Opinion 6: The future looks female as Ngozi Okonjo Iweala becomes the first director-general of the world trade organization.
On Monday, the 15th of February, 2021, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was unanimously appointed as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Following her nomination for the position of Director- General alongside Myung- hee, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala emerged winner after receiving the backing of the US, Kenya, Nigeria, The European Union, ECOWAS, and a host of other bodies and government.
Her appointment is well deserved as Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is known for her expertise in Economics, her competency was regularly demonstrated during her career at the World Bank and two times Nigeria’s finance minister.
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala made history by becoming the first woman and also the first African to grace the seat of the Director-general, World Trade Organization. History-making seems to be to her as breathing is to us- a must happen activity as she is the first woman to serve as the country’s Finance minister and also the first to serve in that office twice. She rose to the position of Managing director of World Bank during her 25-year stay there. She is the founder of Nigeria’s first indigenous opinion- research organization, NOI- Polls, she also founded the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (C- SEA).
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala identifies as a woman with a strong voice, her efforts in creating positive change is unparalleled, it’s no wonder why she has been listed as one of the 50 Greatest World Leaders by Fortune in 2015, the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World (TIME, 2014), the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World (Forbes, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and a plethora of other recognitions and award, she definitely, is the best fit for such a position.
The famous American singer cum businesswoman, Dolly Rebecca Parton posited that “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader”. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala’s actions which birthed recognitions and awards have spurred other women across the globe to aim for excellence. Recently, a trend named Be like Ngozi challenge was staged. Here, women from different age groups and walks of life participated by dressing up like Ngozi and declaring fervently their resolution to be as successful as the newly elected Director-General.
We have women who like Ngozi, stepped up their games by making unusual efforts to succeed and are spearheading top positions in their various fields of expertise, paving the pathway to a bright female future. A woman worthy of note is the First woman to be appointed Chairman of First Bank and also the winner of the Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Award, Ibukun Awosika. Another is Folorunsho Alakija, a onetime Most Powerful Woman in Africa, she is the Managing Director, Rose of Sharon Group and also the Vice-Chairman, Famfa Oil.
It is not surprising that many of the female-led nations are thriving, Female leadership seems to be the new normal as opposed to what was attainable in previous years. Female presidents and prime ministers like Kolinda Grabar- Kitarovic of Croatia, Kersti Kal Julaid of Estonia, Jacinda Arden of New Zealand and Katrin Jakobsdottir have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country they govern.
The future truly looks female, it depends on how successful we let it be.
SAMUEL EUNICE
