ThisDay correspondent Michael Olugbode has emerged as the winner of a ₦1 million dining voucher during the 2024 Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Nigeria.
Olugbode, who also secured two bottles of exotic spirits in an additional WeChat raffle, was doubly fortunate at the event held at the Silk Road Restaurant in Abuja’s Central Business District. The festival was organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, in partnership with the China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy.
The festival, known as the Mooncake Festival, saw various prizes, including electronic gadgets, health products, and dining vouchers, awarded to guests, both Nigerian and Chinese. Olugbode’s lucky seat number, 59, won him the top prize of the night, the N1 million voucher, in the final raffle draw. Shortly after, his WeChat registration earned him two bottles of rare spirits.
Speaking about his wins, Olugbode expressed surprise and gratitude, calling the experience “divinely arranged.” He admitted that he had considered leaving before the final draws, but a feeling urged him to stay.
“I am honored to have won these prizes and grateful to the Chinese Embassy, Cultural Centre, China General Chamber of Commerce, and the Silk Road Restaurant. They have made me a true ambassador of Chinese culture and the Mooncake Festival,” he said.
The Mooncake Festival, celebrated for over 3,000 years, is a significant event in Chinese culture. Li Xuda, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, explained that the festival symbolizes family, unity, and the harvest season, adding that the event also fosters cultural exchange between China and Nigeria.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally observed on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, highlights the full moon, symbolizing unity and prosperity.
