Nigeria, July 14 -- The Nigerian House of Representatives has endorsed a former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to clinch the post of Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The lawmakers took the decision while adopting a motion to back the ex-managing director of the World Bank during Tuesday plenary.

The motion was sponsored by Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta), and was titled "In Support for Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)".

The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) had also endorsed the candidacy Mrs Iweala for the position.

The endorsement by the 15-member-state regional group is a boost to Mrs Okonjo-Iweala candi...