Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Honored As African Finance Minister of the Year

Dr Okonjo Iweala with her husband Dr. Ikemba Iweala.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been Nigeria's Finance Minister for almost a decade combined, both under President Obasanjo and now President Goodluck Jonathan. More recently, she has also been the Coordinating Minister for the Economy along with her finance protfolio.

The hardworking woman has been named African Finance Minister of the year 2014 by leading investment & international group, African Investor. Okonjo-Iweala was announced winner yesterday October 10th from a shortlist which included Finance Ministers of Kenya, Angola, Rwanda, Liberia, Seychelles, Zambia and Kingdom of Morocco.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said;

"I am delighted and honored to have been picked as African Finance Minister of the Year 2014. Africa has come a long way from decades of economic stagnation to steady growth that has seen the continent make a huge leap for the better. In Nigeria, we are marching on. The building blocks for a greater future are being laid. I want to thank you for this recognition and I want to thank my President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his constant support and my team at home, without which the job would have been impossible. Finally, I encourage every one of us to participate in the growth and development of our countries and our continent. Together, we will make it."

Okonjo Iweala receiving her award

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ( winner of African Finance Minister of the Year) and Mr. Bob Diamond Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Merchant Capital, ( winner of International Business Leader of the Year) 

PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE/THISDAY