FROM A DOUBTING THOMAS TO A REAL WINNER

Here’s how I won a Ram on Jumia’s live giveaway.

Oluwatosin Okupa
Nov 1 · 4 min read

"Congratulations!"

A word I had not heard in a while finally found its footing in my land.

How things fall into place unexpectedly, to me, is a mysterious wonder.

It was a bright Wednesday morning, another day to taste life's uncertain deeds. With a sudden eagerness, I jumped into the information world of Twitter as I feasted my eyes on a bittersweet war of words from different users; a few verified, some in-between, and others, tag along as wannabes. I came across Jumia's advert on Wednesday Super sale live giveaway. Gosh! I had completely forgotten about this Jumia offer, reason being that I believed they fell my hand (Nigerian slang meaning to fall short below one's expectation). This is because I once tried to make an order strictly for the Wednesday super sale but got a 'sold out' message which really pissed me off considering the fact that I was right on time for the offer, about fifteen minutes before showtime. (Winks)

So, this time around, I made up my mind to 'shoot my shot' since I had nothing to lose.

About ten minutes to twelve, the giveaway time, I made myself available on the notable e-commerce website. The instructions were to log in with your Jumia account and insert your phone number in the box provided. At exactly twelve noon, I pasted my number only to see other phone numbers rushing in like the speed of light. Since I had nothing to lose, I left the page and sauntered around other social media sites including my blog, mail and podcasting app.

An unexpected call came in around a few minutes to one.

"Good afternoon, this is **** from Jumia, kindly confirm your identity and location."
"Good afternoon, *******Oluwatosin from*****"

The conversation continued and I was asked to answer two questions. Apparently, they had contacted about three people initially, who got the questions wrong. I was probably the fourth or fifth because, at that time, I had totally forgotten about the giveaway.

The first, being 'What's a female ram called?' Oh! How I've known this since good old primary school days - Animals and their Gender Names. Away with excitement, 'Ewe' rushed out of my mouth happily.
"Kindly recite the second stanza of the Nigerian National Anthem."

Say what?!
Come see how I rattled off reciting this beautiful piece as a proud patriot. Then came,

'Congratulations!!! ......We will call you back soon once the live giveaway is over.'
I sprang up joyously, dancing as I asked myself.

'Is this real? Oh my! Thank God!'


Funny how this question came up. It was just last week, I complained to my mum about not being able to win anything on social media as I had tried to, the previous day and the result was not positive. Howbeit, this time, all things worked together for my good.

Truthfully, according to their word, they called back and we agreed that I would get the gift on Friday. A part of me kind of felt 'Ooo a ram? Do I want it? I don't even eat ram to start with!'

But when I told my mum, she instantly instructed me not to think twice and that she would make arrangements on how it'll be collected, which in turn lifted my worries (Sweet Mama came through).

In the early hours of Friday at about ten, I got a call to remind me about the gift only for me to reply saying "I’m currently at the nearest bus stop."

No dulling oo. I ain’t ready to let go of a freebie. No way!

Eventually, after a series of random descriptions, after I called to confirm the location, I arrived at Jumia’s head office at Ikeja. Well, I had to agree to a video shoot which I was not initially pleased with because I had done my part based on the previous conversation, which was for me to make it known on Instagram and Twitter, plus having to tag them, and they acknowledged it.

However, they wanted me to still shoot the video with the Ram (yes! I finally saw the fighter, it gestured as if it was ready to fight with the person holding its rope), so as to shut naysayers and make people believe that it’s real. Truth be told, I used to be a doubting Thomas about social media giveaways until 'Seeing is believing' with this first-class experience.

Well, we finally did a short video summarizing how and what I won, with one of Jumia's agents standing in between me and the Ram (you sure don't expect me to hold it). It was visible for all eyes to see as people around including other Jumia employees congratulated me. At last, one of the Lead Administrators, a female asked, "How do you intend to carry it?" I smiled sheepishly with a firm response, "my uncle is here with me" and she nodded in affirmative to my answer.

Yes, it was time to go and I walked back into the reception to inform my people. Voila! My mum and my uncle stepped out joyously and we took off after exchanging pleasantries.
It felt like a dream to me, or rather, it still feels like one unexpected, unplanned amazing, out of the blue kind of dream.

One thing mum said answered my curious questions 'When the Lord turned away the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dreamed' Oh! I’m still dreaming because it still feels like yesterday.

Totally grateful to Jumia and to Yahweh for making this opportunity work in my favour.

Amazing how He comes through for us when we least expect. Indeed, man proposes, God disposes.

*Embrace the little moments of joy you've been gifted in preparation for the big moments you really desire.

What is that small win you are grateful for?

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