THE FIRST AND ONLY PERSON TO WIN “WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?” IN NNEWI

Mr Ufodike Chimuanya Egwuchukwu Aroma appeared on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in Nigeria on September 11, 2009, and won 10 million naira. He is an indigene of Nnewi, Anambra State, a twin and the last child in the family of Mr. (late) and Mrs. Ufodike. His father died in 1980. He is a widely travelled and well-informed graduate of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was also a one-time banker but resigned in 2005. He is an entrepreneur that trades Iron in large quantities.

He appeared on the popular TV Show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in Nigeria” on September 11, 2009, and won 10 million naira. He was a 36 years old bachelor then and he was the first person to win the top prize in Nigeria. It was until his 14th question worth 5 million naira that he used his first lifeline. He asked the audience; the most popular audience answer was also his choice but he used the 50/50 lifeline to be certain. He was now at the final question; the 10-million-naira question.

“Professor Maathai Wangari won the Nobel Prize for which of these?”, that was the final question. Aroma did not know the answer. He decided to use his last lifeline – phone a friend. He repeated the question several times but the network was bad that he barely heard what his friend said, he had to ask the host to repeat what his friend said – ‘Peace’. His nerves were shot, he asked for some water to drink. He then decided to go with his friend’s advice. Final answer? Yes, final answer – Peace.

After several minutes of pause and heightened tension amongst viewers, the judges affirmed the answer to be correct and he was declared the winner of the show. This moment was a joyous moment for so many Nigerians who were watching from different places as they were thrown into a frenzy of celebration.

Some of questions that got Aroma to the pinnacle

1. Which of these is the name of a British Football Club?
2. An establishment where money can be deposited or withdrawn is called what?
3. Name given to a boy born on Sunday in Ghana is what? Etc.

During an interview as how he had so much knowledge to answer the questions correctly, he said he loves reading a lot. In fact, he reads everything that comes his way except novels. And he watches news, documentaries and sports news a lot.

This amount of money might not be “life changing” for some in Nigeria today but it is still very special to have made history and won the show. Stories like this offers hope to many out there.

He also stated that he would put a better part of the money into his steel business and give some to his mum.