Gulder Ultimate Chase produces another car winner

A forthnight ago, Benjamin Akuruka, a 300 level undergraduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology told his 86 year old father, Pa Emmanuel Akuruka, that he would drive him home from a wedding ceremony which the octogenarian planned to attend on Saturday, November 7; in a brand new car which he would win in a competition.

A very close relative of the Akurukas was the bride getting married that same Saturday and the only mode of transportation available to convey the family to the auspicious occasion was a commercial tricycle, popularly called keke.

He then intimated his father of the Gulder Ultimate Chase event, which was billed for the same Saturday his cousin, was getting married; as well as his resolve to win the brand new Hyundai Elantra grand prize up for grabs. Even though his father doubted the authenticity of the promo, he gave his son the nod to participate.

On the eve of the Owerri edition of the Gulder Ultimate Chase, Benjamin took his mother, Mrs. Victoria Akuraka, to their compound and told her that a brand new car would be parked there the following day. According to him, he vowed to replace the family car which had to be sold to offset certain financial obligations.

On Saturday, November 7, Benjamin joined over 1000 other contestants who had assembled at the Dan Anyiam Stadium to participate in the Owerri leg of the Gulder Ultimate Chase. Despite lagging behind more than 500 contestants, he eventually won the competition and the gift of a brand new Hyundai Elantra car.

After his feat, Benjamin was driven in a convoy to the Presbyterian Church, Aladinma venue of the wedding ceremony of his cousin. This was to enable him fulfill his promise of driving home his father in a brand new car.

Earlier calls to his parents had been unfruitful as they were specials guests and were seated on the High Table and hence could not receive phone calls. A text message was sent to his mother, informing her of her son’s victory. She later confessed that she received a text message informing her that her son had won a brand new car, but she ignored it because she felt it could not be true.

There was however uproar as the Gulder convoy drove into The Presbyterian Church as it coincided with the period the couple and invited guests were taking photographs. As Benjamin stepped out of the Gulder branded car Hyundai Elantra car, there was uproar of celebration as members of his community who recognized him deciphered that their ‘son’ had just won a brand new car.

Even the bride who was initially vexed that her wedding ceremony was disrupted became joyous when she learnt her relative won the Gulder Ultimate Chase car.

A weeping Benjamin then made his way to his father knelt and said: “Daddy, I brought the Gulder car to you. I told you I was going to do it and I’ve done it.” His father replied: “Thank you Jesus, my son said he was going to bring this car and take me home. Oh God, I came with keke, now I’m going home with a brand new car. I am overwhelmed. I am happy.”

In furtherance of the celebration, the Gulder brand team donated 10 crates of the premium alcoholic brand to the wedding celebrants.

According to Benjamin, on their drive home, his parents directed him to switch off the car’s air-conditioning system and wind down the glass. His parents then sang and waved to on-lookers who celebrated with them on their way home.

Speaking on what pushed him to win the brand new car, the Animal science and Fishery management undergraduate said: “We used to own a car, but we had to sell it because of financial issues. Since then, my dad has been going about with keke. When the Chase started, I vowed to win the car for my father. He needs a car because he is 86 years now.”

Advising other consumers who are willing to participate in other editions, he said: “I’m a lucky man. Because it’s my first time of participating in the Chase and I won it. I heard that some other contestants have gone to Ibadan, Lagos, Port Harcourt and so on, but they didn’t win. I participated only once and I won. So I want to tell other contestants that the Gulder Ultimate Chase is a reality. The only thing you have to do is just have the determination.

When you are focused and determined to achieve your goals, I bet you, you will go far. The key word there is determination. Other contestants should persevere. There are two locations left, Calabar and Onitsha. There is still the possibility that somebody that will have faith like me can also get it.

The Calabar Ultimate Chase event will hold on November 14, 2015 at the U J Esuene Stadium while Onitsha will host the event on November 21, 2015 at the Godwin Achebe Mini stadium. The raffle draw for Onitsha will hold on November 22, 2015. The promo will end on November 30, 2015.