The winners of the Star Trip To Brazil National Consumer Promotion, organised by Star lager beer, are currently relishing their experiences in the South American country. The ‘Star’ team comprises: Udoh Emmanuel, Timothy Victor, Nora Mba, Samson Emegbhara, Segun Apata, Chidiebere Ningwe, Agaku Kelvin Terkaa, Zakky Onyebuchi, James Maxwell, Sunday Dike and Oboh Tobechukwu Chukwuma.
Brazil is synonymous with football, the samba rhythms, beautiful beaches and Brazilian hair. The Trip To Brazil winners have varied expectations such as adventure, shopping, site-seeing, selfies with popular faces to visiting monumental sites and the likes.
The Brazil trip meant something much more significant to Nora Mba, the only female winner on the promo. Perhaps she could be described as the happiest of the lot due to the fulfilment of a long-nursed dream. She got what she craved for – original Brazilian hair! She said: “I bought 18 inches Brazilian hair. In Nigeria, it would have cost between N80,000 to N85,000. But I’m so happy I bought it at N45,000. I’m happy I’ve been able to get real hair on this trip, not like the fake ones that you sometimes find in Nigeria.”
Oboh Tobechukwu on the other hand who also wanted to buy the hair however could not afford it as he had spent his money on other items. He confessed that he initially doubted the authenticity of the promo, but was now convinced, given that Star has fulfilled its promise of taking them to Brazil.
Segun Apata stated that the word ‘soiree’, best describes their on-going experience; which started before their touch-down in Brazil. He said: “We left Nigeria for Brazil on Thursday, June 12, but we had a stop-over in South Africa. We were given money to shop and I bought a lot of items. But surprisingly, a lot of tourists wanted to associate with us and they took lots of pictures with us.”
Samson Emegbhara corroborated Apata’s story. While he had often heard that Nigerians were treated with disdain he felt surprised that they were given the regal treatment everywhere they visited in Brazil. He remarked: “Each time we want to eat, people come around and tell us they want to take pictures with us. Everywhere we go to, we are treated like kings and queens. We are being given VIP treatment. What I heard was that when you get to a place, Nigerians are always segregated. But believe me, Brazilians have given us a fantastic reception.”
Timothy Victor, an auto-mechanic and a widower who had never travelled outside Nigeria, described his experience as very interesting. He noted: “I’ve never seen anything like this before. We were lodged in Four Points Sheraton, a Four Star Hotel, and we have been having our meals in various exotic restaurants, while enjoying interesting sites in Brazil.”
While in Brazil, the winners have also been passionately supporting Nigeria’s representatives at the on-going Global Football Mundial. While they watched Nigeria draw against Iran, they cheered as the country’s footballers beat the Bosnia – Herzegovina team by a lone goal.
Speaking on the experience, Zakki Onyebuchi commented: “We were at the football stadia to cheer Nigeria to victory at the Global Football Mundial. We are not only true lovers of the game, we are also passionate supporters of the footballers representing Nigeria at the competition. Even when the Iranian football fans tried to play us down, we got a lot of support from the Brazilian football fans. But on the whole, we have been treated very well.”
