Vote Okonjo-Iweala as President base on merit, Jonathan tells World Bank board

Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan on Monday asks the board of the World Bank to consider the candidacy of the Coordinating Minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of President of the bank based on Merit. Mr Jonathan said this in a press statement issued on Monday. He said that since the World Bank is strategically position to “play an important role in partnering with Developing countries to promote growth, tackle poverty and uplift living standards,” the leadership of the institution “matters greatly and must be chosen with utmost care.” The President asked the board to ensure that the process of choosing the President of the World Bank follows an open, transparent and merit based elections which “has been promised by the G-20 Countries as well as the World Bank’s Development Committee.” He said he believes that the knowledge, experience and expertise of the former Vice President of the World Bank and the present Finance Minister will be beneficial “both to the World Bank and to its principal stakeholders.” “She has first-hand experience of managing complex financial and economic development issues at national and international levels, deploying her skills with demonstrated passion, commitment and professionalism,” he said.