The coordinating Minister for the economy and Minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has described her contest for the World Bank’s president as history for Africa.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala made this known in a signed statement, titled “WE HAVE MADE HISTORY” where she congratulated Dr Jim Yong Kim on his emergence as President of the World Bank Group.
The former Managing director of the World Bank expressed her desire to work with the new president, staff and stakeholders of the World Bank Group “for the benefit of poor people around the world. Their plight is at the heart of the mandate of the institution and we must never lose sight of that” she stated.
She however called for a review of the selection process, saying “it is clear to me that we need to make it more open, transparent and merit-based.”
Calling for more transparency in the selection process, Dr Okonjo-Iweala noted “we need to make sure that we do not contribute to a democratic deficit in global governance” she added.
She noted that the credibility her candidacy brought to the contest will ensure that the selection process will never be the same again. “Nevertheless, by our participation we have won important victories. We have shown what is possible. Our credible and merit-based challenge to a long-standing and unfair tradition will ensure that the process of choosing a World Bank president will never be the same again” she inferred.
“The struggle for greater equity and fairness has reached a critical point and the hands of the clock cannot be turned back” she demanded.
She also congratulated the former Colombian Minister of Finance, Dr Jose Antonio Ocampo for being a worthy participant and for his decision to withdraw his candidacy in her favour.
“I am proud of Africa for displaying great unity in supporting my candidacy. I am proud of my country Nigeria for standing by me. I want to thank all the African leaders, but particularly Africa has stood for the right principles throughout these processes. I am proud to be African.”
She expressed her profound gratitude to African leaders including President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his resolute support, along with other leaders – President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’iVoire, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Chair of the African Union, Mr Jean Ping.
She also thanked other developing countries who supported her candidacy, the Nigerian public, the National Assembly and the Nigerian and international media for their analyses and support.
“I am deeply grateful to the numerous groups and individuals in different parts of the world that worked so hard and so passionately in my support” the statement read.
“It was a worthwhile battle. Now it is time to move on and contribute to the search for solutions to the many developmental challenges that confront the world” she concluded.