By Modupe Gbadeyanka
When it comes to global trade, Nigeria is not a force to reckon with as several products from the country are not recognised in the international market.
This has been a source of worry for the government, which is making efforts to change the tide and ensure Nigeria earns foreign exchange from other sources apart from the sale of crude oil.
Recently, a former Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was appointed as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). She became the first female and African to occupy the position.
Over the weekend, she arrived in Nigeria for a one-week visit and on Monday, she visited President Muhammadu Buhari to thank him and the country for the support given to her when she was vying for the post.
During the visit, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, who assumed office on March 1, 2021, advised the nation to always add value to its products in order to trade more, promising that the “WTO will do more to help Nigeria.”
She said the country showed her immense support and she is willing to reciprocate.
“You nominated me, you wrote hundreds of letters, called up hundreds of world leaders. Without your personal and direct intervention, it may not have worked.
“The people of Nigeria also supported me massively. The youths were wonderful, always encouraging, backing me up on social media.
“Mr President, the world recognises what you have done. Since its establishment, only men have led the WTO. Now, a woman has emerged for the first time, and she’s a Nigerian. We are so honoured,” the WTO DG said.
In his remarks, President Buhari congratulated the former Managing Director of the World Bank, saying she earned the position because of her performance and track records.
“You also earned it. We are happy you made it, but you earned it with your record of performance both at home and abroad,” Mr Buhari said.
The President said Dr Okonjo-Iweala was putting Nigeria more on the world map, “and I congratulate you, as well as the country. I know you will represent us so well.”
