Will kondi okonjo make it?


http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN823774.html

Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala for World Bank?
Fri 18 May 2007, 5:36 GMT

[-] Text [+] By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose name has topped lists of non-Americans to head the World Bank, said she had not been approached about the job.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Okonjo-Iweala said she was convinced the poverty-fighting institution would be able to overcome damage caused by a pay and promotion scandal that forced the resignation of Paul Wolfowitz on Thursday.

Asked if she would be interested in leading the bank, the former World Bank executive said: "No one has asked me, let me make that clear. But who wouldn't be interested?"

While Okonjo-Iweala's name has been tossed around Internet and other circles as a possible candidate to replace Wolfowitz, a non-American has never been nominated to head the bank.

The White House indicated on Thursday it was not about to change that tradition.

"What has happened has happened. It's time to move on," said Okonjo-Iweala, a distinguished visiting fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, adding that developing countries ought to get a stronger voice in running the World Bank.

"It is an institution that is very worthy and I really believe in the institution. It needs a lot of healing."

Okonjo-Iweala has been praised for her fight against corruption and spearheading free-market reforms in her native Nigeria, one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

When she was suddenly reassigned by President Olusegun Obasanjo to foreign minister in 2006, a move that was never properly explained, Wolfowitz traveled to Nigeria where he praised her leadership and fight against corruption.

Anti-poverty activist and U2 singer Bono has also shared platforms with her and praised her work.

In the interview, Okonjo-Iweala said that as a former World Bank official who had also been in government, she knew the bank's worth.

"The World Bank still has a very strong role to play, not only for poor countries but also for middle-income countries, not only for Africa but also developing countries, so it's an institution that needs to be nurtured," she said.

Wolfowitz found an ally in Okonjo-Iweala in his fight to make anti-corruption and good governance more of a priority in the World Bank, eventually succeeding in passing a strategy that put it at the forefront of the bank's work in poor countries.

Later, as the controversy swirled around him, World Bank staff accused Wolfowitz of having "double standards" and "not practicing what he preaches."

But Okonjo-Iweala said his anti-corruption strategy could still be effective, even after his resignation.

"The anti-corruption initiative started before Mr. Wolfowitz, who gave it a strong push," she said. "I think it will be continued and should be continued."

For the story on Wolfowitz's resignation

What I do not understand is why the White House should be the one deciding who goes or who stays in the World bank.

The article reproduced below tells the disturbing story.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

White House to quickly replace Wolfowitz By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer
1 hour, 1 minute ago



WASHINGTON - Trying to put a controversy behind it, the Bush administration was wasting no time finding a successor to World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who will resign over his handling of a pay package for his girlfriend.

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Wolfowitz on Thursday announced that he would step down at the end of June, his leadership undermined by a furor over the compensation he arranged in 2005 for Shaha Riza, a bank employee.

His departure ends a two-year run at the development bank that was marked by controversy from the start, given his previous role as a major architect of the Iraq war when he served as the No. 2 official at the Pentagon.

It also ends a potential political headache for President Bush, who had named Wolfowitz to the post.

The Wolfowitz flap had been seen as a growing liability that threatened to tarnish the poverty-fighting institution's reputation and hobble its ability to persuade countries around the world to contribute billions of dollars to provide financial assistance to poor nations.

The bank "needs to rebuild it credibility immediately, regain its focus and devote its full attention to its clients," said the bank's staff association, which, along with former bank officials, aid groups and some Democratic politicians, had wanted Wolfowitz to resign.

The White House said it would move quickly to name a new candidate to run the bank.

Bush "will have a candidate to announce soon, allowing for an orderly transition that will have the World Bank refocused on its mission," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.

Bush's selection must be approved by the World Bank's board.

Among those mentioned as a possible replacement for Wolfowitz were former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who was Bush's former trade chief; Robert Kimmitt, the No. 2 at the Treasury Department; Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson; former Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa; Sen. Richard Lugar (news, bio, voting record), R-Ind., and Stanley Fischer, who once worked at the International Monetary Fund and is now with the Bank of Israel.

A White House official wouldn't comment on possible candidates, saying "any reporting on potential names is pure speculation."

The 185-nation bank, created in 1945 to rebuild Europe after World War II, provides more than $20 billion a year for projects such as building dams and roads, bolstering education and fighting disease. The bank's centerpiece program offers interest-free loans to the poorest countries.

By tradition, the bank has been run by an American. The Bush administration keenly wanted to keep that decades-old practice intact as it dealt with the Wolfowitz situation. The United States is the bank's largest shareholder and its biggest financial contributor.

Paulson, who will work with the president on finding a successor to Wolfowitz, said, "I will consult my colleagues around the world as we search for a leader." That suggested a more consultive approach to finding a new head of the bank.

Bush's selection of Wolfowitz in 2005 for the bank post had stunned Europeans and some other countries. Europeans were upset that Bush would tap someone so closely associated with the Iraq war. After the pay controversy erupted a month ago, Europeans led the charge for Wolfowitz to resign.

Wolfowitz waged a vigorous battle to save his job and maintained he had acted in good faith. He was all but forced out, however, by the finding of a special bank panel that he violated conflict-of-interest rules in his handling of Riza's pay package.

Until near the end, the Bush administration had professed support for Wolfowitz. But in a shift on Tuesday, the White House indicated for the first time it was open to his departure. It was the same day Wolfowitz made a last-ditch plea to save his job before the board.

After days of negotiations, Wolfowitz got what he wanted — an acknowledgment from the bank's board that he did not bear sole responsibility for the conflict-of-interest furor surrounding his handling of the pay package.

"He assured us that he acted ethically and in good faith in what he believed were the best interests of the institution, and we accept that," the board said in its announcement of Wolfowitz's resignation.

The bank board said it was clear that a number of people had erred in reviewing Riza's pay package. The board's statement made no mention of any financial arrangements related to Wolfowitz's departure, nor did it speak to Riza's future.

For his part, Wolfowitz said he was pleased that the board "accepted my assurance that I acted ethically and in good faith in what I believed were the best interests of the institution, including protecting the rights of a valued staff member."

Now, he said, it was in the best interest of the board that its mission "be carried forward under new leadership."

___

On the Net:

World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org

Afam:


The 185-nation bank, created in 1945 to rebuild Europe after World War II, provides more than $20 billion a year for projects such as building dams and roads, bolstering education and fighting disease. The bank's centerpiece program offers interest-free loans to the poorest countries.

The United States is the bank's largest shareholder and its biggest financial contributor.

i guess it is a case of 'he who plays the piper dictates the tone'.

Frankly I don't understand it too, even if America is the biggest financier why will such appointment be the sole decision of President of America.

They have to either liberalize the selection process or change the name of the Bank, because for me there is nothing world about this bank.

Whatever is the history behind it has to change now. so that if the US President is economically inept as Bush is right now, world bank suffers it too??

Just look at Wolfwitz, from defence to President of World bank.

I will not be suprised if George Bush names Donald Rumsfeld as the next President of Workd Bank, because he thinks of nothing else other security and war.

beggars have no choice. the LDCs going round cap in hand for free/cheap funds should be prepared to take all kinds of sh*t.

@Olowoaiye

I hope you are not calling My great -growing at an annual rate more than the American economy, owing less than the damned leviathan and having a better balance of trade than Uncle Sam, VIBRANT EMERGING ECONOMY an ldc _{lesser developed economy?}. Bro, how low you punch !

all those indices belong in the textbook. we dont see them in the empty stomachs & pockets of the people.

@Olowoaiye

With no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you start the race.
-Marcus Garvey _{A better man than me, I defer.}

Give a man a fish you will feed him for a day, teach a man to fish? Aha

ijogbon:

@Olowoaiye

I hope you are not calling My great -growing at an annual rate more than the American economy, owing less than the damned leviathan and having a better balance of trade than Uncle Sam, VIBRANT EMERGING ECONOMY an ldc _{[b][b]lesser developed economy?[/[/b]b]}. Bro, how low you punch !

Sierra Leone has faster growth rates and lesser debt burden than any member of the OECD,does that mean that their economy is not lesser developed?

Their is an arrangement under which the head of the World Bank is determined by the US,while that of the IMF is determined by the EU.The posts are zoned that way

@Mckren,

They have to either liberalize the selection process or change the name of the Bank, because for me there is nothing world about this bank.

I hope you will lead the charge to liberalize each country's contribution as well.

Whatever is the history behind it has to change now. so that if the US President is economically inept as Bush is right now, world bank suffers it too?

Don't you think you are just engaging in a smear campaign? Why can't we just discuss issues without getting into name-calling? The economically inept President you talked about has maintained a steady job growth during the time of war while the stock exchange is breaking its own record almost every week. More economic immigrants are coming into the U.S. more than ever and yet you could make such a statement. Please try to separate your bias from facts.

TayoD:

@Mckren,

I hope you will lead the charge to liberalize each country's contribution as well.

Don't you think you are just engaging in a smear campaign? Why can't we just discuss issues without getting into name-calling? The economically inept President you talked about has maintained a steady job growth during the time of war while the stock exchange is breaking its own record almost every week. More economic immigrants are coming into the U.S. more than ever and yet you could make such a statement. Please try to separate your bias from facts.

from another topic

@Mckren,


Quote
Well resignation is a personal decision, it is not the fault of Nigerians that a public official has refused to resign.

There is nothing personal about the resignation. He was pressured into resignation by the board of Directors.


Quote
It is like blaiming Nigerians that Atiku refused to resign when Jacob Zuma did.

The case between El Rufai and Atiku are way different. Atiku was elected and can only resign if the electorate pressure him to do so. El-Rufai on the other hand is a political appointee and if those who appointed him have any moral standards, they should have either pressured him to resign or fire him immediately.

You have simply declared war against Mckren, He seems to be picking wholes in my comments for the sake of it.
Well I always know about your passion about Goerge Bush and America. If you want a head on debate I can give you one provided it does not degenerate to abuses because that's what you always do.

@T-Man

I dont know if you are Sierra Leonian but I am not. I am Nigerian and Yoruba with a very proud heritage. I was taught - Oun a ni la'n gbe laru ge (It is that which we have we are proud of).

My point was that Nigeria is in no way an LDC (Lesser developed economy).
We are very well secure in our economic segment as AN EMERGING ECONOMY. A Member of the SANE group of economies we contributed in giving Africa about a 7% growth figure in 2006. By the way SANE = South Africa, Angola, Nigeria and Egypt incase you were thinking the S meant Sierra Leone.

Nigerias' economy is classed with that of Brasil, Russia, India and China (The BRIC group of Economies) and well entrenched EMERGING economies.

I am not comparing Nigeria to America in all facets just those I highlighted. So please please please never never compare Nigerias' economy to that of a LESSER DEVELOPED COUNTRY it is abhorring.

Thank you.

Ngozi can never be World Bank President,or IMF Chair!The posts are for Americans and Europeans respectively!

@Mckren,

You have simply declared war against Mckren, He seems to be picking wholes in my comments for the sake of it.
Well I always know about your passion about Goerge Bush and America.  If you want a head on debate I can give you one provided it does not degenerate to abuses because that's what you always do.

Don't patronise yourself. When I see errors and I feel like, I correct them. This has nothing to do about picking holes in your statement.

My allegiance is to the truth and not to a personality or country.  I do not sacrifice the truth on the altar of political correctness.  It is obvious from your statement above that you are the one involved in name-calling and character assasination.  Rather than provide facts and deal with the topic at hand, you went on a tangent to smear a man who occupies a position you can only dream of and never attain.  I do not have time to discuss people but issues and only if I choose to get involved.

However, I still need to inform you that you have the liberty to continue with your smear campaign if it makes you happy. Who am I to deny you of your pleasurable indulgence!!

Truth has been bastardized to the extent that anyone can claim to stand by the truth when in the real sense such a person has been caught red handed lying.

Truth has been bastardized to the extent that anyone can claim to stand by the truth when in the real sense such a person has been caught red handed lying.

What can we expect from a pathological liar but another shit-load of lies. I am not too surprised because political correctness and lies go hand in hand.

But wait a minute, this _a[b]fam[/b]ed liar is under the illusion of being born with all knowledge with no form of influence from parents, friends or teachers, and as such his lies may appear as the truth to him. Perhaps the reason why he has not been influenced by teachers is because he never went to school. What a classic example of humpty dumpty - all head but no brains, a waste of cranial space!!

To present facts to substantiate his position is alien to him because in his disillusioned world, what he says is right irrespective of the facts and the truth on ground. He is so quick to forget that he just had to retract his recent lies targeted at my person, but of course, it is too much to expect him to learn from his past mistakes!

And what a coward to address me without saying my name.

TayoD:

@Mckren,

Don't patronise yourself. When I see errors and I feel like, I correct them. This has nothing to do about picking holes in your statement.

My allegiance is to the truth and not to a personality or country.  I do not sacrifice the truth on the altar of political correctness.  It is obvious from your statement above that you are the one involved in name-calling and character assasination.  Rather than provide facts and deal with the topic at hand, you went on a tangent to smear a man who occupies a position you can only dream of and never attain.  I do not have time to discuss people but issues and only if I choose to get involved.

However, I[b] still need to inform you that you have the liberty to continue with your smear campaign if it makes you happy[/b]. Who am I to deny you of your pleasurable indulgence!!

First of all I simply don't know why I will dream of being American President when I am not American. I am not even trying to be an American let alone being their President. So God knows what you are getting at.

After reading your post I got so confused and had to ask one of my friends if he knows whether George Bush has a son or member of cabinet by name TayoD. Indications showed that there is none, so why you are taking the whole thing personal is what I simply can't figure out.

However, if directly or indirectly you are in his cabinet. Probably you are his Virtual Secretary of States _{let me borrow Iyke-D's terms} then I can tell you, you are at the wrong place. You better need to go and convince Americans.
George Bush has been a great President and his party lost the mid-term elections.
A fact which has made him a lame duck President, his government has been abusing the VETO power because non of his policies are acceptable by the house and thus Americans.

I think I made a decision in the past never to reply your post because of your attitude. The world we live in is full of troubles, internet for me is a souce of happiness and to sometimes learn a lot about the world arround us without stress. Making enemies and engaging in war of words is obviously not what I will sit behind my computer to do.
You can go on abusing me as you want but I am sorry you simply wont get that from me.

Because America is the KING OF THE WORLD

@Mckren,

First of all I simply don't know why I will dream of being American President when I am not American. I am not even trying to be an American let alone being their President. So God knows what you are getting at.

After reading your post I got so confused and had to ask one of my friends if he knows whether George Bush has a son or member of cabinet by name TayoD. Indications showed that there is none, so why you are taking the whole thing personal is what I simply can't figure out.

I think I made a decision in the past never to reply your post because of your attitude. The world we live in is full of troubles, internet for me is a souce of happiness and to sometimes learn a lot about the world arround us without stress. Making enemies and engaging in war of words is obviously not what I will sit behind my computer to do.
You can go on abusing me as you want but I am sorry you simply wont get that from me.

That is the problem with you guys. Any topic provides an opportunity to smear people and neglect the issues raised. Can't you dissociate personalities from issues? It took your very first post on this thread to start your smear campaign and you turned me into an enemy just because I pointed it out to you. Can't you see the direction you are leading this thread based on such unwarranted attack on perhaps, the most powerful man in the world? I clicked on this topic hoping to hear arguments for and against the qualifications of Okonjo-Iweala but what I came across is another smear campaign by the usual people.  Don't you get tired of it?

Addressing the things you said, you claimed someone has declared war on you.  Doesn't that smirk of  personaliy issues? That someone opposes your point of view does not mean they have personal issues with you, and I guess your tendency to interprete disagreement for war is what makes you attack every personality that does or say something different from you. Please grow up Mckren. I learnt long ago that it is only people with small minds that discuss about people.

Ngozi can never be World Bank President,or IMF Chair!The posts are for Americans and Europeans respectively!

You are so right. The WB and IMF are simply an American & European show as far the president goes.

lets all support 'kondi' with prayers. She might make history again.

typical naija, this woman is good enough for world bank president but not our minister of finance!!!

she may not make it because of the politics involed, but i know 100% that she is fit for the post.

I wonder why she was droped as the minister of finance, she did  quite a marvelous job in the finance ministry. she was considered for the post of  UN vice president but she wasnt endorsed by OBJ and now there are speculation that she might even be considered for the position of the head of the world bank and yet the OBJ administration saw nothing good in her but to drop her after her tremendious contribution to the finance ministry, ironically people like Professor Borishade are still hanging on as ministers despite their dismal performances in their previous ministries, i wonder when things will get right here in Nigeria

TayoD:

What can we expect from a pathological liar but another shit-load of lies. I am not too surprised because political correctness and lies go hand in hand.

But wait a minute, this _afam[/b]ed liar is under the illusion of being born with all knowledge with no form of influence from parents, friends or teachers, and as such his lies may appear as the truth to him. Perhaps the reason why he has not been influenced by teachers is because he never went to school. What a classic example of humpty dumpty - all head but no brains, a waste of cranial space!!

To present facts to substantiate his position is alien to him because in his disillusioned world, what he says is right irrespective of the facts and the truth on ground. He is so quick to forget that he just had to retract his recent lies targeted at my person, but of course, it is too much to expect him to learn from his past mistakes!
[b]
And what a coward to address me without saying my name.

Just saw this. Na wahoooo.

So this boy is now able to know when he is being refered to, a positive development in my opinion.

Mixing unintelligence, stupidity and foolishness together is not good atall.

The last statement (in bold) refers, can't remember seeing any audio feature on this forum so there is no way I could have said your name. Your olodoness no get part 2.

@Afam,

Just saw this. Na wahoooo.

I guess the cheap drugs you've been taking have knocked you senseless to notice.

So this boy is now able to know when he is being refered to, a positive development in my opinion.

Your cowardice keeps you from addressing people by name but we can clearly see through your shenanigan. Besides, any one not cursed with an empty brain as yours will understand your reference to the "truth" can only be in response to the only post that has mentioned the tuth thus far - mine!

Mixing unintelligence, stupidity and foolishness together is not good at all.

A classic personal confession of a sobering addict to cheap drugs!

The last statement (in bold) refers, can't remember seeing any audio feature on this forum so there is no way I could have said your name. Your olodoness no get part 2.

Whatever! Keep hiding your head in the sand! Anyone with some sense understands what I wrote!

I have nothing against that.
Do you?

it was on the news that there was a speculation that Tony Blair would take over from wolfortz when he steps down as British prime minister. Bush has confirmed this morning that he'd prefer an American citizen on the job, and as you already know, the US gets to make the important decision about the holder of the position. those saying that IWEALA was being considered are only spreading false rumors (though i'll be proud to see her on the job0

TayoD:

@Afam,
I guess the cheap drugs you've been taking have knocked you senseless to notice.

Your cowardice keeps you from addressing people by name but we can clearly see through your shenanigan. Besides, any one not cursed with an empty brain as yours will understand your reference to the "truth" can only be in response to the only post that has mentioned the tuth thus far - mine!

A classic personal confession of a sobering addict to cheap drugs!
Whatever! Keep hiding your head in the sand! Anyone with some sense understands what I wrote!

On the contrary I prefer not to put down names of people that are habitual liars and shameless things.

Let me have your surname as I need to buy 2 dogs, I will use your username for one and your surname for the other. Deal?

@Afam,

On the contrary I prefer not to put down names of people that are habitual liars and shameless things.

Do you know who the liar is? Take a look in the mirror and you'll find one staring down into your ugly face!

Let me have your surname as I need to buy 2 dogs, I will use your username for one and your surname for the other. Deal?

Your lack of home training is so evident to all. I want to believe that you were taught but your empty head never allowed you to receive training from elders. I guess all the rabbied dogs you've bought and eaten is what is making you bark like one all over the world wide web.

Shameless animal.  All you need say is that you have no clue of the topic at hand and go learn from those who can train dogs like you.  At least, a quiet fool can be mistaken to be wise.

jenny2007:

it was on the news that there was a speculation that Tony Blair would take over from wolfortz when he steps down as British prime minister. Bush has confirmed this morning that he'd prefer an American citizen on the job, and as you already know, the US gets to make the important decision about the holder of the position. those saying that IWEALA was being considered are only spreading false rumors (though i'll be proud to see her on the job0

Tony Blair is too big for that job, he cant decend that low. He can not be an appointee of Bush.

McKren:

Tony Blair is too big for that job, he can't decend that low. He can not be an appointee of Bush.

With your "towering intellect",even Idi Amin will not appoint you