We’ll push, push until you win, President Buhari assures Okonjo-Iweala

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja assured Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the country will explore every opportunity and deploy its entire energy to ensure that she becomes the Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Dr Okonjo-Iweala is one of two candidates contesting for the top position of the multilateral institution.

President Buhari, who received the former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank at the Presidential Villa, said she deserved more support to get the top job 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,’’ the President told Dr Okonjo-Iweala.

In her remarks, Dr Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned development economist, thanked the President and his ministers, particularly the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment for supporting her staunchly.

“I feel very proud of Nigeria. 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,’’ she said.

The former Minister of Finance also appreciated ECOWAS leaders for their endorsement, mentioning in particular the outstanding contributions of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and immediate past Chairman of ECOWAS as well as President Alhassan Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

She asked the President to “make one final push within the week to beat the Koreans and bring this to Nigeria by sending a few letters and placing telephone calls to some world leaders, and also thank others for their support.’’

“Mr President, put a smile on my face,’’ she said, “I am very proud of the country.’’

PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DR OKONJO-IWEALA 0A. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance and Top Contender for the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala during an Audience at the State House.PHOTO; BAYO oMOBORIOWO. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DR OKONJO-IWEALA 1A. President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance and Top Contender for the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Zubari Dada, Minister of Industry Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Mariam Katagum during an Audience at the State House.PHOTO; BAYO oMOBORIOWO. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DR OKONJO-IWEALA 0B. President Muhammadu Buhari, the Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance and Top Contender for the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (Left), Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb Zubariu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Mariam Katagum during an Audience at the State House.PHOTO; BAYO OMOBORIOWO. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 2. From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN with Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige; Special Assistant To the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Hon Nasir Adhama; Top Contender for the Position of Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO)/ Former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala During on arrival of Dr Okonjo-Iweala to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 2B. From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN with Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige; Special Assistant To the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Hon Nasir Adhama; Top Contender for the Position of Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO)/ Former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Mariam Katagum During on arrival of Dr Okonjo-Iweala to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 9. L-R; Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, SSA to the President on Youth, Hon Nasir Ndhama during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DR OKONJO-IWEALA 0A. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance and Top Contender for the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala during an Audience at the State House.PHOTO; BAYO oMOBORIOWO. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DR OKONJO-IWEALA 00B. R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, the Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance and Top Contender for the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo during an Audience at the State House.PHOTO; BAYO OMOBORIOWO. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 7. Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari chats with the Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 3. R; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 4A&B. R; Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Dr. Humphrey Orjiako during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 5A. L-R; Ambassador Dr. Humphrey Orjiako, Minister of Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo , Chief of Staff, Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Mariam Katagum during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES OKONJO-IWEALA 6. L-R; Minister of Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Mariam Katagum, Dr Humphrey Orjiako, Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Finance, WTO Top contender, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others during an audience with President Buhari at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 12 2020.