Gambia National Lottery acting-marketing manager Mbisin Touray Saturday presented D68,355 to one Leon Gomez, winner of the company’s lottery jackpot, at a ceremony held at its office in New Jeshwang.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Ms Touray said normally the jackpots were won by people who were constant players of the Gambia National Lottery (GNL). Mr Leon was among thousands of lucky winners of GNL jackpot since its inception in the country, she added.
"At the GNL we do the presentation in a transparent manner because we believe in openness. This is why whatever we are to do at the GNL should be known to everybody," Ms Touray said.
She also commended the media and the entire staff of the GNL for their cooperation with the company, noting that without the support of the media and other stakeholders towards the GNL, it would be difficult for the company "to be where it is today".
Ms Touray advised the winner Mr Leon Gomez to put the money into good use, saying "the GNL is out to fight poverty in the country". She also revealed that their customers can also play instant scratch and win up to D50,000.
Nyawuru Komma, product development officer at the GNL, for his part, said their work "is all about transparency".
Last week they also paid over D48,000 to one of their winning costumers, he recalled, adding that for Mr Leon, they put an addition of over D20,000 to his jackpot, which made him win up to D68,355.
"At the GNL this is the way we fight poverty. Through the winning of GNL lottery you can solve many problems from the money you win at the GNL, and solve many of your problems at home, especially school fees, school uniforms, shoes, to mention a few," Mr Komma said.
Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving his money, Mr Gomez thanked the GNL officials for what he described as a "wonderful gesture" that would take him fifty steps forward in life.
"This is the first time I am receiving this amount of money from jackpot and I will use the money wisely so that tomorrow I can always remember the GNL" Leon told journalists.
Malick Jones, media consultant for the GNL, also spoke at the ceremony witnessed by a cross-section of GNL senior staff and the public.
