The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, expressed her commitment on Tuesday to stand by Nigeria during these challenging times, alongside her team, and work towards supporting the nation’s needs.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala, accompanied by former Minister of State for Health, Mohammed Ali Pate, highlighted their discussions’ emphasis on strategies to bolster Nigeria.
The WTO DG emphasized the exploration of grassroots initiatives aimed at assisting young people and women. These initiatives would target sectors like agriculture, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, seeking to harness the potential of trade to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
“We want to help them in digital trade so that they can create more jobs,” Okonjo-Iweala stated.
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During their meeting, the focus was on devising programs to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, particularly women and children who have borne a significant burden. The conversation also touched on investment opportunities, with a keen interest in the pharmaceutical sector.
“We’re already working in Nigeria with women, in particular, who own small and medium enterprises, to try to help them upgrade the quality of their products, whether it’s in the agricultural area, textiles, and other areas so that they can sell more internationally,” Okonjo-Iweala explained.
The Director-General emphasized the WTO’s commitment to supporting Nigerian women entrepreneurs by enhancing their participation in digital trade, thereby fostering increased trade and employment opportunities.
In response, Pate highlighted President Tinubu’s awareness of the challenges faced by the Nigerian populace and his dedication to finding solutions. He emphasized the President’s vision for health, with a focus on primary healthcare systems and hospital care, underscoring the importance of comprehensive policy interventions for the country’s well-being.
The discussion concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to navigate through Nigeria’s current difficulties and emerge stronger, united, and poised for a prosperous future.
(Edited by Oludare Mayowa; omayowa@globalfinancialdigest.com; Newsroom: +234 8033 964 138)
