Okonjo-Iweala Begs Buhari To Call World Leaders Over WTO DG Job

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's candidate for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General job, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call other world leaders and solicit for their support, to enable her become WTO DG.

Okonjo-Iweala made the request while meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential villa today, Monday, October 12, 2020. AllNews had reported that Okonjo-Iweala made it to the final two with South Korea's Yoo Myung-hee, following the elimination of five other candidates.

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While speaking to President Buhari, Okonjo-Iweala said the President should “make one final push within the week to beat the Koreans and bring this to Nigeria by sending a few letters and placing telephone calls to some world leaders, and also thank others for their support,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala also stated that, “I feel very proud of Nigeria. I am getting so much support from you, Mr President, Chief of Staff, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investments. The ministers have been working around the clock to ensure that I succeed,’’ she said, adding, "Mr President, put a smile on my face. I am very proud of the country.’’

President Buhari also said he will speak to world leaders to request for their support, in order to ensure she becomes WTO DG and the first African and woman to head the position. Buhari said Okonjo-Iweala is qualified for the WTO DG job.

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“I assure you that we will do all that we can to ensure that you emerge as the Director-General of WTO, not only because you are a Nigerian, but because you are a hardworking Nigerian. You deserve this,’’ Buhari said.

“I did the same for Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for President of the African Development Bank. Both of you served the country under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). You are both highly qualified,” he said, adding that, “We will continue to support you. I will immediately make those calls.”