Ten years after its European edition honoured her as one of world’s “Heroes”, TIME magazine has named the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to the 2014 TIME 100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
The Minister is part of the “Leaders” category of the respected list, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping; US Secretary of State, John Kerry; Russian President Vladmir Putin; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others. Alhaji Alike Dangote; former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; Chair of the US Federal Reserve Board, Janet Yellen and German ChancellorAngela Merkel were among those honoured in other categories of the award.
In an accompanying profile, respected global activist and founder of ONE campaign, Bono paid tribute to the Minister’s contribution to achieving the historic debt deal with the Paris Club and the fight against corruption. He also lauded her for her work as Finance Minister, stating that “she’s got one of the toughest jobs on the planet”.
Bono said of NOI: “Humour and joy spill out of her. She is “fiercely intelligent; everyone wants her to work with them. I couldn’t be prouder to work for her.”
In her reaction, Dr Okonjo-Iweala expressed her delight and humility at the honour, following so soon after the Rockefeller Leadership Award which she got recently.
“I am grateful to God for his blessings and I appreciate the privilege and honour of working for my country. I am thankful to my teams that worked hard to help me achieve. I appreciate the support and prayers of millions of Nigerians and friends around the world. This is vastly encouraging”.
The full list and related tributes appear in the May 5 issue of TIME, available on newsstands and tablets on Friday, April 25, and now at time.com/time100.
Now in its 11th year, the list recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
“I am grateful to God for his blessings and I appreciate the privilege and honour of working for my country. I am thankful to my teams that worked hard to help me achieve. I appreciate the support and prayers of millions of Nigerians and friends around the world. This is vastly encouraging”.
The full list and related tributes appear in the May 5 issue of TIME, available on newsstands and tablets on Friday, April 25, and now at time.com/time100.
Now in its 11th year, the list recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
By Paul C Nwabuikwu
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