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Glo Subscribers Recount Lifetime Experience in Russia with Glo

Published

6 years ago

July 30, 2018

Eric

At times, some things happen and you never forget for the rest of your life. All through your growing up till old age, those experiences remain indelible to your heart, permanently etched in your memory till death. This could be the experience of some lucky Glo subscribers who were recently blessed by Nigeria’s biggest digital transformation network, Globacom with an all-expense paid trip to Russia, through the network’s Go Russia promo.

The lucky subscribers who have since gone to Russia and returned to Nigeria did not do anything to merit this largesse other than using N3,000 worth of airtime on voice calls on their Glo lines or expending N5000 on data and sending ‘Go’ to a special number to officially signify their interest in taking part in the promo.

For many of the winners, it was their first trip outside Nigeria, and for some who are frequent travelers, it was their first time of going to Russia. Most of them actually thought it was all a joke, a prank or a fraud attempt at first. But it later turned out to be real. Indeed, “it was real”, exclaimed one of the winners.

One even said he refused to pick his calls after the first call from Globacom telling him he had been selected to travel to Russia free of charge. It took consistent calls and authoritative information to convince him and the other doubting Thomases that it was no fluke. Good a thing they were convinced, because according to the British Author, Leonard Ravenhill, “The opportunity of a lifetime needs to be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity.” Otherwise, the lucky slot would have gone to other subscribers. Or, so it seems.

All the 22 winners were unanimous in their commendation of Globacom for taking them to Russia, which incidentally was hosting a major football tournament at that period.

Thus between June and July, 2018, 21 out of the 22 lucky subscribers that won were flown to Russia in four batches. One could not make it as a result of ill-health which kept him on sick bed at the time to travel.

The first batch of winners included Orewa Edwin Ehi from Port Harcourt, Aghaegbunem Marvel Chukwufumnaya from Abuja, Olugbokiki Mukail Omolola from Ogun State, Agbede Temidayo Bayodele from Ekiti State, Oladunjoye Joseph Babatunde from Ogun State, Kome Sunny Ikpeba from Delta State and Adeoye Adefisoye Simon from Oyo State.

After a send-off ceremony at the Mike Adenuga Towers Headquarters of Globacom in Lagos, the team departed Nigeria on the 13^th of June via Emirates Airlines to arrive Russia the next day. For the next five days, they visited different tourist attractions. They said they used the opportunity to watch the Nigeria-Croatia World Cup Group D match in Kaliningrad.

According to some members of the team, Orewa Edwin Ehi and Oladunjoye Babatunde, it was a fun-filled trip. Orewa said, “I enjoyed myself! Staying in Russia was fun. To travel to Russia with just three thousand naira? It is simply unbelievable! Even in my wildest dream, I did not imagine it. It is the grace of God. Sleeping in a deluxe hotel with a very big room to myself is a dream come true. If you are not using Glo yet, rush to get one and you can be a winner some day.”

Orewa has some words of advice for some misanthropists among us. “People who say Russians are racists should banish that thought as they were very friendly. Anytime, any day, when they see a Nigerian, they are fascinated. Some saw me put on green-white-green cap, they will say Nigerian? Please picture? Let me take picture with you. It was fun,” he explained.

Oladunjoye, also gleefully recounted that he had the best fun of his life. “In Russia, Globacom treated us like kings. It was a wow experience; the food was wow, the hotel accommodation was wow; the treatment was wow. Thanks Glo”.

The second draw produced six new winners. They included Osagie Edwin Isibor from Benin City, Mayowa Ibe Akinbode from Ijaiye in Abeokuta, Muyideen Olayiwola Disu from Isale Eko, Maxwell Igwegbe from Lugbe, Abuja, Popoola Abdulrafiu Olaide from Ijebu Igbo and Ebube Benson Uzoma from Imo State.

Osagie Edwin Isibor was ill and could not make the trip. But the other five winners left Lagos for Russia after a send-off ceremony on 23^rdJune. For the next six days, it was total fun for them as disclosed by the duo of Popoola Abdul Rafiu Olajide and Ebube Benson Uzoma.

“My experience in Russia was full of fun. I had a great time while there. We went on boat cruising, watched a live match in the VIP suite where we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, eating all kinds of food. We had a great time. Our meals were buffets! The hotels where we were lodged were simply heavenly, exclusive and deluxe! I can never forget our boat cruise to St. Peters the Great and the museum. I cannot thank Glo enough. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Glo!

Popoola could not end without this special invitation: “Nigerians who are not on the Glo network yet should quickly join the network to have a wonderful experience”, he invited all.

In her own comment, Ebube Uzoma, a 200 Level Public Administration student of the University of Nigeria and a basketball player, said it was a fun time she would remember forever. “Whatever we wanted was provided. In fact, I was treated like a President’s daughter. At a point, I even started purging because of too much of food! I really want to say thank Glo for this great opportunity. I want to implore everybody. Omo, if you do not have a Glo SIM, go buy o! It is a very good network!”

Next was batch three. Five new winners that were unveiled were Aseruoma Glory Aworiwo from Delta State, Ajayi Odunayo Felix from Oyo State, Ojokojo Ernest Paul from Delta State, Izuchukwu Kizito Alih from Enugu State and Oladele Oluseyi Adetokunbo from Osun State.

As usual, it was commendation galore from the returning winners who visited Russia between 30^th June and 4^th July. One of them, Oladele Oluseyi Adetokunbo, explained that, “Russia was absolutely everything I expected it to be. We had great weather, great food; the atmosphere was just electric. Everyone we met was very hospitable and it was an excellent experience. Our tour guide gave us a history of the Red Square. It was fantastic!”

Also narrating his experience, Kizito Izuchukwu Alih said, “I don’t know where to start from. If you are not there, it is very difficult to narrate the whole experience in just words. It’s too big to be described in mere words. We had fun. It was more than awesome. We are so, so grateful for the opportunity from Glo. I will never forget our visit to the Red Square, the stadium, the tube, the airport, the hotel where we stayed; in fact, everywhere in Moscow is so memorable men! The people we met, everything was good. I want to thank Glo for the experience. I want to pray that they allow more people to have awesome experiences like this. If not for Glo, how could I have gone on the trip? Glo promos are real. You can see I am just coming back. You can see how fresh I am now”.

The last draw produced four winners including 40-year-old Chartered Accountant Nwarisi Nsirim Sonny from Eche LG, Rivers State, 43-year-old motor dealer, Mobolaji Bolaji David from Ilesha, Osun State, 40-year-old Abuja-based Customs Officer, Akano Isaac, and 25-year-old Ojulari Peter from Ilaje in Ondo State who all departed for Russia on July 7. On arrival, they gave account of their trip to Russia where they watched the semi-final match between Belgium and France, and visited several monuments and historical sites. Two of them recalled their experiences in Russia.

According to Mobolaji David, “Our experience was fantastic! It was awesome. Though it was cold, we enjoyed every bit of it. We visited so many places. They took us on a tour round Moscow. It was a great experience and we had loads and loads of fun. Globacom, thank you for the opportunity. I enjoyed myself to the fullest. To all the doubting Thomases, you better try your luck next time because it is an experience that you will never forget”.

Akano Issac said, “I was able to watch the England versus Columbia match live. In fact, I could not believe it. It was just an experience I would not forget in a hurry. We visited their train stations. I saw the office of their Prime Minister. I was there at the Red Square. It was fun; we were able to meet so many people from all over the world, so many football fans from across the globe. They struggled to take pictures with us. Very, very interesting! I want to say a very big thank you to Glo for this wonderful experience. I really had fun”.

The lucky subscribers have become evangelists of sorts, spreading the good news of Globacom’s commitment to delighting its customers. Certainly, this crop of subscribers, together with their families and friends, will never take any promo by Globacom for granted in future. It is obvious you will so do, so join the caring network as tomorrow may be your turn.

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Current Hardship in Nigeria, a Result of Lack of Leadership, Says Atiku

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has attributed Nigeria’s worsening hardship to lack of effective leadership, emphasising the need for sacrifices by political leaders for the collective good.

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in his Christmas message to Nigerians, called on the nation to confront the root causes of its struggles while embracing unity and love during the festive season.

Atiku extended warm greetings to Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, urging Nigerians to reflect on the significance of the season.

“It is a blessing that we can once again celebrate the events leading to the birth of Christ, despite the adversity we face,” Atiku said.

He acknowledged the resilience of Nigerians in the face of unprecedented economic and social challenges but lamented the widespread suffering and preventable deaths resulting from poor governance.

“The failure of our leaders to make necessary sacrifices has deepened the hardship and widened the gap between the people and those in power,” he said.

Atiku criticized the lack of visionary leadership in the country, blaming it for the deteriorating quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

He highlighted how poor governance has exacerbated economic difficulties, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.

“Our current struggles are not insurmountable,” Atiku noted, “but addressing them requires leadership that prioritizes the well-being of the people over political expediency.”

Despite his critique of the current administration, Atiku’s message carried a tone of hope and encouragement.

He called on Nigerians to remain united and to confront their shared challenges with love and compassion for one another.

“With love and unity, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. Let us, therefore, come together to share love and joy with all people of goodwill,” he urged.

Atiku also reminded Nigerians of the spirit of Christmas as a time for reflection, gratitude, and selflessness. He encouraged citizens to draw inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ, whose birth symbolizes hope and renewal.

As Nigerians continue to grapple with economic and social instability, Atiku expressed hope for a brighter future, urging all citizens to work together to create a nation that prioritizes the welfare of its people.

“We must not lose sight of our collective strength and potential. With the right leadership and shared determination, Nigeria can rise above its challenges,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain wished all Nigerians a blessed Christmas filled with peace, happiness, and renewed hope for the future.

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Akwa Ibom Gov Disburses N750m Business Grant to 15,000 Youths

Published

3 days ago

December 24, 2024

Eric

In a historic move to tackle unemployment and empower Akwa Ibom’s youth, Governor Umo Eno has disbursed ₦750 million in unemployment business grants to 15,000 youths across the state. This innovative programme provides ₦50,000 monthly grant to 5,000 beneficiaries, with plans to expand the initiative to a total of 60,000 youths drawn from all 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) over the next 12 months.

Speaking during the official presentation of the grants at Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Gov Eno described the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and capacity building.

He urged beneficiaries to utilize the grants for productive ventures that will enhance their personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.

He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on creating opportunities that enable youths to thrive and unlock their full potential, adding that this programme is part of a broader charter to highlight and support the immense talent and resilience of Akwa Ibom youth.

Gov. Eno also announced plans for civil service recruitment through the State Youth Employment Portal.

He encouraged youths to register on the portal, which has been designed to simplify access to jobs and other employment-related initiatives, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in public service recruitment.

Additionally, the governor highlighted several complementary programmes aimed at building youth capacity, including Ibom LED, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Ibom Community Watch initiative. These initiatives provide vital training, mentorship, and job creation opportunities for young people, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive economy.

Describing the selection process, SSA on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong said beneficiaries where chosen through an unbiased and thorough process.

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Ahead Christmas, It’s Glo’s Feliz Navidad All the Way on TVCs

Published

4 days ago

December 22, 2024

Eric

Celebratory seasons, such as Christmas and New Year, are times when corporate organisations churn out new television commercials (TVCs) to connect with their customers and share the fun, euphoria and uncommon conviviality of such seasons.

One such organization which has over the years used this strategy to great effect is Nigeria’s top telecommunications brand, Globacom.

The exciting commercials that the technology company keeps rolling out fan the delight and elation of the season of goodwill. The brand employs the occasion not only to promote brand awareness but to felicitate its customers and the nation at large.

It is a tradition Glo has established. Since it started operations in 2003, it has always used television commercials as veritable tools of ensuring brand presence, marketing products and services and spreading joy among its various targets.

The 2024 Yuletide adverts it rolled out recently are not different. The two unique yet powerful commercials serve dual purposes. They felicitate the Nigerian people and spread mirth, which the season typifies, around existing and prospective customers.

Expectedly, the two new commercials have dominated the airwaves, and kept viewers talking and relishing the joy that Christmas brings.

The first commercial features juju music maestro, King Sunday Adegeye, popularly called King Sunny Ade, who parades a full ensemble of dancers and a rich, talented band in the TVC tagged “Merry Christmas”. The percussions, rhythm and dance merge to foster affability and enchanting memories of the season of glad tidings.

Before the party celebration where King Sunny and his band entertain guests, the TVC takes viewers back to the 1970s and 1980s when Christmas was celebrated with so much fanfare. It paints a vivid picture of rural Nigeria during Christmas where the warmth of tradition and community fills the air. The village with lush green vegetation is buzzing with excitement, with children playing, women cooking delicious meals in open-air kitchens, the aroma of local dishes (you can literally perceive it) mixing with the sounds of Afro Juju music. Families and friends gather around, dancing joyfully to the rhythmic beats, their faces beaming with happiness as they celebrate the festive season. A woman bearing the Aso ebi for the party is shown coming down from a Peugeot 504 car which also reinforces the advert as being set in the 1980s.

The television commercial by the telecom company captures the essence of togetherness, blending the cultural richness of rural life with the spirit of Christmas, all while subtly underscoring the telecom brand’s role in connecting loved ones, no matter how far apart they may be. It ends with “Better don come. Merry Christmas, Nigeria” further underscoring the reason for the commercial.

The second commercial tagged “Feliz Navidad” uses a galaxy of known artistes including Nollywood star, Timini Egbuson, as well as Uche Nwaefuna (Uchemontana), Chigozie Stephanie Alichi (Chizzy Alichi), Tomi Ojo, Eronini Osinachim, Kiki Bakare and Tope Adenibuyan (Teddy A) to pass across the message of Christmas.

At the heart of the Christmas party, the energy is electric as tap dancers take center stage, their feet tapping out intricate rhythms that blend seamlessly with the upbeat melody of Feliz Navidad. The sound of their shoes striking the floor creates a lively pulse, complementing the lively tunes of the music band performers who bring the festive song to life with vibrant instruments and harmonious vocals. Laughter and cheer fill the air as all come together to toast the season, sharing in the joy of music, movement, and the warmth of the Christmas spirit. The scene is a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and festive joy, all set to the timeless sounds of Feliz Navidad.

These commercials have further endeared the Glo brand to its subscribers and the general Nigerian public as they enjoy the geniality of the season of love, hope, gifts and celebrations.

Talking about the Yuletide commercials, Ademide Gafar, an industry watcher opined that churning out great TVCs is one of the selling points of the Glo brand while John Michael, a marketing communications expert, noted that Globacom is not just a leader in the telecommunications sector but a prominent creator of unforgettable commercials. From the nation’s pride in telecommunications, it’s Feliz Navidad-Merry Christmas!