Elated Okonjo-Iweala Receives THISDAY’s ‘Woman of the Year’ Award in Davos

*Says Obaigbena among Africa’s most creative persons

*Commends newspaper

Sunday Ehigiator

Following her nomination by THISDAY Newspaper as the 2024 ‘Woman of the Year’ in recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the future of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which also saw her reappointment for a second term, the Director General of the global trade body, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was yesterday presented with the ‘Woman of the Year’ award.

The award was presented to Okonjo-Iweala at an event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
The presentation event marked the first phase of the award ceremony, organised as part of the newspaper’s 30th anniversary, themed, ‘When the Going Gets Tough… the Tough Get Rewarded.’ The commemoration ceremony which is the second phase is scheduled to hold on January 27, 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos State Nigeria.

Presenting the award to the WTO boss, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY and ARISE News Channel, Nduka Obaigbena, described Okonjo-Iweala as “an uncommon African who is carrying the African flag around the world showing that the African century is upon us.”

“To the glory of God, it is an honour and privilege in Davos today, to present on behalf of the audiences of ARISE News Channel around the world and readers of THISDAY Newspapers in commemorating our 30th anniversary, to present our 2024 ‘Woman of the Year’ award to an uncommon African, who is carrying the African flag around the world, showing that the African century is upon us. It is a privilege to present our 2024 Woman of the Year award to the head of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.”

In her acceptance speech, Okonjo-Iweala described her recognition as the woman of the year by THISDAY as a very special development. She also recalled that she was once a recipient of the THISDAY Award while she was Nigeria’s Finance Minister.

“Thank you so much to the indomitable Nduka Obaigbena, who is one of the most creative people I know on the continent. I want to thank you for taking the trouble in this very cold weather to present me with this award. I’m very grateful to THISDAY for this recognition and to all the audiences who have supported this.

“This is not the first time I’ve received a THISDAY award. When I was finance minister you also recognised me as finance minister of the year. But this is very, very, very special and I promise you I don’t take it lightly.
“I’ll continue to do my best to try and represent the country and the continent the best way I can and to make sure that the dividends of development also flow our way.”

Okonjo-Iweala was nominated in recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the future of the WTO which saw her recent reappointment for a second term.
She is the first woman and first African to serve as Director-General of the WTO. She has been consistently praised by members of the global trade body for her outstanding leadership at the Geneva-based organisation.
Her reappointment for a second-term highlighted the strong support for her efforts to enhance the WTO’s relevance and capacity in addressing the evolving challenges of global trade.

Amid significant global economic challenges, she strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organisation. Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.
She has displayed a strong commitment to ensuring that the WTO remains responsive, inclusive, and results-driven.

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August 23, 2025
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Tinubu Pushes for Local Arms, Ammunition Production to Enhance Insurgency Fight

*Says his administration desirous of institutions’ strengthening

*Optimistic about renewed confidence in Nigeria’s economy

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday vowed to scale up local production of arms and ammunition as part of his renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. He said boosting homegrown defence capacity will not only reduce dependence on foreign suppliers but also sharpen the nation’s fight against insecurity.
Speaking in Abuja during the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College, the President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the College as a vivid representation of his administration’s commitment to building human capital in areas critical to our national survival.
Tinubu stressed that strengthening indigenous manufacturing of military hardware was crucial in enhancing Nigeria’s security and development.
He applauded the culture of excellence in research at the National Defence College (NDC), citing the Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040, as an affirmation of the strength of such a tradition in the country.
“I must also commend the tradition of research excellence in this College. Your Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040 is a clear demonstration of this strength.
“I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” the President stated.
He expressed delight at the theme for the College’s Course 33, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” pointing out that the foundation of every successful society was strong and resilient institutions.
Noting that his administration has since made strong institutions a national priority, Tinubu said, “They uphold the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, promote accountability, and deliver essential services. In national security, they are the framework for managing conflict, countering threats, and building resilience against instability.
“In development, they ensure sound governance, effective planning, and the delivery of policies that serve the common good. This is why this administration has made institutional strengthening a national priority, and I trust that the knowledge you have acquired here will be deployed to fortify the institutions of Nigeria and of your respective nations.”
The President expressed firm belief that “without strong institutions there can be no lasting democracy,” stating that in pursuit of this conviction, his administration has taken bold steps to reposition the nation’s “economy for growth and shared prosperity.
“Today, there is renewed confidence in our economy, reflected in the nation’s rising business outlook. Today, even the stock market has grown by over forty-eight percent year on year, the best performance in almost three decades.
“While this reflects investor faith in our reforms, I acknowledge that we must continue to tackle inflation and food insecurity to ensure that this growth translates into real prosperity for every Nigerian,” he declared.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s resolve to complete construction at the permanent site of the National Defence College in Piwoyi, saying that while it is a matter close to the heart of the College, he had been briefed on the state of infrastructure at the site.
According to him: “While progress has been made, much remains to be done. I assure you that this administration is committed to completing the permanent site, to ensure that the College continues to deliver strategic training not only for Nigeria but also for allied nations. When fully equipped, this College can, and should, evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University.
“I have therefore directed the Commandant to work closely with the Minister of Defence to develop a clear strategy to upgrade the facilities, while government explores further interventions to enhance the infrastructure,” he assured.
The President implored the Course 33 graduands to join hands in delivering his administration’s renewed hope to Nigerians, just as he recalled that his pledge to the people is “to provide effective and creative leadership, and I call on you to be partners in the task of birthing the new Nigeria we all dream of.
“Graduates of Course 33, you step out today into a world more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than when you began your course last year. Global economic headwinds, the war in Ukraine, the disruptive force of emerging technologies, the threats in cyberspace, and the unsettling resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in our region form the backdrop of your service.
“But you have been prepared for this moment. You have been trained to think and act strategically. You have been equipped to lead with vision and courage,” he also stated.
Tinubu further commended the Commandant, the management team, and the Faculty of the College for grooming the Course 33 graduands for the “Armed Forces, for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and for the friendly nations represented,” in the Course.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral J.O. Okosu, welcomed the President to the ceremony, highlighting his administration’s solid support for the military institution.
He expressed confidence in the graduands’ abilities to deliver, stressing that the training programme is aimed, among other things, at tackling several pertinent security challenges, including banditry and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
On his part, the Deputy Commandant of NDC, Major General Kevin Ukandu, explained that knowledge and skills were imparted to the participants in several areas, including defense management, strategy formulation, command, and geopolitics.

According to him, the training was designed to prepare them to undertake high-level policy, command, and staff functions in single and joint service headquarters, as well as civil appointments at national and international levels.

The Course 33 graduates are drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, and other institutions both within and outside Nigeria

The post Tinubu Pushes for Local Arms, Ammunition Production to Enhance Insurgency Fight appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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Elated Okonjo-Iweala Receives THISDAY’s ‘Woman of the Year’ Award in Davos

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