-Blank NEWS Online –By Albert OGRAKA:
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh FCNA, CrFA, has expressed satisfaction on the consensus election of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying that besides recent global health and economic challenges, she posseses the ability to steer the organization fairly and equitably.
The DESOPADEC MD/CEO said her emergence was by Divine intervention, considering the protracted process that led to her becoming the first African and first woman to head the global body.
In a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online on Friday, February 19, 2021, the DESOPADEC boss congratulated Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for consistently bringing Delta State and Nigeria into global limelight.
“At a time our country is bogged down by unsavoury tales of violence, economic recession and threats to law and order, news of the eventual emergence of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has brought a lot of cheer and soul lifting to Nigerians of all persuasions.
“After a protracted process that was under threat of being scuttled but for Divine intervention that saw the change of administration in the United States of America, our own Okonjo-Iweala deservedly became the first African and first woman to head the global body.
“I am immensely delighted by her victory. She is the most qualified, the most experienced and her rich pedigree as a former Managing Director of the World Bank, two-term Minister of Finance in Nigeria among other posts she has held made her the most suitable for the job.
“Her victory is a soul lifting development for our country and an indicator that despite the legion of challenges facing Nigeria, the solutions and the path to progress are very much within our capacity. What is required of us is to jettison all primordial considerations and confront our challenges with our best hands.
“I am very confident that this great daughter of Delta State will steer global trade on the path of fairness and equity.
As the world moves towards post-Covid 19 recovery, critical agencies such as the WTO need to adopt trade practices that will be fair, equitable and create wealth for all regions.
These are some of the immediate challenges Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has to contend with. And I am confident she will deliver.
“To our dear sister, we at Delta Sate Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, celebrate your consensus election as the first African, first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. We congratulate and celebrate you for once again bringing Delta State and Nigeria into global recognition.
“The task before you is daunting because the WTO has been at a crossroads as many member countries have been deviating from longstanding norms governing international trade.
“With your unblemished background as a development economist and long running worldwide achievements, I am confident you will achieve meaningful multilateral agreements and trade-monitoring functions consistent with 21st century world trade.
“As the world anxiously awaits your reforms and rejuvenation of the trade body, there are no doubts about your capabilities in striking a balance in checkmating the paralysis that has lately been the bane of the WTO and effectively promote free and fair trade across the world.”
