Okonjo Iweala: Congratulatory Messages Pour In For History-making Nigerian

Congratulatory messages to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are pouring in from around the world after her confirmation on Monday.

World leaders and government officials have expressed hope in the ability of Okonjo-Iweala to lead WTO well.

WTO chose Okonjo-Iweala to be the first woman and first African as its leader, tasking the former Nigerian finance minister with restoring trust in a rules-based global trading system that has been roiled by protectionism and the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a virtual meeting on Monday, the WTO’s 164 members unanimously selected the 66-year-old development economist to serve a four-year term as director-general.

After withstanding a refusal of her candidacy by the now-departed Donald Trump administration, Okonjo-Iweala takes the helm of the Geneva-based WTO at an unstable time for the world economy and just as the organization itself is mired in a state of dysfunction.

READ ALSO: How Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Is Expected to "Shake Things" At The W.T.O

She previously held a role as chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization after a public sector career in international finance, including two terms as Nigeria’s finance minister and some 25 years at the World Bank.

Her dual U.S. citizenship means she is also the first American to hold the organization’s top job.

See how Okonjo-Iweala was celebrated by prominent persons on social networking service, Twitter below:

Congratulations to my dear big sister ⁦@NOIweala⁩ on becoming today the first woman and first African to be elected as Director General of ⁦@wto⁩. Congratulations! ???⁦ pic.twitter.com/jZQEZZAUNj

— Akinwumi A. Adesina (@akin_adesina) February 15, 2021

1/On behalf of the @GovtOfImoState and the good people of Imo State, I join Nigerians all over the world to congratulate a distinguished Nigerian, Dr. @NOIweala on her appointment as the next World Trade Organization - @WTO Director-General. pic.twitter.com/7Rcj23OGdH

— Hope Uzodimma (@Hope_Uzodimma1) February 15, 2021

Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala has always been a shinning star, not just in our country Nigeria, but across the world where her leadership impact has been felt.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) February 15, 2021

Proud to have worked with the new Director General of the WTO Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her team in 2005 to write off $18bn of Nigeria's debt and clear another $12bn. Here we are at a Trafalgar Square demonstration in 2012 where we breifly met Nelson Mandela. pic.twitter.com/J5a4LfsfEQ

— Ann Pettifor (@AnnPettifor) February 14, 2021

Speaker @femigbaja congratulates @NOIweala on emergence as @wto DG

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). pic.twitter.com/fR4cTITK39

— Speaker of the House of Representatives (@SpeakerGbaja) February 15, 2021

The summit will also be a great moment to listen to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala, the first African and first female to become the World Trade Organisation's Director General. Hearty congratulations to her and to Nigeria for this feat. pic.twitter.com/jn6g2t3xHc

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) February 15, 2021

On behalf of all Deltans, I join all Nigerians in congratulating one of our most renowned citizens, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, on her emergence as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. pic.twitter.com/y4UEWkDzPX

— Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (@IAOkowa) February 15, 2021

As she prepares to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), I congratulate Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as the next Director General. https://t.co/PmRr0ogx88

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) February 15, 2021

The world has entered in a new epoch with the appointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Dr Okonjo-Iweala, to lead the WTO, is beacon of hope for Nigeria.

— Gov N E Wike Information. (@GovWike) February 15, 2021

Congratulations to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on being appointed Director General of the World Trade Organization(WTO, a fitting additional milestone for one of Africa’s finest leaders. Super #inspiring #HistoryMade pic.twitter.com/aNshxivEUG

— Prof Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) February 14, 2021

Congratulations Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on your well-deserved appointment as the Director-General of @wto. No one is better suited for this position than you. The WTO and the World await your wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership. Congrats.#WTO #Nigeria #Africa pic.twitter.com/s080y3qBVO

— Blessing Okagbare MFR (@mountain214) February 15, 2021