The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has firmly denounced a “fake” message circulating on WhatsApp that purported to be from her, stating categorically that she does not use the platform’s broadcast feature.
In a strongly-worded statement on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the WTO chief addressed the issue of the misleading WhatsApp message, leaving no room for ambiguity.
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She stated, “It’s been brought to my attention that another fake message has been manufactured and is being forwarded on WhatsApp in my name, i want to make clear that this fake message is not from me. I am pleased that those who know me instantly recognized this as fake.”
Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude to friends who alerted her to the fake message, emphasizing her commitment to transparency and truth.
“Thanks to friends who brought this to my attention. Please be aware that I do not use WhatsApp broadcasts, thus anything forwarded to you purporting to be a WhatsApp message from me is FAKE,” she said.
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The WTO Director-General’s statement comes in the wake of growing concerns over the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms, which can have far-reaching consequences on public opinion and decision-making. Her decisive action serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information, especially in the age of digital communication.
In a stern warning to those responsible for manufacturing and disseminating such fake messages, Okonjo-Iweala declared, “This is a bad example of the use of social media. I want to warn those in the business of manufacturing FAKE messages, that they will not succeed.”
