I was surprised Trump blocked my WTO job, says Okonjo Iweala
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did not expect that the US will object to her appointment as the WTO director-general
- According to her, she had what she believed was successful interviews with the top country
- However, Okonjo-Iweala praised the Biden/Harris administration for changing the dynamics of things
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Following her appointment as the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has revealed that she did not expect the Trump administration to block her candidacy for the job.
In fact, the former Nigerian finance minister says she was actually surprised that the administration could stand in her way.
She disclosed this at a press conference shortly after she emerged as the DG, Daily Trust reports.
According to her, she had two interviews with the US government and there was no indication that she would be opposed.
She said:
“I think I was quite surprised when that came (opposition from Trump) because there was no indication that there was any problem with the US.
Source: Twitter
“I had two good interviews with the authorities and with the administration so it was a surprise. But that’s the way life works. When things happen, you take them in your stride and you move on."
However, she reserved her praise for the new administration in America.
The new WTO DG added:
"It was absolutely wonderful when the Biden/Harris administration broke that logjam."
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Okonjo-Iweala spoke on her history-making appointment.
She showed her appreciation in a post she tweeted on social media on Monday, February 15, shortly after it was announced that she had been appointed.
Her post read:
"It is done! Thank you @WTO members for finalizing my election today and making history. In the 73 years of GATT and WTO, honored to be First Woman and First African to lead. But now the real work begins. Ready to tackle the challenges of WTO. Forget Business as usual!"
Legit.ng had also reported that Delta governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated Okonjo-Iweala, on her emergence as the director-general of the organisation.
The governor thanked the former World Bank managing director for bringing pride and honour to her home state of Delta in the south-south region of Nigeria which he currently presides over as the chief executive.
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Okonjo-Iweala, also a former foreign affairs minister in the country, hails from Ogwashi-Uku, the Igbo-speaking part of the state.
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Aanu Adegun is a politics and current affairs content editor at Legit.ng with over 7 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. Aanu, who is also a creative writer has written books and children magazines. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. Aanu is also a satirist.
Source: Legit.ng
