Princewill Ekwujuru

For retiree Chinedu Egemba and other four winners of five Peugeot 407 Executive salon cars, courtesy, Access Bank’s Take the Lead promo organised to reward  holders of  the bank’s Access Advantage account.

For them, particularly Egemba, a Customs Officer  retired in 2007 by the Obasanjo administration, fate smiled on him, even though he’s  not been ridiculed by the pangs of poverty. Life took a new turn for him when on September 3, 2010, he and other winners were present at the Ligali Ayorinde premises of Access Bank to redeem their prizes of Executive 407 Peugeot cars.

On the fateful day the draw was held, Egemba was standing at the bus-stop waiting to catch a bus to his destination, when a call came through from the venue of the raffle draw, prompted by a computer at the headquarter of the bank at  the presence of Mrs. Ngozi Obidike, Chief Surveillance and Enforcement Officer of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB) Official.
The discussion that ensued over the telephone when the computer picked Egemba as winner in the contest depicts a man who was not oblivious of the antics of fraudsters.
The discussion however ran thus; Access bank: Am I on to Mr Chinedu. Steve. Egemba?. Egemba: Yes speaking. Access Bank; What do you do for a living?. Egemba; I am a pensioner.

Access bank:Do you own an account with Access bank?.  Egemba: Yes.  Access bank: Where is your branch located?. Egemba: Abuja.  What type of Account?. Egemba. I know I have an account with Access, but I do not exactly know the type. Access Bank; Where are you presently?.  Egemba: Am at Ikotun busstop waiting to board a bus to my destination.

Access Bank; Is it possible for your to come to Access bank Headquarter in V/Island? Egemba; It’s not possible now.
Access Bank; Well, “this is to inform you that you have been picked as one of the winners of our Peugeot 407 Executive in the on-going Take the Lead  promo.

After the discussion egemba was dumbfounded. Egemba at the prize presentation ceremony said that the new car is nothing compared to his previous car. He stated, I will never walk or wait for commercial bus again. “Access bank has really changed my life.” He enthused.

For Festus Kodili Thomas, a contractor, who is  due to get married in Octrober 2010, was full of excitement when he was picked as one of the five winners. His words, “this means I will be wedding with a brand new car.”