TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the US for endorsing Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, for the position of director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Buhari said Nigeria is “looking forward to working very closely” with the Joe Biden administration on “issues of common interests”.

Okonjo-Iweala, on Friday, gained the support of the US after emerging as the sole candidate for the position.

Commenting on the development, Buhari said the coast is now clear for Okonjo-Iweala to get the job.

“We certainly welcome the decision of the new U.S administration to remove the last obstacle in the path of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to becoming the first female and the first person of African descent to lead the organization,” the president was quoted to have said in a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman.

“Today, we see that the United States stands with Nigeria and Africa with the acceptance of our widely respected citizen, Okonjo-Iweala to lead the WTO.

“We look forward to working very closely with the new U.S administration on this and all issues of common interests, especially in such areas as accelerated economic growth, fight against terrorism and deepening progress on development issues.’’