WTO Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Urges End to Political Exploitation of Insecurity and Crude Oil Theft at NBA Conference
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has called on Nigerian politicians to cease using insecurity as a tool to undermine their political opponents.
During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala addressed a gathering of lawyers. In her keynote speech titled “A Social Contract For Nigeria’s Future,” Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the critical link between security and socio-economic development.
She stated, “We cannot have socio-economic development without security, and we certainly cannot have security without development.” The WTO chief criticized the use of insecurity as a political tool, noting that political actors have weaponized security issues for political gain, contributing to the current challenging situation in Nigeria.
In her keynote address at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala condemned the practice of using insecurity as a political strategy. She criticized politicians who, in an attempt to undermine their opponents, intentionally instigate insecurity to create the appearance of ineffective governance. Okonjo-Iweala stressed that this tactic, which disregards the resulting loss of lives and property among innocent Nigerians, must come to an end.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that technological advancements now provide sufficient means to track and address crude oil theft in Nigeria. She emphasized that those tasked with combating this “intolerable” crime can no longer claim excuses for their inaction.
In her remarks, She highlighted that securing national assets is a crucial aspect of overall security. She noted that organized, large-scale crude oil theft has severely damaged Nigeria’s economic and financial stability for years.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), asserted that all Nigerians must unite in condemning the theft of national assets, calling it “intolerable” and demanding an end to it. She stressed that crude oil theft has hindered the growth of the nation’s foreign reserves, emphasizing that available technological advancements should leave no room for excuses regarding inaction.
Okonjo-Iweala made these remarks during an event titled “Pressing Forward: A National Posture to Rebuilding Nigeria,” which featured prominent figures both from Nigeria and abroad.
The event titled “Pressing Forward: A National Posture to Rebuilding Nigeria” saw notable attendees including former Ghanaian President John Mahama and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, who were present in person. President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Additionally, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were also represented at the event.
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