By Gift Habib
The European Union may have thrown its weight behind the Nigerian candidate for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and her Korean counterpart, Yoo Myung-hee.
Eight candidates started the race and after the screening five were shortlisted through a selection process.
The remaining five candidates to competite for the WTO job are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea, Amina Mohamed of Kenya, Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Liam Fox of the United Kingdom.
The organisation plans to announce two finalists after October 6 and announce the winner by November 7.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala had earlier gained the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In her presentation to the council, if elected, promised to work with members to prioritise delivering the 12th Ministerial Conference MC12 successfully with good outcomes on fisheries, agriculture and other areas.
Among her plans, she said “I would also prioritize updating the rulebook unlocking the dispute settlement system, working on transparency and notification, enhancing the work of regular bodies and strengthen the secretariat.
“For me, it would be an honor and privilege to serve,” she said.
