How My Name Disqualified Me From Going to America - Uti Nwachukwu Shares Story
Actor and former Big Brother Africa winner, Uti Nwachukwu has revealed how his name and ill-luck conspired to deny him the chance of landing in America after winning America Visa lottery years ago.
He shared this unknown aspect of his life when he took his turn on the Tea with Tay podcast. He explained that the order of his name caused his disqualification and although he explained everything on the day of his interview at the embassy, he was sadly turned away.
In his words; “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 d*ed. Part of me d*ed inside.”
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