KEY POINTS
- Wisdom Alfred’s water business funded by Aquafina fizzled out even after an investment of N8m.
- Financial loss without reason; Alfred believes that it is due to spiritual beings.
- Alfred’s story: Depression, Stigma and Second Chances.
Wisdom Alfred, a young man whose nick name is Dr. H20 became an internet sensation after he was captured dancing and chanting in Onitsha while advertising Aquafina Water.
This fame made Aquafina to pump in N8 million of his money in his water business, buying him equipment, rent and other things. However, the venture looked very promising and it is for this reason that the business failed when it did.
In an interview with Temitope Adetunji, Alfred revealed that indeed he only got goods which amounted to N8 million and not cash. He described how he felt when he received what he thought was the best chance of his life. However, as it turned out, Alfred was unable to explain where the capital or profit was.
Even when he was keeping sales records and handling full truckloads of water, he had no idea where the money was going. “It’s something that cannot be explained in words, it’s something that is other worldly,” Alfred said, meaning that there could be witchcraft.
Hopes, fears, and experiences
Alfred was accused of misusing the funds which were received through the donation; some of the people accused him of using the money to place bets and party, which Alfred denies.
Alfred shared that he feels a great deal of guilt and described himself as being as good as suicidal at some point. He attributes his friends and family for helping him get back from that dark spot in his life.
Alfred said that he had gone to a man of God to seek for prayers and the man told him that he was having spiritual problems. He has since, however, sought to ensure that he protects himself in the spiritual and emotional sense and the ordeal has certainly affected him.
Alfred is optimistic that he will get another opportunity and that he will be, financially and emotionally, prepared for it. He said that he did not fail because of carelessness or extravagant spending but it could be because some individuals could have plotted against him.
Ever since his company went under Alfred has been in Lagos looking for employment in a bid to make a fresh start. He is thankful for the support which he gets from his family especially his mother, they are still a voice to him despite the fact that she is in pain.
According to The Punch, To Alfred, the failure to run his business was not just a financial loss but the death of a hope that was supposed to transform their lives and that of his family. He wants to come back and show people that he has what it takes.
