A collage photo of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, Okonjo Iweala and Alhassan Yahaya
By Jimmy Enyeh
The Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her reappointment as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, (WTO). In the same vein, the governor also congratulated the newly-elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Alhassan Yahaya, on Friday.
Okonjo-Iweala, an illustrious Deltan from Ogwashi-Uku, was a two-time Minister of Finance, who led Nigeria’s economy to exit foreign debt obligations during her first term under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, on Friday, expressed appreciation to relevant stakeholders of the WTO for rewarding Okonjo-Iweala with a second term after she was first appointed in 2021.
The Governor said Okonjo-Iweala has had exceptional career and expertise in economics and international development with focus on economic reform, poverty reduction, and global trade, earning her numerous accolades and widespread respect.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate a worthy ambassador of Delta and Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her reappointment as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Your appointment is indeed, a testament to your competence and experience as a renowned economist and international development expert.
“Your reappointment without any opposition is indeed a reflection of the hardwork you put in your first appointment.
“It is our prayer that as you continue in this remarkable journey, our prayers are with you always, you will re-enact that which you have always done by bringing pride and honour to Delta and Nigeria,” Oborevwori added.
In a related development, Governor
Oborevwori Congratulated
Alhassan Yahaya, who was elected as President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
Yahaya, who works with the Gombe Media Corporation, is the first NUJ President of North-East extraction, and was elected at the NUJ 8th National Triennial Delegates’ Conference, held in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday.
Until his election, Yahaya was the immediate past Deputy President of NUJ. Abimbola Oyetunde was also elected as the first female Deputy National President of the NUJ. Oyetunde becomes the first woman to occupy the position.
Also elected were Muhammad Tukur – VP Zone A; Ronke Samo – VP ZONE B; Adeiza Momoh Jimoh – VP Zone D; Zare Baba -VP Zone E; Dokubo Okpakamaba -VP Zone F; Victor Ndukwe – National Treasurer; and Samuel Dada – National Financial Secretary
Others are Abdulrazak Bello Kaura – Secretary Zone A; Alege Abdulrazak – Secretary, Zone B; Adiukwu Ezenwa – Secretary, Zone C; Dauda Mohammed – Secretary, Zone D; Abubakar Musa, – Secretary, Zone E; and John Angese – Secretary F.
Oborevwori congratulated the President and all newly elected National Executive Council ( NEC) of the union on their successful election.
“The election of Alhassan Yahaya as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists was not a surprise, following his antecedents as Gombe State Chairman and immediate past Deputy National President of the union.
“The emergence of Yahaya is significant and momentous, especially at this time. At this crucial juncture in our nation, the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, must actively fulfil its essential watchdog function by holding public officials accountable.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, on your well-deserved election as President of Nigeria Union of Journalists.
“I urge you to make the welfare of journalists a top priority so that they would be better disposed to playing the critical roles expected of them as agents for good governance and accountability,” the statement added.
He expressed optimism that Mr. Yahaya would make a positive difference in this task, given his wealth of experience and the positions he had occupied in the profession.
The Governor, while assuring the new NUJ President and indeed the union, of his support and partnership at all times, congratulated members of the NUJ for a successful election.
He also commended the immediate past President of NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo, for his contributions to the development of the journalism profession while in office.
