Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has said her position would open doors of opportunity for women to attain enviable positions.
The Nigeria’s former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, history on Monday when she became the first woman and first African to attain that position in the 73 years of existence of the multilateral organisation.
Okonjo-Iweala, in a programme at ARISE NEWS Channel, in Washington, expressed joy over her being picked for the WTO leadership position.
She said she would work hard so that by the time she would leave office, her good work would pave the way for other women to succeed.
According to her, after she left as the finance minister women started having opportunities to occupy foremost positions, adding that she will want such to be replicated at the WTO.
This is coming as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) congratulated her, saying that her emergence has made Nigeria proud.
Okonjo-Iweala said she would address the concerns of big and small member countries, while thanking Nigerians for their support and prayers.
“I am amazed and I feel very proud and humble because many delegations see this as a historic occasion and moment where members have elected the first woman and the first African but on top of that, there is a third point they are making and that is, they have elected someone they feel has the knowledge and experience and competence to deliver.
“So, I tell people I am very proud to be African; l am proud for Nigeria and the continent and also proud for women. But the bottom line is the capability to do the job and to deliver so that, after me, there will be other women, other Africans, and that is the whole point.”
She stated that in her recent book with a former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, she wrote about women and leadership, stressing the need for women to be given leadership positions in global organisations.
Given instances of her role as finance minister in Nigeria, she said she focused on delivering and working round the clock.
