WATCH: “I am not daunted” – Okonjo-Iweala speaks to CNN’s Richard Quest

by Lekan Olanrewaju

The World Bank is set to make a decision on its presidency on April 16, and with the “day of reckoning” drawing closer, Nigerian candidate, and coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has sat down for a talk with CNN’s Richard Quest on the issue.

Speaking from Delhi, India, she stated that she was “highly honoured” by the support of the continent, and in a typically confident fashion, the “Iron Lady” went on to say that she was the best for the job, citing her years of experience.

“You don’t want to spend six months, a year, learning how the institution functions before you can lead” she said. “I can lead from the word go.”

“I am not daunted” she continued, “because the shareholders of the World Bank promised a fair, merit-based, open and competitive process.”

“This is not theory you are dealing with, it’s fact, it’s experience, it’s real world, ‘how do we make a policy decision that will help millions of poor people today? So that gives me a lot.”

She also spoke on job creation in developing countries, saying that would be one of her main focuses.

The bank should also focus on promoting growth in developing nations to create jobs, especially for young people.” she said.

“I’ve never met a poor person who didn’t want the dignity of a job. If they have a job, they can take care of their health problems, their education problems.”

Check the video out below.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is also set to be formally interviewed for the position of World Bank President on April 9, by the Board of Directors at the bank’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

Comments (2)

  1. All I can say is, if u truly ve d interest of d poor ppl in dis country at heart; God will see u thru but if not, u will smell that seat but will never get there in Jesus name. Amen.

  2. Can I just say I am loving this woman more and more? Gotta admire her confidence

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