Forbes has named Nigeria’s former Finance Minister Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Africa Person of the Year 2020.
Jomog News Nigeria reports that Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has emerged Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2020.
This was announced in a tweet by the world’s leading voice for entrepreneurial success and free enterprise on Tuesday.
“The 2020 #AfricanOftheYear Award honoree is…Congratulations to Dr. @NOlweala! Board Chair @Gavi; Board Chair @ARCapicity, gracing the cover of @forbesafrica,”
While reacting to the recognition, Okonjo-Iweala, who is set to become the first African and first woman to lead the World Trade Organisation in its 25-year history, said she is excited by the prestigious award, and dedicated the award to Africans facing the health and socio-economic challenges of COVID-19.
She tweeted, “Thrilled to be named Forbes Africa-CNBC ‘2020 African of the Year’ following in the footsteps of my great brothers Paul Kagame and Akin Adesina.”
“This award is for fellow Africans suffering the health and economic impact of #Covid19. The energy and resilience of Africans inspire me!”
Nigerians who have bagged the award in the past include President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammad Sanusi II; President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; amongst others.
Okonjo-Iweala, who has been the chair of Board of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation since January 2016, dedicated the award to all Africans.
The 66-year-old former World Bank director, who has a resumé full of qualifications and a bundle of talents, had been selected consensus candidate by the WTO Selection Committee for the role of director general.
The move was, however, opposed by the Donald Trump administration which preferred South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee for the job.
The United States unilaterally opposed Okonjo-Iweala despite the fact that the WTO selection committee determined she “clearly carried the largest support by members” and “clearly enjoyed broad support from members from all levels of development and from all geographic regions.”
The selection committee is expected to meet this month in Switzerland to pick a choice between Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee.
