Okonjo-Iweala Receives The Prestigious Lord Byron Prize In Athens (Photo)

Posted by Thandiubani on Fri 20th Oct, 2023 - tori.ng

Stylianides added that the WTO boss is a source of hope and inspiration for women and men around the world.

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been honoured in Athens.

Okonjo was yesterday honoured by the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) with the prestigious Lord Byron Prize for her significant contributions to global society.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, in collaboration with the Academy of Athens, since 2021, annually awards the Lord Byron International Philhellenism Award to important personalities from the political, cultural, academic or business world.

After the award ceremony, which took place at the Academy of Athens, a dinner and a fireside chat were organised in honour of Okonjo-Iweala at the Athenian Club.

Mr Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, representing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, stated that Okonjo-Iweala’s life and work symbolise the best of humanism, ethics and principles which they value.

Stylianides added that the WTO boss is a source of hope and inspiration for women and men around the world.

“Tonight’s special ceremony reminds all of us that people like Dr Okonjo-Iweala are not only making history, but they help shape a better future for all of us,” Stylianides said.

Nigerian ambassador to Greece, Opunimi Akinkugbe, who was present at the ceremony, said it was an honour and a pleasure to welcome Okonjo-Iweala to Athens.

Ambassador Akinkugbe described Okonjo-Iweala as “a role model and a mentor not only for me personally, but also for countless women around the world.”

Esteemed guests at the ceremony included Konstantinos Fragkogiannis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Mitsotaki, Lana and Harry David, Yannis Katsaounis, Francis Antetokounpo.

Officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Athens were also present.

Delivering a lecture on “Trade and its Role in Environmental Sustainability” and accepting the Lord Byron International Prize from the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism in Athens. Great to be in the company of other laureates, Estonian Prime Minister @kajakallas and… pic.twitter.com/UKOVVwVI2p
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) October 19, 2023