Beautiful physically-challenged JeNi Will may not have made the top three of the online contest, but her courage and will to win as a person with disability has endeared her to the hearts of Spangler Market, organizers of the contest.
JeNi Will, 21, a poultry farmer from Ankpa, Kaduna State knew she probably stood no chance of winning the online contest and perhaps was the reason she hesitated to participate in the contest in the first instance.
However with the encouragement and support of family and friends, she summoned courage and determination to contest and win.
According to Sprangler Market’s owner, Purity Adejanu Abhulimhen, the winner of the contest will take home a sum of ₦350,000, get an interview with two major media houses in Nigeria as well as a luxury night at a five star hotel.
“Also among the prizes include a three months free data subscription, complete branding of company new or existing and finally Spangler Immunity Card which gives the winner free access to free slot for Spangler Market’s online trade fair, 30% off any products purchased, free verification and many more,” Abhulimhen said in a Facebook post on 15th May.
The 2nd place winner is expected to walk home with ₦100,000 while the third winner will take home ₦50,000.
After all the stages of the contest, JeNi emerged 6th with 3.5k votes below the front runner with 10k votes, at the final stage of the contest.
However, owing to cheating by two contestants, JeNi moved up to the 4th position.
“We made it to the finals”. She said in a Facebook post.
The organisers had intended to award only the top three contestants and had nominated the three winners to walk home with the awards.
But because the courage and confidence exhibited by JeNi to come out 4th out of top 10 contestants in a contest that had people without any form of disability, the owner, Purity Adejanu Abhulimhen decided to include JeNi in the awards with ₦30k and a new phone.
“I have decided to give 4th position 30k” the owner said.
“We don’t know you before but this win is special to us. We decided to add 30k for the 4th position and we will also get you a good phone so that you can snap good pictures of your goods. In a standing ovation help me congratulate this 21 year-old fighter. A poultry farmer strong and determined,” Abhulimhen added.
Having been awarded with 30k by the organisers, more gifts started pouring in for JeNi as an anonymous person who was also touched by her confidence added 20k to the 30k already promised her.
“It’s not about pity, but the confidence she exudes,” the anonymous person said.
Another person promised ₦5,000 and another ₦5,000. When summing up the cash donations, one would think JeNi was actually the 3rd place winner.
Thanking her family, friends and fans for their massive support, JeNi, a Bethel Baptist high school graduate took to her Facebook page to share a message.
“A big shout out to everyone who made this possible.. Words ain’t enough to express how happy I am….. Space won’t allow me to call names ,family, friends, well wishers, I say a big thank you for the love, the votes,the support and prayers.
“To my papa Olusegun Daniels Jdb, thank for the prayers and praise. To mummy Folusho Oginni Liasu, thank you ma for your endless efforts and words of encouragement.
“To my amazing boss Spangler Wòrld, thank you for the opportunity, the love , you did more than I expected.
“To my amazing team members, for the love, sleepless nights, mobilization, supports ,organization.,I say a big thank. This will have been work not done without all of you…Thank you. Thank you everyone,” she wrote.
INN congratulates JeNi for the massive win as a win for her is a win for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.