By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Despite the late opposition of the United States of America (USA) to the selection of Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director- General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), there are indications that she will be confirmed on November 9, 2020, when the WTO Board of Directors will meet to finally to ratify the new appointment.
This cheering news was dropped Thursday by Professor Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka,
Senior Special Assistant on Industrialization to the President of African Development Bank (AfDB).
Prof. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka who spoke on Channels Television breakfast programme ‘Sunrise Daily’ said despite the US government’s opposition to the selection of Okonjo-Iweala to fill the vacant post of D-G of WTO, the Nigeria-born international financial expert will clear the last hurdle on November 9.
Said he, “I am very optimistic that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will be confirmed by WTO Board of Directors that will meet on November 9. I believe reason will prevail because she is ably qualified to do a good job as the D-G of this respected organisation”.
Prof. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka lamented the position of US government on the endorsement of Okonjo-Iweala by the WTO Panel of Selectors like the same America did to stop Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina from becoming the AfDB President.
He however commended the solidarity of African countries to support the candidature of both Adesina and Okonjo-Iweala, pointing out that such common ground can only benefit the continent.
According to him, “African countries have no choice than to pull together to fight a common course. This continent is hugely blessed with everything to be great so the earlier we work together for development of our continent the better for us”.
