Ikonjo-Iweala by Heads of Stater Delegations to the World Trade Organisation, WTO, based on her antecedents, competence and statements to the General Council.
The second phase of consultation for the appointment of a new WTO, Director-General was concluded on October 6 with the final round underway. According to observers, Dr Okonjo-Iweala is widely favoured to clinch the top job.
In a statement, Chairperson of the Okonjo-Iweala Campaign Team, Katagun, charged Heads of Delegation to read again, the statement f intent and agenda submitted by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, describing the former Nigerian Minister of Finance as “the best choice for the job”.
She commenced the series of endorsement of Dr. Iweala’s candidacy from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to the European Union, EU, as “an excellent testimony of her eminent qualification for the top job”, adding that “the WTO needs a DG with multiple skills to revive the challenged spirit of trade liberalization worldwide.
“The WTO faces a lot of problems currently. Confronting these challenges necessarily requires building trust among the membership, especially as the problems are not solely of a technical nature. Only a DG with the requisite political and negotiating skills coupled with multilateral experience can ensure deep engagement of the Ministers in order to restore trust and build a truly efficient organisation. Dr Iweala is the right fit”, she said.
Katagum, who before her appointment was the Nigerian Ambassador , permanent delegate to UNESCO, said Okonjo-Iweala’s qualities and experience in managing multilateral issues, in trade facilitation and negotiation as well as brokering deals and agreements with high political stakes, puts her in good standing.