As part of Nigeria’s centenary celebrations, the federal government has initiated a lottery programme which offers football fans and Nigerians an exciting chance at winning prized. Managed by Secure Electronic Technology Plc (SET), this lottery can be found running across MTN, Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and Visafone networks with prizes including 90 Hyundai cars being won daily over 90 days; additionally there will also be consolation prizes like tricycles, freezers or television sets as consolation prizes.
To participate in the Nigeria Centenary Lottery game, subscribers should text QP to 35777 on any of the five networks and this will trigger a system that generates questions that participants can answer to win prizes ranging from various amounts. Once winners are announced by each network, they will be contacted both via text message as well as voice call with details regarding how to redeem their prize money.
Adolphus Ekpe, Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), has warned Nigerians against fake text messages regarding the Centenary Lottery. Ekpe said his commission wasn’t in charge of monitoring messages related to it and therefore couldn’t be held liable for scam messages; however NDCC could confirm that Centenary Lottery is handled by SET which has full registration and licensing status.
Maurice Newa, Chief Commercial Officer for Airtel Nigeria, expressed their satisfaction at supporting this lottery initiative which aligns with their company’s ongoing pursuit to empower and uplift Nigerians. According to him, Centenary Lottery game not only allows Nigerians to win cash prizes, but also offers them the chance to learn about more of Nigeria’s rich culture as well as historic sites.
Garuba Mohammed from Niger State was among those lucky Airtel customers to win prizes so far, including Johnson Abanulor in Port Harcourt; Caroline Nwaefulu of Edo state won first prize while Samson Yusuf of Lagos received a generator! Other prizes awarded by Airtel included bicycles, freezers and TV sets in addition to cash awards.
Nigerians can learn more about the Centenary Lottery by visiting either its official website, or any Airtel retail outlet between now and August 2014. The promotion will run until then.