Tag: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Okonjo-Iweala will drive Global Trade – World Bank
Economy, Interview, News, Nigeria

Okonjo-Iweala will drive Global Trade – World Bank

The international financial architecture is ‘skewed in favor of rich and creditor countries’, the World Bank said yesterday. President of the bank, David Malpass exposed the partial state of the architecture at the close of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2021 Development Committee meeting, in Washington D.C. yesterday. He said the disturbing state of the global financial system was exposed last year by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made challenges and staggering needs of every country’s economy even clearer. Malpass said: “One major challenge is that the current international financial architecture is heavily skewed in favor of the rich and creditor countries. It is ever important that all voices are heard. I urge all of us to consider how we can restore growth in developing co...
I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala
Economy, Finance, Interview, News, Nigeria, Trade, Women Empowerment

I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's former Finance Minister, says she was surprised that President Donald Trump's administration could stand in her way of leading the World Trade Organisation (WTO). At a press briefing, the new Director-General of WTO said she did not see it coming. She said she felt she had a good understanding with the US government, which interviewed her about the job twice. "I think I was quite surprised when that came (opposition from Trump) because there was no indication that there was any problem with the US. "I had two good interviews with the authorities and with the administration, so it was a surprise. But that's the way life works. When things happen, you take them in your stride and you move on. "It was wonderful when the Biden/Harris administration b...
Opinion: 5 Reasons Why President Trump won’t Support Okonjo-Iweala as Next WTO Director General –  Blessing Mene
Africa, China, Economy, Features, Finance, Nigeria, Trade, United States of America, Women Empowerment

Opinion: 5 Reasons Why President Trump won’t Support Okonjo-Iweala as Next WTO Director General – Blessing Mene

This is an opinion article by Blessing Mene. People who want Okonjo-Iweala to become the next WTO Director-General mostly are excited about the prospect of the first female & African to lead the WTO. But President Trump doesn't think that way, here are five secret reasons why President Trump won't support Okonjo-Iweala: 1. He thinks from the perspective of Nationalism and his biggest interest is to have a WTO leader who will stand up to China and other countries leveraging loopholes in the WTO to supposedly "take advantage" of America. Look at how Trump is reshaping to the US Supreme Court and Federal Courts. 2. President Trump's a radical conservative who is currently looking to end the influence of liberals and globalism. That's why he got elected in the first place. He doesn'...
WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US
News, Nigeria, United States of America

WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US

The United States has explained its stance not to back Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General position, noting the position must be held by ‘someone with real, hands-on experience in the field’. The US instead has thrown its weight behind South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee to head the WTO. Okonjo-Iweala who is Nigeria’s former Finance Minister is currently in poll position to secure the job after the WTO nominations committee on Wednesday recommended her to its 164 member countries for appointment into the top spot. Explaining its position, office of the US Trade Representative which advises President Donald Trump on trade policy in a statement said Yoo had distinguished herself as a trade expert and has all the necessary skills to be an eff...
Buhari Assures Okonjo Iweala of Support for WTO Job
Economy, Finance, Nigeria

Buhari Assures Okonjo Iweala of Support for WTO Job

  President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the efforts of his administration in ensuring that former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emerges the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Buhari who gave the assurance when he received Okonjo-Iweala at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja said she deserved all Nigeria has to offer because she had also served the country diligently. “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 affirmed. The President assured he will make more phone calls and send letters to some world leaders for more support. “I did the same for Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for Presid...
Okonjo-Iweala Makes Final Two in WTO Race
Africa, African Development, Finance, News, Nigeria, Women Empowerment

Okonjo-Iweala Makes Final Two in WTO Race

  Former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has made it to the final stage of the race to the office of the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Mrs. Iweala made the final cut with South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee, Bloomberg reports. Okonjo-Iweala has experience working at international governance bodies as a former managing director of the World Bank and as a chairman at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation. Yoo is South Korea’s trade minister. During her 25-year career in government, she has helped expand her country’s trade network through bilateral accords with the U.S., China and the U.K. WTO General Council Chairman David Walker will formally announce the results to the institution’s delegates today in Geneva. United Kingdom’s Li...