Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

Funsho Arogundade
Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, on New Year’s Eve caused a spike at the Nigerian stock market as she had the honour of closing the year 2015’s trade at the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos.

At the special session of the Lagos Bourse, the stock market responded positively to the presence of the Nollywood actress on the floor with the All-Share index moved up greatly by more than three per cent.

Stockbrokers had noted that the last day of the year was for celebration and only a big entertainer in the status of Omotola could put them in the right mood.

For some traders who came in late to the trading floor, it was a great surprise to see the market on the rise and the bigger surprise with Omotola on the floor.

“We saw oil and gas sector going up. We also saw industrial sector going up, that’s where Dangote Cement is. We also saw the banking sector, particularly the First Bank Holding Company went up to over N5. That stock has been trading for less than N5 for quite some time. So, this is a positive development,” Charles Fakrogha, a stockbroker said.

While sharing her experience on the floor of the Stock Exchange, Omotola said it was a great, learning experience for her and hope her other colleagues will get same opportunity as well.

“This will be a good exposure for us. Since we are coming from the creative and entertainment sector, many of us may not know much about the potentials of the capital market,” Omotola said.

She however admitted that given what she learned while at the Bourse, she’s ready to bring her film and entertainment company for listing at the NSE.

“I have already discussed with the NSE executives and we are going to work closely and together. And as soon as I am ready and as early as possible, I am going to bring my company here. I didn’t know that it was possible initially but now that I know it is possible, we shall be part of it,” she added.

Activities on Thursday, the New Year’s eve, marked the last trade on securities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange for 2015.