Trade Union Congress endorses Okonjo-Iweala for WTO top role
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Onome Amuge
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to make every move necessary to ensure Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate in the keenly contested position of director-general of the World Trade Organisation gets the exalted office.
According to the union, her emergence would reaffirm to the world that Nigerians and Africans, in general, are great people, a feat the world can confirm by the exploits of accomplished Africans.
The union further expounded that Okonjo-Iweala needs no introduction both within and outside Nigeria as she spent a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rose to the number two position of managing director, operations, after which she served two terms as finance minister of Nigeria.
“The question now is not whether she qualified or capable of handling the task. This contest is an aspect of international politics and we all must go all out to play it. Okonjo-Iweala is a renowned global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with decades of experience, having worked in about five continents. Her exposure is incontrovertible,” the union stated.
The TUC decried the current state of the world economy which has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that has led to loss of about 400 million jobs and livelihoods globally. It maintained that Okonjo-Iweala who in time past has spearheaded several World Bank initiatives is the most competent candidate for the position of the WTO chief.
The Nigerian economist and international development expert who recently got the support of the European Union is in the race for the exalted position alongside Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, Saudi Arabian politician and former minister of economy and planning; Liam Fox, British politician and former secretary of state for international trade; Yoo Myung-hee, South Korean minister for trade and Amina Mohamed, Kenyan diplomat and politician.