It was all cheers and joy, encomium poured in, bouquets of flowers came in large numbers as the world celebrated one of her outstanding citizens and Nigeria’s own pride, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her 70th birthday, on Thursday, June 13, 2024
For the World Trade Organisation (WTO) boss that was one of the happiest days of her life.
In a swift expression of her profound joy for her special day, the Ogwashi-Uku born economist took to an X post and shared celebratory photos.
“I don’t normally do personal tweets, but today is an exception! It has been one of the happiest days of my life – my 70th birthday! So much outpouring of love from everywhere!! I want to thank all WTO Ambassadors, WTO staff, friends and family! I’ve never received so many bouquets of flowers from all over the world, as I have today! Along with good wishes and prayers. I consider myself blessed to have a loving husband, family, friends and well wishers! All Glory and Thanks to God,” she said.
Born on June 13, 1954, in Ogwashi-Uku in present-day Delta State, Okonjo-Iweala is a former two-time Minister of Finance of Nigeria and former Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank.
In March 2021, she became the first woman and first African to serve as WTO DG and was named among Time’s 100 most influential people in the world same year.
Okonjo-Iweala previously served on the boards of Twitter (now X), Danone, Standard Chartered Bank, Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, One Campaign, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Rockefeller Foundation, Results for Development (R4D), African Risk Capacity (ARC), Earthshot Prize, among others.
Global tributes have trailed her birthday, including from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and leading opposition figure, Peter Obi.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu described Okonjo-Iweala as “a worthy ambassador of Nigeria, exemplifying the grit, diligence, and brilliance that Nigerians are known for”.
Obi celebrated her “for the very impactful contributions she has made to our nation and to the global community”.
Meanwhile, in her home state, Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori described Okonjo-Iweala as a distinguished daughter of Delta from Ogwashi-Uku, praising her for being the first African woman to lead the global trade organisation.
