After five months without a substantive leadership, the General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced it will hold a special session to ratify Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General next week.

The WTO General Council Chair, David Walker met with delegates yesterday to ascertain if there were further objections on the candidate.

The WTO’s General Council will hold a special meeting on 15 February at 15:00 Geneva time to consider the appointment of the next Director-General. The meeting will take place in virtual format.

WTO

It is uncertain however, if she will be asked to take up the reins almost immediately or at a later date, in view of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference holding in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan later in the year.

The biennially-held Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision-making of the WTO which finds itself in a deep crisis occasioned by the challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade tensions between the US and China, the collapse of the dispute settlement appeal system amid growing protectionism.

Key WTO ambassadors had last year preferred Nigerian, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the WTO with the US insisting on Yoo Myung-Hee.

With Seoul announcing last week, the withdrawal of her candidate, Myung-Hee hours before the Biden-led administration's strong support for the Nigerian, the path is expectedly clear for the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.

Myung-Hee, Korea's first female Trade Minister, pledged to co-operate with the incoming DG-WTO.

Deeply honored to have been able to run for the @WTO Director General position. Many thanks for all the support given to me during the process.

Will work closely with the new DG and all @WTO Members to reform and revitalize the multilateral trading system.

Yoo Myung-Hee

The DG's role is expected to be primarily advisory, managerial and renewable after four (4) years.

Okonjo-Iweala is a global financial expert, economist and international development professional spanning, three decades of experience. She was twice appointed Nigeria's Finance Minister and briefly, Foreign Affairs Minister. The first woman to occupy both positions.

Noted

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Do you see the meticulous approach to this selection process? It is founded on two traits which are merit and acceptability. First you have to be duly qualified and secondly, the members must agree unanimously on the candidate pick.

This is how things should be done. Taking time to get the best out of every situation.

Just hope Nigeria learns a thing or two from this.



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Good

Congratulations ma'am for breaking the age long held believes and stereotype that Africans cant head top position in World leading economic institutions

IMF or World bank in sight next.

Meanwile, screw Trump and the sycophants in Nigeria who were hoping she will fail.

Even though Madame Ngozi is not perfect she has done enough to deserve her current position in my view.

Osagyefo98:



Is it Kemi Adeosun who forged her nysc certificate at Idiroko that is perfect?

I think I made my comment from Economics standpoiont not from your clannish theory. MR village boy.

Even Mrs Yellen the current Treasury sectary of America have a lot people within the Economics world that feels her policies promotes socialism.

I felt Madame Ngozi could have saved more during the oil boom years under Jonathan

Africans Aaaaamaaaakaaaa

This is grace...


I duff my hat for u ma'am...

Left alone for Nigerians, NOI would have been appointed. We should all be calming down.

US is the beautiful bride right now.

Outstanding woman with a reputable track record in public office.

After reading her book, Fighting Corruption is Dangerous, I cannot but respect her even more.

Sadly, Nigeria isn't a country that encourages and rewards its most brightest brains.

Nepotism, bigotry and cronyism is the new order of the day.

Congrats Okonjo Iweala on your soon to be confirmed position.

I only wish people like her were front-runner contestants for our presidential elections.

Adeladeboluwa:
Is it Kemi Adeosun who forged her nysc certificate at Idiroko that is perfect?

Idiroko ke?hahahaha


Good

Congrat strong woman...download Foreign DJ Mix on NaijaDJMixapes

Congrats

What's taking them so long self...

We have been reading same for quite some time now

capitalist tool; congrats ma remember naija

Congratulations to Anioma people God bless South South.

Why delay it? Racist Trump no de again na.

Nice

Biafrans
We still move


Good ,for her
I would love her to train kemi adeosun
I love that woman

When God is by your side even machine they set to work against you will malfunctions, her talent speak louder that no one can cover it, believe me Nigeria has been in recession before Jonathan but this woman used her intelligent to man over it, I see grace following this woman.

elmessiahs:
capitalist tool; congrats ma remember naija

To brainless people, all Southerners na Nyamiri

You are a winner already Madam Okonjo,
Our Darling Daddy got your back from day one!
And Anybody that all of us @ [/color] support is always a winner and always ends up Victorious.
We told you from day one you should Just becareful that some certain losers led by a cownu no put mouth for ur matter,
If so, na sorry go be dis case o.
It has happened over and over and over again and again.
You can ask Dino, Saraki, Your guy Jonathan, Jimi Agbaje, Atiku and even most recently, Donald Trump.
As long as you stay clear of such multiple losers, you are a winner.
And we are happy you took to the advice of the elders @ [color=#006600] Madam Oby.
Truth is not bitter, just that some losers are bitter to the truth, we go continue to dey talk am.... you heard?!

From the horse's mouth : Thanks, WTO members for your continued support of my candidacy. “I could not have made it without the prayers and support of all Nigerians and friends around the world. Thank you, President Buhari and all my friends. Aluta continua!”

And catify too

Monimatic:

Oshiomole , Amaechi, Omojuwa and others who condemned this woman and lay false unfounded allegations against this woman , before , during and after the 2015 elections should bury their head forever in shame

Hypocrite, and what do you have to say about the President of everyone in your lineage that supported her from the beginning till the end.
That she gave millions of thanks and gratitude to personally, saying without his support, she couldn't have ever been here.
You stylishly ignored that one, but here to blame others.
Hypo everywhere.....

I pray her role at WTO would be beneficial to Nigeria not just to the already developed Nations

Osagyefo98:



Is it Kemi Adeosun who forged her nysc certificate at Idiroko that is perfect?

what he wrote up there was borne out of sincerity ,but you tribal bigots have to tweak the whole narrative .

There's more to life than just being a dumb individual looking for attention on the internet