When I became finance minister, they called me Okonjo-Wahala - or 'Trouble Woman.' It means 'I give you hell.' But I don't care what names they call me. I'm a fighter; I'm very focused on what I'm doing, and relentless in what I want to achieve, almost to a fault. If you get in my way, you get kicked.
Interpretation
This quote reflects resilience and determination in the face of adversity and criticism.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasizes her strength and focus as a finance minister, illustrating how she embraces the challenges and negative labels thrown at her. Her self-identification as a 'fighter' demonstrates a robust commitment to her goals, showcasing the importance of resilience in achieving success, regardless of obstacles or societal labels.
In practice
This quote can inspire someone facing criticism in their career to remain focused on their path.
I'm trying to tell you that there's a new wave on the continent. A new wave of openness and democratization in which, since 2000, more than two-thirds of African countries have had multi-party democratic elections. Not all of them have been perfect, or will be, but the trend is very clear.
The best way to help Africans today is to help them to stand on their own feet. And the best way to do that is by helping create jobs.
When you save the life of anyone, a farmer, a teacher, a mother, they are contributing productively into the economy.
Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream, is even smarter economics.
I felt Nigeria didn't have to succumb to the image of being a corrupt country; we didn't have to let the economy stagnate.
I know what it means to go to the stream to fetch water... what it means when people are poor and don't have enough to eat. It's not enough to say you know about poverty. You have to live it.
Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else.
The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.
I'm William Wallace, and the rest of you will be spared. Go back to England and tell them... Scotland is free!
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
If you don't stand your ground, then all that happens is people push you backwards.
Among many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, "The cannibals! you will be eaten by cannibals!" At last I replied, "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms."
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