September 16, (THEWILL) – Former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been listed as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2021 by TIME Magazine.
In addition, she adorns the cover of the influential US-based international news magazine.
The former Minister shared the good news on her official Twitter handle on Wednesday.
She said: “Honored and privileged to be on the cover of the Time Magazine and to be recognized as one of the world’s most influential leaders! Profound thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their kind words. All Glory to God!”
In a statement, the royal couple celebrated Okonjo-Iweala and spoke of feeling humbled by being accommodated in the Time’s list of top 100 people.
The statement said: “Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are not only humbled to be part of this year’s TIME 100 through the words of friend and partner José Andres, but to also write in praise of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the publication’s annual list of Most Influential People.”
Meanwhile, Harry and Megan had made a submission to Time on the world-renowned Nigerian financial wizard.
Penning their treatise to the WTO DG under the heading “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,” the royal couple and the Duke and Duchess Of Sussex, Prince Harry And Meghan Markle, wrote: “What will it take to vaccinate the world? Unity, cooperation—and leaders like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“As the first African and first woman to lead the World Trade Organisation, a 164-member group of nations that oversees trade across the world, Okonjo-Iweala took on the role of director-general this March at a watershed moment for our global health and well-being.
“Make no mistake, her job affects every person, family and community. As we face a constant barrage of vaccine misinformation, bureaucratic slowdowns across both government and industry, and the rise of variants that underscore the urgency of the situation, Okonjo-Iweala has shown us that to end the pandemic, we must work together to equip every nation with equitable vaccine access.
“Our conversations with her have been as informative as they are energizing. This is partly because, despite the challenges, she knows how to get things done—even between those who don’t always agree—and does so with grace and a smile that warms the coldest of rooms.
“The fragility of our world right now cannot be overstated. Just over a quarter of the nearly 8 billion global population is fully vaccinated.
Achieving vaccine equity is a global duty of compassion for one another. Our hope is that guided by strong leaders like Ngozi, we can get there soon.”
The couple stepped down as senior royals early 2020.
About the Author
