Presumably, one of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile network, Airtel yesterday presented Le 200 million (200,000,000 Leones) to the lucky winners of the just concluded ‘bomba reloaded’ raffle draw.
However, each winner was presented with a Le 100,000 million cheque.
Speaking at the Airtel’s Hill Station headquarters Conference Hall where the presentation eventuated, the luck winners, Vahid Jalloh and Alahji Koroma narrated what it felt like winning.
Vahid Jalloh, who is the National Statistics Officer of the Bahia religious group, said he was reluctant to go and witness the draw at Lumley Beach on Sunday but eventually went. He explained that when he saw his number on the projector screen it was unbelievable. “I patted my way through the crowd to have a proper look, when I saw it was my mobile number I rushed up the stage. When the number was verified I fainted.”
He continued, “Since I was declared a winner last Sunday night, I became restless. Since Sunday I was unable to sleep properly, up till now I’m unable to eat well. I often lose my appetite whenever I think about my prize.”
With admiration he said, “Airtel is real, I never thought I’ll win the draw but I did for real; Airtel is real indeed,” he said.
The next lucky winner, Alhaji Koroma, who is a high school pupil at the Government Rokel Secondary School, explained that his grandmother was more eager to win the draw. “Every evening she would top-up both our phones and sit in front of the TV to watch the draw.”
He narrated that “on Sunday I recharged my phone with Le 3,000. I bought data bundle and started browsing; while browsing I received a call that I’ve won Le 100 million. I thought it was a prank,I told my grandmother that I’ve been informed that I’ve won the draw. I was in doubt till a team of Airtel staff came and collected me and took me to Lumley Beach where the draw had commenced. I felt like a president with all these police guarding me to the stage.
I have been a fervent subscriber of Airtel despite persuasions by my friends to join other networks. I will forever remain a fervent subscriber,” he assured.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs, Moijueh Kaikai said Airtel over the years had been a key development partner. “Every moment we cried to Airtel, the [company] had responded positively”- whether it is for the ebola fight or to aid ebola survivors or even to assist flood victims Airtel will respond positively.
The minister advised the guardian of Alhaji that the money he won is not a small amount and that they must ensure that it is used judiciously towards his education. “The money he won would be enough till he completed his first degree,” he emphasized.
He cautioned “you might think the amount is huge but if not used judiciously within a year everything would have disappeared.”
Thursday February 04, 2016
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