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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed for a Second Term as Director-General of the WTO
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s renowned economist and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has shared her thoughts following her reappointment for a second term.
The WTO General Council confirmed her reappointment, extending her leadership for another four years.
Okonjo-Iweala expressed profound gratitude for the trust and support shown by the WTO’s 166 member nations.
In a statement addressed to the WTO General Council on Friday, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the honor of continuing in her role, emphasizing her commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members,” she said.
“It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second term.”
Since taking office, Okonjo-Iweala has played a pivotal role in guiding the WTO through some of the most challenging times in recent history.
Under her leadership, the organization navigated the global economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, managed the effects of ongoing conflicts, and faced growing geopolitical tensions.
Looking ahead, the Director-General emphasized her dedication to delivering impactful results.
“In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions,” she noted.
“As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter—results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world.”
In her statement, Okonjo-Iweala also mentioned the importance of collaboration within the WTO.
She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with the organization’s staff to build a multilateral trading system that is more inclusive, equitable, and based on clear, fair rules that benefit all.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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