Details Of Buhari, Okonjo-Iweala Meeting Emerge

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with former minister of finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Okonjo-Iweala, who’s vying for World Trade Organisation (WTO) plum position of director-general visited Buhari at the presidential Village.

Speaking during their meeting, Buhari promised that the federal government will do all it can to ensure she emerges the director-general of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo Myung-hee, the South Korean minister of trade, are the two final candidates for the top position at the WTO.

Whoever emerges between the duo will become the first female WTO DG since the organisation was set up 25 years ago.

Buhari noted that Okonjo-Iweala has the pedigree and competence for the job and she deserves to land it

The president assured her that he would make some phone calls and send letters to some world leaders for more support.

“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,’’ Buhari said.

“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,” he said.

“We will continue to support you. I will immediately make those calls.”

Commenting on the president’s support, Okonjo-Iweala said she is proud to be a Nigerian.

She also appreciated Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders for their endorsement.

She asked Buhari 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”.

“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,’’ Okonjo-Iweala said.

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