NEWS
Coca-Cola Takes Five Lucky Winners to 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Five lucky winners have emerged in the just concluded Coca-Cola Nigeria ‘Believe and Win’ Under the Crown Promotion. The winners will have a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience of an all-expense paid trip to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It was gathered that this promotion builds on continued efforts to delight and refresh consumers across the country with rewards worth over N400m comprising instant airtime winnings across all mobile networks.
The five winners, according to a statement from CCNL, were selected from each region of the country – Lagos, West, East, Central, and North regions, through live draws in Lagos under the watchful eyes of officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commissions (NLRC), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), both of which applauded the company on its willingness to give back to consumers through football.
Congratulating the winners, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Alfred Olajide, urged them to make the most of the opportunity while enjoying the live action at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The first winner unveiled was Salihu Usman Wavah, a trader from the North region. Reacting to his winning, the unassuming Salihu was overwhelmed with emotions, during his official unveiling at the Coca-Cola Nigeria Office in Lagos. He described his winning as an opportunity of a lifetime. He said that his initial thought when he was notified was the incredulity of the entire situation as it seemed unbelievable.
In his words; “I want to thank God for this opportunity, I feel elated and proud. I appreciate Coca-Cola for this great privilege. When I first received the call, I was pleasantly surprised but skeptical, however, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt when the calls kept coming in from Coca-Cola. It’s been such a dream come true for me”.
The second winner under the promotion was Emordi Victor Olise, a final-year university student from the Central region, who decided to participate in the promotion with no particular expectation in mind. According to him, the promo initially became real to him when he received airtime after he dialed the code under the crown and subsequently, he could not contain his joy when he got the call from Coca-Cola during the live draw.
“When I got the first airtime, I said to myself that this is real, and I kept trying. Some days later, I received a call and was asked if I participated in the Coca-Cola Believe and Win Promo, I answered affirmatively. I was asked further questions and was thereafter confirmed to be a winner. I was very happy because I never thought that it was going to be so simple”, Emordi recounted.
The third winner, Emeka Philip Mordi, however, related a different experience. The businessman from the East region explained that he was grateful for the rare privilege. According to Mordi, his daughter encouraged him by religiously making the entries on his behalf through his preferred phone line. He maintained that his daughter had so much confidence in the promo and the company, Coca-Cola, that each time they shared a Coca-Cola beverage at home, she would tell him to dial the codes under the crown with his phone.
“My daughter consistently encouraged me to participate, saying, ‘Daddy you must go to Qatar’. A few days later, I got a call from an unknown number and was hesitant to answer but I picked up the call on the second ring. I was asked some questions, and to my utmost surprise, I was told that I had won a trip to Qatar”, he said amidst smiles.
The fourth winner was a young woman, Adefunke Ademokoya from the West region, who had decided to enter the promo for fun and the possibility of winning airtime. She indicated that she was not initially enthused about possible winnings as her family had dissuaded her from falling prey to scammers. However, her doubts were dispelled in the days that followed as she was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Coca-Cola on her winning a trip to Qatar.
“This will be my first time traveling out of the country and I’m so glad that this is an all-expense paid trip. I’m sure that I’m going to have a lot of fun when I get to Qatar to watch the World Cup”, she excitedly remarked.
An enthusiastic Taiwo Olatunji was the fifth winner of an all-expense paid trip to Qatar under the ‘Belief and Win’ promo. He explained that one of his friends introduced the promo to him while they were enjoying a Coca-Cola beverage together. On his first attempt, he received airtime after dialing the code and this first winning provided the necessary inspiration to try again.
“The day I got a call from Coca-Cola would always be a day to remember as even my neighbors knew that something good had happened to me. I was very excited and I cannot wait to be in Qatar live. As a football enthusiast, I know that I’m going to have a wonderful time over there, all thanks to Coca-Cola and their amiable team”, he said passionately.
As official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup, the Coca-Cola Believe and Win Under the Crown promotion reflects Coca-Cola’s continued support for the football passion point across the country and a follow-up to other football-related activities as the 2022 FIFA World Cup games begin.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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