Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, also known as Phyna, the winner of Big Brother Naija ‘Level Up’ season 7, has turned to social media to criticise the show’s organisers, Multichoice, for failing to pay her winning Crypto BTC prize money of more over N100 million. Phyna, who was in tears during an Instagram Live session, voiced her displeasure and unhappiness with the unpaid prize money she had been owing since the show finished two years ago. She requested the organisers to pay her the 1BTC prize money, which had grown in value to more than N100 million. The development generated outrage on social media, with many fans and celebrities responding with varying viewpoints.
It has called into question the transparency and accountability of Nigeria’s reality TV shows, as well as the necessity for clearer norms and regulations to protect participants’ rights. While some have supported Phyna, others have questioned her strategy to seeking restitution. Daniel Regha stated that Phyna should consider pursuing legal action rather than depending on social media outrage. “Phyna continues to complain online that she owns 1BTC, but what stops her from pursuing legal action?
“It’s almost as if she’s more concerned with the weekly clout than the claimed money. BBN organisers aren’t above going to court; this is a straightforward case. “She isn’t serious,” he tweeted. Another handle, ThisisTolu, on the other hand, encouraged Phyna and recommended her to seek legal recourse and investigate alternative avenues for recovering her reward money. “Hi, Phyna. I know you’re feeling really low right now, which is entirely understandable. “Crying is a natural reaction when something unfair occurs, especially when it involves something significant, such as being owed 1BTC by BBN.” “That is a lot of money, and it is about more than simply money; it is also about trust and respect.
“Consider reaching out to BBN again, perhaps by a formal letter or email, to explain your position and the impact it has had on you. “In some cases, a straightforward, calm, and professional attitude can be really successful. If necessary, you may seek legal advice or assistance from a consumer rights organisation. “They can provide guidance on how to proceed and ensure that you get what you are owed,”she tweeted. Rita Sunshine, an online user, blasted the organisers’ lack of ethics, claiming that such a situation would not be accepted in modern countries. “In Nigeria, integrity is a major concern. Why would an entity make obligations that it had no intention of fulfilling?
“If this occurs in any advanced country, Multichoice will pay through the teeth. “If all payment terms are specified in your award contract, hire attorneys, write them down, and publicise them, put a lot of pressure on the organisers, and you’ll absolutely receive your bitcoin worth. “Online tears are unnecessary. “I hope this helps,” she stated. Timi of Lagos speculated that Phyna’s inability to get lucrative engagements and retain a significant fan base following the show may have led to the organisers’ refusal to pay her prize money.
Phyna
“It appears that Phyna did not make enough money for Big Brother following the post-show. She had no job offers or social media attention following the show. “Because she didn’t have a strong fan base, Big Brother wasn’t able to make much money from Phyna,“he claimed. As the story unfolds, supporters and stakeholders are impatiently expecting a resolution and hope that Phyna receives her deserved prize money.
Source: guardian.ng
