Nigerians React As Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Allegedly Rejects Photo With Tinubu In France
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Saturday come under fire after posting pictures of herself with other Presidents at the Paris Global Financial summit but conspicuously missing Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria.
New Telegraph had on Tuesday reported that President Tinubu jetted out of Nigeria to Paris in France to attend the Global Financial Summit.
Tinubu attended the conference that was hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron along with other world leaders.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who also attended the event seize the opportunity to take pictures with world leaders and share them on her verified Twitter handle.
The photographs whichh emerged on social media show how Okonjo-Iweala was interacting with the Presidents of Brazil, Senegal, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.
Following the photos that omitted President Tinubu, aggrieved Nigerians have taken to their Twitter handles to criticised the WTO DG.
They contend that Okonjo-Iweala’s failure to give the President of her nation top priority and share a photograph with him raises doubts about her devotion and is interpreted as a slight of Tinubu.
Online Twitter users expressed their displeasure, stating that Okonjo-Iweala’s actions diminished the importance of the Nigerian President’s attendance at the meeting and might be seen as an insult to him.
However, Okonjo-Iweala later uploaded photographs she appeared with Tinubu and other set of leaders at the summit.
She tweeted: “More images from the Paris Summi #NewGlobalFinancingPact. With HE President Ali Bongo @PresidentABO, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, HE President @WilliamsRuto and African Business moguls @Mo_IbrahimFdn @TonyOElumelu“
Anger on social media grew, it is important to remember that Okonjo-Iweala’s choice to omit a photo with President Tinubu may have been affected by a number of variables, such as time restraints, the dynamics of the occasion, or a particular protocol followed at the summit.
Okonjo-Iweala’s duty as WTO Director-General involves interacting with leaders from around the world to address global trade concerns and promote fair economic practices.
She is the first woman and the first African to hold the position. Her engagements with other heads of state at the Paris Summit are consistent with her duties in promoting global partnerships.
Nigeria’s political scene is dynamic and frequently characterized by a range of viewpoints. The response on social media in this case underscores the rigorous scrutiny that public figures receive and the importance accorded to diplomatic encounters with Nigerian diplomats on the international stage.
As the debate over Okonjo-Iweala’s photo-sharing decisions rages on, it is crucial to take into account the bigger picture of her influence at the WTO and her contributions to furthering Nigeria’s interests abroad.
Together with other world leaders, President Tinubu’s attendance at the Paris Global Financial Summit demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to international economic cooperation.
Although the lack of a photo with him may have caused some controversy, it is important to view the situation objectively while keeping in mind the complexity and subtleties that influence diplomatic interactions.
The episode serves as a reminder of the increased scrutiny that public people face in the social media age, when every action may be quickly amplified and interpreted in a variety of ways. Nigerians are anxiously awaiting further information and remarks from the parties involved as the online discussion develops.
Saturday Telegraph: Text, Excluding Headline)
