Uti Nwachukwu, BBAfrica star, has explained how a mix up in his name made him miss out on a US lottery visa
By Kehinde Okeowo
Big Brother Africa winner and TV personality, Uti Nwachukwu has disclosed how a mix-up in his name, cost him an opportunity to relocate to the United States.
The actor revealed this while speaking as a guest on Tea with the Tay podcast, where he spoke about how a minor mistake made him forfeit the visa he won.
According to the 35-year-old, he had gone to the US embassy for an interview after winning the American visa lottery but a mix-up in his name led to his disqualification.
The Jara co-anchor also said the experience was tough to take because he met all other requirements, but writing his surname before his first name cost him the opportunity.
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He added that he was advised to reapply for the visa to avoid wasting his money because even if he was given the visa at the US embassy in Nigeria, he will be denied the opportunity of entering.
He said, “I was supposed to get direct entry into America, I had already applied and everything, got admission, supposed to go. I now said let me play VISA lottery, won the visa lottery, day of interview they said – first name, last name – Uti Nwachukwu, Nwachukwu Uti is not the same person, I died.
“I remember walking back from the embassy. I already told my friends ‘I dey go oh, kachifo, bye bye’, we don already even do small drink up for Bele. I had already celebrated leaving Nigeria because I wasn’t used to losing things.
“You know that year na cyber cafe, and internet no dey fast for night, so I left my personal details with their attendant and you know say for Nigeria, we dey write our surnames first. So the person that won which is Nwachukwu Uti, the person’s first name is Nwachukwu, the last name is Uti but my first name is Uti, my last name is Nwachukwu. It’s a lottery, they will use any small thing to disqualify you. I qualified every other thing – I had my papers, medicals, everything perfect.
“They now said, “I’m sorry, play again.” I said “this is a VISA lottery, are you assuring me I will win again?” The person said, “I’m not assuring you anything, play again.” I wan d*e! I was shouting “but it’s the same person, the names are mine”.
“They said “Yes, but this person has the family name of Uti, you have the family name of Nwachukwu. Even if I don’t detect it here, it will be detected over there and you’d have wasted all your money and time.” I died. Part of me died inside.”