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Opinion: NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA: KEEPING EGO IN HER HANDBAG!


In the wake of economic reforms that are being implemented in the Nigerian polity, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has become a victim of slander and the target of verbal attack in its various ramifications. With the volume of vituperative statements and ill-informed public opinion against the Nigerian Iron Lady, one is inclined to believe that the sponsors of such statements are either being deliberately malicious or sincerely ignorant. Having trained myself to believe the best of every person, I prefer to assume the latter – that they are sincerely ignorant.




Any honest person would readily agree that Nigeria is indeed fortunate to have this globally acclaimed economist as head of the Finance Ministry. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has consistently demonstrated incontrovertible leadership skills in various positions which she has held both locally and internationally. An amazon and a woman of many parts, Okonjo-Iweala has established herself as a colossus on the African socioeconomic landscape and a force to reckon with in the global community. In a society where mediocrity is not only tolerated but also explained away, this world-renowned economist and celebrated achiever has risen through the ranks in her career and left indelible marks of performance and result-driven leadership.
Why should our very own be celebrated abroad and denigrated at home? According to The Independent (UK), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a heroine, not just of Nigeria, but of the entire continent. Apparently, we don’t value what we have until we lose it. Her global acclaim notwithstanding, Okonjo-Iweala has not lost touch with her roots. Her unassuming style belies her imperial pedigree, impressive portfolios and celebrity status. In fact, Iweala does not see herself as a celebrity. On the contrary, she is an all-inclusive public servant who will stop at nothing to ensure maximum compliance with established codes in her bid to achieve a vibrant economy while reducing poverty level to the barest minimum.

A trailblazer in many ways, Nigeria’s first female Minister of Finance and first female Minister of Foreign Affairs is one woman who does not excuse laxity on the basis of gender differences. She is reported to have said, “I think being a woman makes you able to deal with a lot of things – and still keep sane. I also think women have less ego. When I became finance minister they called me Okonjo-Wahala – or ‘Trouble Woman’ but I don't care what names they call me. I’m very focused on what I'm doing, and relentless in what I want to achieve. If someone's saying things to make me feel bad, I don't care as long as I get the job done. When it comes to doing my job, I keep my ego in my handbag."

That Okonjo-Iweala is a woman of integrity is another fact that her detractors will find difficult – nay – impossible to disprove. Her numerous achievements are undergirded by a strong fabric of character. The new fiscal discipline she brought to the nation's finances and her role in the cancellation of 18 billion US Dollars of Nigeria's debt to the Paris Club in 2005 is a milestone in our national history. Could we have forgotten that so soon?

On the foreign scene, her work at the World Bank culminated in her nomination as one of three candidates for the World Bank Presidency in the historic elections conducted in April 2012. Undaunted by the outcome, she renewed her commitment to work for the benefit of the poor people of the world. Listed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world by Forbes, a leading source of reliable international business news and financial information, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a high performer and recipient of several awards. In today’s fast-paced world where success in the public arena is almost always synonymous with failure on the home front, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stands out as a remarkable reference point. Despite being a celebrated public figure, Okonjo-Iweala has a rich family life. Beyond her several responsibilities as a leader and policy maker on the global scene, she fulfils her roles as a wife and a mother.

The Delta-born minister is like Saul of Tarsus, who has weathered contrasting seasons of life and consequently, has learnthow to abound and how to be abased. Her experience during the Biafran war in 1967 left an indelible mark on her mind as she came face-to-face with the harsh realities of surviving on one meal per day or less. At the end of the Biafran war in 1970, her family had lost everything. Obviously, such an experience would give one a graphic understanding of the plight of the poor who live from hand to mouth. With her trademark traditional attire of printed cotton (popularly calledAnkara), head gear and matching accessories, her identity as a Nigerian brand is unmistakable. Rather than the campaign of calumny which has been launched against her, I think this great woman deserves our accolades. If you think otherwise, take a closer look.

Oluwadamidara is social commentator and an academic.
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14 comments

  1. My brother, I cannot agree less with you. Ngozi Okonjo-iweala is a blessing and a pride not only to Nigeria but to the entire black race.
    Lets honour her while she is alive!!!

    ........Olaquality

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  2. Icherish her work and effort.As far as you are a human,you must have enemies

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  3. Yes, this woman is indeed the pride of Africa, and the pride of Nigeria. She is someone that gets things done and doesn't bow down to those selfish egotistical god-forsaken politicians of ours. Well done ma, and more grease to your elbows!

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  4. Nigeria still have so many people that can never be pleased no matter how had u strive, simply because your effort to make Nigeria better is either depriving them of their means of livelyhood or making their in-effectiveness noticable so they choose to endlessly criticise. Thanks goodness is not detered by criticism. Cudos to Okonjo-iweala $ a word of encouragement for other that long to remain good.
    .......Obikenn

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  5. A paid columnist.tell me with all your praises but why is it a normal nigerian budget which is less than the buget of new york fire service dept can not be fully implemented or even 50% implemented.the best we can hear is 35-37%.no wonder she failed in her bid to be the world bank president.

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  6. Anony 11:31 you are an antagonist.May be you are one of those she deprived of their selfish means of livlihood.She knows her the best for her country bc she is a professional.Tnx to Okonji Iweala.This year is the only year i witnessed no inflation in Nigeria goods

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  7. Anonymous 11:31,you be bad belle kawai

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  8. Anon 11:31,you are aboki.You'll always discredit others to show that others are worthless.Only your faith is worthy.Hypocrates,repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.

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    Replies
    1. U are so myopic. What has anonymous 11:31 post got to do with his faith?so U̶̲̅ think U̶̲̅ are clean enough to judge other peoples faith?u should be the one repenting. Next time if u don't have any meaningful contributions to make on head-lines,its better U̶̲̅ shut Ʊя̩̥̊ mouth.

      Delete
  9. Anon 11:31,you are aboki.You'll always discredit others to show that others are worthless.Only your faith is worthy.Hypocrates,repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.

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  10. Leave 11:31 alone. He didnt attack anyone. Just because U like what someone is doing does not mean U can't criticize aspects they are lacking in.
    U're the same ppl who can't poke holes in a lot of Fashola's pro-rich policies.
    I like a lot of things out minister has done but she has brought no discipline to anything in Nigerian finances. That is above her head. GEJ is an idiot, she can't solve that so no matter what she does. It'll just be a drop in the bucket

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  11. LET THOSE WHO CELEBRATE THE DEAD ONLY THINK TWICE. THE REASON FOR HER ANTAGONISTS CRYING FOUL IS THAT SHE STANDS FOR WHAT THEY DON'T. SHE STANDS FOR A BETTER NIGERIA AND BETTER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED AND THAT IS A SLAP ON THE FACES OF THESE MINDLESS AND CALLOUS PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT ONLY NIGERIANS BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ACOLYTES IN THE WEST. BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN; THOSE WHO WISH HER EVIL ARE PREPARING TO HOST EVIL IN THEIR DOMAIN PERMANENTLY. GOD BLESS OUR OWN OKONJO-IWEALA.
    (Mike Abe)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mtcheeeeew, nonsense!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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