Sometime in October 2023, i decided to get a new phone ( I am not the type that goes for expensive phones )
Even my friends do yab me everytime that a man of my " status " , whatever that means should not be seen with " cheap phones "
The most expensive phone I've ever bought in my life was N75, 000 and they serve me perfectly well.
On this day i went to Slot ( Inside Ikeja Computer Village ) to get a phone since one of my two phones is having issues
For the records too , i purchase all my phones from Slot Computer Village Ikeja , if it's not from Slot i won't buy
While i was going through the phones , i realized that the prices of my number brand SAMSUNG were out of my reach.
A young lady at one of the stands beckoned on me to try itel phone.
I was a bit reluctant, but when she pushed me further i decided to give it a trial
After paying and the usual modalities of activation , i was in the process of walking out when she called me back and handed me a small coupon .
I asked what it was for , she requested i fill it , sir just write your name and phone number.
It is a promo we are " doing " for AFCON 2023
I told her i am not interested in such shams that have characterised the Nigerian market
She pressed further, " oga shebi na just your name and phone " e no cost you anything nah "
Reluctantly i filled it , thrust it into her hands and vamoosed.
I've not a lottery in my entire life , not even N500 recharge card.
Fast ward , two weeks ago , i was just driving into my compound when my phone rang ( unknown numbers which i hardly pick too )
I picked it , the first question the guy asked was " Is that Mr Chris Nwandu " , i said yes, i was waiting for his next statement before i slammed the phone on him , so many of us get those 419 calls daily
Ok Sir, my name is Preye , he continued, did you by any chance buy an itel phone recently, he asked.
Without even giving it a thought i said NO
He repeated the question again, sir , think back , did you buy an itel phone recently, it was then it dawned on me , i said YES and so what ?
He gently continued , sir can i ask you a second question, do you have a valid International Passport , i said Yes, he wanted to know the validity, i was uncomfortable with such question but I played along , wetin concern you with that i asked angrily , he patiently asked to answer the question
I told him.
The next thing he said shocked me , Congratulations sir , we are having a raffle draw now for the 2023 AFCON in Abidjan and yours has been picked
Na lie , this can't be true i said , he told me it was as clear as crystal.
He asked if i am on Instagram, i said yes.
Then sir, go to Itel Nigeria ( verified page ) not the fake ones , send us a message that you have just won and we shall take it from there
I quickly did and within 5 minutes i got a reply
I was asked to send my Passport biodata and my WhatsApp number to be added to the winners Group
Within 24 hours I received a return ticket and an all expenses 5 star trip to Cote d'ivoire without having a physical contact with their staff
The rest as they say is history
Other winners were also picked
The action of Itel Mobile Nigeria has rekindled my hope in the Nigerian Lottery System
Some credible organization still dey this country
Abeg make i enjoy this trip to the fullest
Thank You Itel Nigeria for this privilege
It has been a five star treatment so far
CKN is a renowned Journalist, UK Certified Arbitrator and Law Graduate
He Writes from Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire
22 / 01 / 2024
Pictures :This Morning, Few Hours To The Nigeria vs Guinea Bissau Match