“I feel very proud of Nigeria, my country,” said the former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
The former minister, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, October 12 to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his support towards securing the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), said: “I am getting so much support from you, Mr. President, Chief of Staff, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investments. The ministers have been working around the clock to ensure that I succeed.”
Okonjo-Iweala, who is one of the contenders to the position, begged President Buhari to “make one final push within the week to beat the Koreans and bring this to Nigeria and to you by sending a few letters and placing telephone calls to some world leaders, while thanking others for their support.
“Mr. President, put a smile on my face. I am very proud of the country.”
She appreciated ECOWAS leaders for their endorsement, in particular, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and immediate past Chairman of ECOWAS as well as President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.
She also thanked some Nigerian ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for supporting her staunchly.
This was even as President Buhari assured her of the support of his government to ensure that she emerged the winner of the contest, adding that she deserved more support because of her profile and diligence in serving the country and the world.
“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,’’ he added.
The President assured Dr Okonjo-Iweala that 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 President of the African Development Bank. Both of you served the country under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). You are both highly qualified. We will continue to support you. I will immediately make those calls.”
