Bank makes fish seller instant millionaire

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.”