14 Oct WATCH MANCHESTER UNITED PROMO: GLOBACOM REWARDS WINNERS AFTER NATIONAL LOTTERY REGULATORY COMMISSION

The Three winners who missed the trip to watch live match of Manchester United in Manchester, England after winning the promo have received financial rewards from Globacom following the intervention of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The three winners: Nathan Okororji, Samuel Adu and Joyce Makama were rewarded with Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) each after series of negotiations between the management of National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Globacom which lasted for nearly two years.

They were among the few Glo subscribers who emerged winners in the promo to watch Manchester United game in Manchester, England in 2011, but were denied entry visas by the British High Commission.

When the winners approached Globacom for compensation, since they could not make the trip, the GSM service provider refused, on the ground that the promotion had ended, saying that it was not their fault that they could not obtain visas.

However, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) took up the matter after it was referred to it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC had rightly observed that the activity was a promotional lottery which only the National Lottery Regulatory Commission has the mandate to regulate.

But after series of negotiations between the management of National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Globacom, the GSM service provider agreed to compensate the three winners with N500, 000.00 each. The drafts for the money were presented to the beneficiaries at the National Lottery Regulatory Commission headquarters in Abuja on August 21, 2013.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Adolphus Joe Ekpe congratulated NCC, Globacom and the winners for their cooperation during the time the matter lasted.

He commended the National Lottery Regulatory Commission officials for  resolving the matter amicably by making sure the winners were rewarded financially after missing the trip.

The DG said he believed in the growth of lottery industry, stating that the growth of the industry was for everyone. Ekpe said  the Commission has come to stay. He advised the winners to make judicious use of the money. 

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Enforcement and Compliance, Sajo Muhammed, as well as the Acting Director, Regulatory and Monitoring in the Commission, Prince Emmanuel Jeminiwa gave the detailed account of the matter, which they said started since 2011.

They said it was difficult convincing the management of Globacom to pay monetary compensation to the three winners since it was not part of the terms of the promotion. The officials said they were happy that, at the end of negotiations, the GSM operator agreed to reward the winners financially. 

During an interview, Prince Jeminiwa added that the Commission intervened in the mater to retain its integrity. He warned both lottery and potential lottery operators to regularize their activities with the Commission and always come to National Lottery Regulatory Commission for advice before embarking on any promotion. Jeminiwa stated that money from lottery is an intervention fund which can be disbursed to education, healthcare, sports, among others, for good causes.  

In his comment, Head of Marketing Division of Globacom, Abuja office, Mr. Vincent Okparaeke described the GSM service provider as a brand which always stood by its promise. Okparaeke, who represented Globacom at the event, said his organization holds its customers to high esteem and would always fulfill its promise whenever it organized any promotion.

Nathan Okororji, One of the Three winners, present at the event, commended the management of National Lottery Regulatory Commission for not only standing behind them during the period, but insisted that Globacom compensated them. He said, “Though, the matter took a long time, I am happy it is resolved amicably through the intervention of National Lottery Regulatory Commission.”

 By Bethrand Nwankwo