Some women’s groups on Monday said the appointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, was a sign of hope for Nigerian women.
The women who expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, were hopeful that soon more women would assume positions of leadership in notable organisations around the world.
Mrs Betty Abah, Executive Director/Women and Children’s Rights Advocate, the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) said Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment was a good omen for Nigerian women.
“Her victory is a testimony to the resilience of the Nigerian spirit and also the fact that when it comes to competence, there is no gender barrier.
“She is a harbinger of hope for the Nigerian woman and girl that we can play at the global stage when given the platform and opportunities on even grounds.
“Okonjo-Iweala’s potential has never ever been in doubt but the stumbling blocks, especially those put by former US President Trump looked as if the dream wasn’t going to come true at some point,” Abah said.
Mrs Chile Frank-Udemgba, the convener, Woman and Half Initiative (WAH), said Okonjo-Iweala’s new position would pave the way for more successes for women and the country as a whole.
“I congratulate Okonjo-Iweala, her new position as the new director general is a major win for all women though it comes with great responsibility and we know she will do us proud.
“We expect her to continue to be a role model for strong African women and believe this will pave way for many more successes and will inspire young girls to aspire for the highest positions in any field of choice,” Udemgba said.
Also Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, who was Okonjo-Iweala’s classmate and the 2015 presidential candidate of KOWA party, said her appointment was a sign that women were going higher in leadership roles.
“A very hearty congratulations to her because she was actually my classmate in secondary school and I know the quality that she is bringing to the job.
WTO: Gov. Okowa congratulates Okonjo-Iweala
“I am positive that she would make a good impact.
“It is also a wonderful thing for women that we will continue to climb higher. We are getting into positions but what we really want for Nigeria is to get into positions of political leadership and decision making.
“That is what we are really looking forward to, but we are very happy that this has happened,” Sonaiya said.
Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment was announced on Monday at a special general meeting of the WTO.
The General Council agreed by consensus to select Okonjo-Iweala as the organisation’s seventh D-G.
When she takes office on March 1, she will become the first woman and the first African to be chosen as D-G of the world trade body. Her term, though renewable, will expire on 31 August 2025.
