Browsing: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is no stranger to firsts and landmarks. Prior to being appointed the DG of the WTO, she had completed a cumulative seven-year tenure as the Nigerian Finance Minister under the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations. She also, at a time, served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the first woman in her country to occupy these two demanding roles.

“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of four new Deputy Directors-General at the WTO. It is the first time in the history of our organization that half of the DDGs are women. This underscores my commitment to strengthening our organization with talented leaders whilst at the same time achieving gender balance in senior positions. I look forward to welcoming them to the WTO,” DG Okonjo-Iweala said.

In recent decades, great women have led government organisations, parastatals, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and even nations of Africa and have excelled beyond expectations. Women like Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Aruma Oteh and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who now is the Director-General of World Trade Organisation. We have seen examples of Ellen Sirleaf Johnson who did well as Liberia President and the first female President in Africa from 2006 to 2018 and now Samia Suluhu Hassan, the new Tanzania female President.

Last week, Nigeria’s name reverberated all over the world again, this time not for opaque-minded leadership, corruption, banditry, Boko Haram or Fulani herdsmen’s violence. In far away Los Angeles, at the 63rd annual Grammy awards, Burna Boy, real name Damini Ogulu, won the Best Global Music Album category with his Twice as Tall track, while Wizkid won the Best Video for his song with Beyonce.