CLAIM:
Tinubu is the first African president to Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell
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On September 20, 2023, President Tinubu rang the closing bell of Nasdaq at Times Square in New York as part of the ringing ceremony, which was aimed at attracting investors to promote Nigeria’s economic image on the global stage.
The event was part of proceedings at the Executive Business Dialogue organized by the United States Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, and Nigerian Investment Promotion Council.
The business dialogue is part of events in the Non-Deal Roadshow planned by the NGX Group to support the new administration’s efforts in re-igniting the interest of foreign investors in the Nigerian economy.
In a statement after the event special adviser to the Nigerian President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the first African President to ring the Nasdaq closing bell.
Tinubu, while performing the task, was in the company of some Nigerian business leaders and officials of the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
The president also used the opportunity, presented by the historic moment, to advance his foreign investment push in front of financial markets at the famous stock exchange.
The press statement was titled: ‘President Tinubu Becomes First Ever African Leader To Ring Closing Bell At NASDAQ; Woos Large Scale Investment At The Nigeria-U.S Executive Business Roundtable’.
The statement was widely reported by the Nigerian media.
VERIFICATION
Internet searches revealed that Tinubu was not the first African leader to ring the NASDAQ closing bell. Jakaya Kikwete, former president of Tanzania, is the first African leader to ring the bell.
Kikwete, First Ladies, and Health Ministers rang the closing bell of NASDAQ in 2011, as announced by NASDAQ in a notification to the public dated 2011 with the title, “President Kikwete of Tanzania, First Ladies and Health Ministers, and Global Health Leaders to Ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell.’
CONCLUSION
The claim that President Bola Tinubu was the first African leader to ring the NASDAQ closing bell is FALSE.
By Dare Akogun
