Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony, MD/CEO of EG&H Integrated Concepts Ltd, Mr Thompson Eja said the event was to celebrate the biggest Jackpot Lottery winner in the history of Nigeria by the name Anthony Akuma, adding that in 2005 the Federal Government passed the National Lottery Act with a goal "to create an environment where we can have a lottery in Nigeria that rivals what you have in the UK, what you have in America, what you have in the Philippines, what you have in South Africa, and our goal as a licensed operator in Nigeria is to create exciting lotteries that can enable things like this happen, so that when somebody wins your lottery, it changes their lives".
He expressed the hope that "Mr Akuma's life, being the first huge winner of a jackpot lottery in Nigeria, will be positively and significantly impacted" He further expressed optimism that Nigeria, with a population of over 180 million people can develop lottery that is beneficial to Nigerians.
He recalled that in the US, the U.K. and even South Africa, people win millions and billions of dollars in lottery schemes, while in Nigeria the first huge jackpot winner is taking home N5.6million only, stressing: "Our goal, and the goal of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is to see routine jackpots wins in the excess of N100 million in Nigeria. I think it can happen, I know it will happen, and I hope we will lead and be pioneers in making that happen.
"For that to happen though, EG&H is championing close collaboration with the telecomm industry incuding MTN and GLO so all Nigerians with a phone can easily get a ticket by SMS for example TEXT 1 to 42663.
Also, EG&H has developed close collaboraton with Diamond Bank Y'ello and First Bank Mobile Money to ensure winners are paid promptly and transperenlty. Additionally, EG&H is the first to introduce the innovation that allows customers to pay for tickets through their bank account for example on the GTBank you can pay for a ticket by dialing *737*50*250*61# and for Zenith Bank dial *966*6*03443*5#. We will continue to improve our services to ensure that the next time we gather here we will be celebrating an even bigger winner", he concluded.
Plentymillions is operated by EG&H Integrated Concepts Limited.
Representative of Diamond bank, Mrs Nneka Umeh who congratulates the jackpot winner said at this time of the year when the country is experiencing a recession this will certainly send positive vibes across the country, adding that lottery is definitely going to make a difference in Nigeria, especially in the retail segment of the banking industry where you have the mass market with a large number of them unbanked.
She expressed optimism that "after today, PlentyMillions will be more known everywhere, people will know that a phone is not only for calls, and that using N50 to buy a PLENTYMILLIONS LOTTERY ticket can change your life. N50 has changed his (Akuma) life today, and I am sure if he had gone to church and someone told him he will be a millionaire today, he would not have believed".
Also, the Representative of the Director General of the Commission, Mr Tsav Yagbav congratulated operators of Plentymillions for being able to break through with the successful jackpot winning. He also saluted the winner, Mr Akuma "who is the first biggest jackpot winner in Nigeria" as well as Diamond Bank and First Bank who are EG&H channel partners in the scheme.