Ex-finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians for their support after the World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed her as one of the top two candidates for the organization’s Director-General (DG) role.
“Happy to be in the final round of the @wto DG campaign. Thanks, WTO members for your continued support of my candidacy,” she tweeted Thursday, hours m the WTO confirmed she made it to the final stage for the DG job.
“I could not have made it without the in prayers and support of all Nigerians and friends around the world. Thank you @MBuhari and all my friends. Aluta continua!”
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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Korean minister Yoo Myung-hee will advance to the third and final stage,” WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters at the global trade body’s headquarters in Geneva.
Whoever wins the contest — with a decision due before November 7 — will take over an organisation mired in multiple crises and struggling to help member states navigate a severe global economic slump triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
Roberto Azevedo stepped down as WTO director-general in August a year ahead of schedule. The initial pool of eight candidates to replace him was narrowed down to five in last month’s first round.
