British high commissioner to Nigeria joins Ngozimania fad with 20 second video dressed in ankara

BRITAIN'S high commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing has joined the teaming number of fans celebrating Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by not only joining the fans page #BeLikeNgoziChallenge but also producing a brief video dressed like her.

This morning, Dr Okonjo-Iweala formally assumed office as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), becoming the first ever African and first woman to do so. Her appointment has generated unprecedented excitement among Nigerians, who take pride in having produced the leader of a major global body.

An online fans page #BeLikeNgoziChallenge is now attracting members in their millions and in a show of solidarity, Ms Laing has joined it. She also produced a 20 second video in which she expressed her support for the new WTO boss, using the opportunity to tell all young girls that her appointment showed they could become whatever they aspired to be.

Dressed like Dr Okonjo-Iweala in a red ankara outfit with a matching head tie, Ms Liang used her brief message to express her solidarity with Nigeria. She also used it to drive home the message that the girl child should not live in a world in which her aspirations are curtailed.

In a video released via her verified Twitter handle, the British high commissioner said: “Hey, my sister Ngozi, we are so proud of you, the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation. Congratulations.  And all you young girls out there, see what you can achieve, you can be brilliant in your career but also be yourself.”