By Charles Komolu
FOR the poor, driving through Lekki/Ajah Express Way only reminds them of their fate. There are also those who curse the rich and still wish they could be counted among the residents of the neighbourhood.
The magnificent structures and the calibre of its residents gives a larger than life image for this high brow area on Victoria Island. Even a first time visitor may not be bothered by the stress of the usual traffic, as a result of the serenity of this neighbourhood.
Mrs Margaret Okiriola...at where she sells fish
While this reporter was still savouring the light traffic came a voice:”This is the road.” And the journey to Ajah Ilaje began. The houses could pass for those in slums. One could not but wonder if this is the same neighbourhood of the affluent.
But your guess may be as good as mine. It is a slum in a high brow area. It may not require much to know that poverty reigns supreme here. Located beside the Atlantic, Ajah Ilaje’s is home to many people whose means of livelihood is uncertain.
And for Mr and Mrs Victor Okiriola residing in the neighbourhood, where the next meal will come from is now certain-thanks to Fidelity Bank. They no longer tell tales.
Rather they share their success story to whoever cares to listen. Today, they have joined the club of millionaires. The wife, Margaret, won one million naira in the on-going Fidelity Bank’s Save and Smile promo.
Narrating how she reluctantly “saved and smiled,” Margaret said, “I was at the place where I sell fish. They came and asked me to open an account with them. I was told that their bank is the best. I was reluctant because I was not used to operating bank account. I am just an ordinary fish seller. I doubted. But after some persuasion, I opened with one thousand naira.”
Sure, many would wonder how easy it was to convince this fish seller, whose pidgin English is very poor. Continuing, the mother of four, who hails from Ondo State, said, “I started saving without withdrawing. I saved up to sixty thousand naira since I opened the account. Even my husband and my daughter opened accounts as well.”
Narrating how the news that she had won in the promo came to her, she said, “When I received the text, I could not read because I don’t know how to read and write. I asked someone to read it for me. I did not believe because I know of a service provider that sends fraudulent messages. But I told my husband. He encouraged me to go, yet I was reluctant.”
Still saying how she could have remained poor in spite of her luck, the fish seller said: “The second call came and they said my prize would be given to someone else if I didn’t come to Kofo Abayomi. That was how I went.” She disclosed that she is going to use the money judiciously, adding, “I will open a small scale business. I will also build another shop where I can trade in other things. I believe this money has lifted us out of poverty.”
For the husband, who looks more excited than the actual winner, Fidelity has changed their lives.
According Okiriola, who was holding a shovel while fielding questions from this reporter, “I thank Fidelity.
She told me before she did it. I agreed that she should do it with my daughter (Opeluwa). I did not doubt the bank. Although we were banking with a micro finance bank, this is our first major account.”
Jesus Christ fished,walked on water,broke bread,fed thousands of hungry people with very little fish and bread, now God has set aside a treasure for this womans talents and tables of being blessed worthy of praise…..THE BIG CATCH—FISHWOMAN……
Give the glory to God, the giver of good gift and the one who can lift from poorverty into properity. Thanks also to Ecobank for their grass rrot marketing strategy. For the winner I give this advice. Give thanks always and prayerfully plan for this this money to grow and lift you higher. I avice go back to same bank and invest this money in a fixed deposit account for at least six months before duverting into other higher income invest ment.
More good luck. Hard work pays.
i may not be in NAIJA now! but i think my dream for Nigeria is coming true BY HIS GRACE!..watch dis space
congratulations to the winner
This is an encouraging sign considering the fraud associated with this type of sweepstakes all over the world. This is a good sign that Nigeria may be transformed during our generation. The private sector in Nigeria has lived up to their billings, i wish the public sector could follow the same footstep.
lets not loose hope on Nigeria. God is faithful and He will fight for the poor. Even when the country doesnt realise that the poor is amongst them, God will still fight I insist. God bless Nigeria. Amen.
This is unbelievable!
…but God has His own way of lifting poor people, because my question is why not people that deposit millions, look at, the life of this poor woman has completely changed with just initial deposit of N1000.
However, without being told Fidelity Bank is trying very much and not only trying they always keep their words because i have banked with them for 5years!
Many kudos to the Directors, Managements and Staff of Fidelity Bank.
Every time i read Nigerian newspaper my happy mood turns sad, because of massive fraud running from highest office to the last person. I am very happy to read this encouraging news. Thanks you Fidelity Bank. God bless you.
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This is a pleasant, heart-warming story considering we almost never get to hear good news from Nigeria. What is even more laudable is her bank – Fidelity – embarked on a program to nudge her type to develop saving and banking culture. Nigerians badly need to develop good banking culture. Also the fact that certainly, an unlikely person, like Mrs Okiriola, who had no “long legs” won, meant the bank’s promo was no fluke and winning process was unbiased.
Saving/banking is resource pooling. 1 million Nigerians who save N1000 a month would pool N1,000,000,000 – meaning [larger] capital that can be ploughed back into the economy through lending, investment etc.
Anyway, congrats Mrs Okiriola