The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the candidature of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of the Director General of the World Trade Organization for the period of 2021-2025.
In this regard, the lawmakers also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to further rally other African leaders to support her bid as the Director General of the WTO.
While Commending ECOWAS Authority of heads of states and governments for their strong endorsement of Iweala, they urged the Federal Government to interface with the governments of Egypt and Kenya to step down their candidates in the spirit of African oneness and reciprocity.
They also urged the Pan African parliament to follow suit.
These resolutions followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion of urgent national importance brought before the House by the leader of the minority in the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
Elumelu while moving the motion said: “The house notes that via the Marrakesh agreement of 15th April 1994 and signed by 123 nations, the World Trade Organization came into existence replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
“Further notes that on 1st January 1995 the agreement came into force with a mission of regulating international trades in goods, services and intellectual property between participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing the adherence of participants to their agreements.
“Aware that the chairman of the General council of the World Trade organization (WTO) has announced the commencement of the process to replace the outgoing Director General Roberto Azevedo ,with the opening date for nomination set at 8th June 2020 and closing date for 8th July 2020".
Elumelu said that a distinguished Nigerian, two term minister of finance and a onetime minister of foreign affairs, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been formally nominated by the federal republic of Nigeria to vie for the exalted position of the Director General of the WTO for the period of 2021-2025 and if successful will be the first female and first African to have occupied the office.
He further said: “Acknowledge that president Buhari having put into consideration her outstanding academic and professional background as well her long years of managerial experience at the top echelons of multilateral institutions, her reputation as a fearless reformer and excellent negotiator graciously endorsed her as the nation’s candidate for the WTO job.
“Further acknowledge that with the COVID-19 pandemic at hand and many countries faced with difficult choices and critical moments, the WTO has a vital role to play in hunting for trade solutions and building trust amongst member states, hence the need for a capable hand that can make the WTO fit to thrive for the 21st century.”
He said there is no doubt that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has the requisite capacity and experience to handle the challenges of WTO at this critical moment.
He expressed concern “that it is the perfect time for Africa to assume leadership at the WTO and all concerned stakeholders must unanimously commit to achieving this.
“Aside Dr Iweala, Africa has two other candidates from Egypt and Kenya and entering the race with three candidates from Africa will split Africa’s votes, which cripples the prospect of an African assuming the WTO position.”
Elumelu said it is therefore imperative for Nigeria to “urgently reach out to the governments of Egypt and Kenya on the need to rally round a single candidate for the continent in the person of Dr Okonjo-Iweala.”
The lawmaker recalled that in the past, Nigeria has staunchly supported the candidatures of other Africans to leadership position at multilaterals, including the candidacy of late Boutros Boutros Ghali an Egyptian national to become the Secretary General of the United Nations.
“A good turn deserves another and we must now unite the African continent and ensure cooperation amongst our countries to put the continent first.”
The Minority leader further acknowledged that having a Nigerian as the Director General of the World Trade Organization will further enhance the image of the country amongst the committee of Nations hence the need to massively support this bid.
When the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila called for a voice vote, the motion was passed without dissention.
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