Knowledge Alfred, the web sensation referred to as Dr. H20, shot to popularity when a video of him wildly selling Aquafina Aqua took social media through hurricane. The 22-year-old’s air of secrecy didn’t simply seize likes and stocks—it additionally stuck the eye of Aquafina itself, which invested N8m into his H2O industry, amongst alternative backup. However in a surprising twist, the funding took a nosedive. Talking to Temitope Adetunji, he explains why he thinks unrevealed forces are in the back of his quandary
Are you able to let us know in regards to the preliminary pleasure when the corporate invested N8m in what you are promoting?
First, I wish to explain one thing. Crowd stored announcing that the corporate gave me N15m. In reality that they’re blending all of it up, I simplest won items usefulness N8m.
Sure, it began then the viral video of me selling Aquafina Aqua at a hectic bus storage in Onitsha.
My special approach attracted a quantity of consideration, and the corporate made up our minds to sponsor my industry with a complete funding of N8m. They supplied apparatus, together with machines, a generator, freezer, and paid for 3 years of store hire.
In the beginning, I used to be so excited and thankful for the chance. On the month, it felt like a life-changing week. I used to be extremely joyful, so hopeful, and grateful. However quickly then, issues took a evil flip. I couldn’t account for the cash, and in spite of the entire backup from Aquafina, the industry began to fall aside.
I used to be totally perplexed, as there used to be negative cloudless explanation why for the losses. Upcoming in search of religious steering, I realised that the shatter would possibly had been because of religious forces. It’s mournful to suppose that in spite of the entire efforts and sources, the industry nonetheless failed. Now, the status has transform insufferable, and I will’t support however really feel like I’ve let the corporate i’m sick.
What precisely led for your monetary losses?
To be fair, I’m suffering to totally perceive what came about. Extreme 12 months October, Aquafina Aqua gave me items usefulness N8m to put money into my H2O industry on account of the best way I promoted their product at a hectic bus storage in Onitsha, which the corporate noticed in a video that went viral. The entirety gave the impression to be going nicely, however next I realized that I couldn’t account for the cash, neither the capital nor the benefit. It used to be just like the price range simply disappeared. I stored asking myself, “What’s going on?” I’ve data of the H2O I bought. I purchased complete truckloads, but I will’t give an explanation for the place the cash went. I imagine it’s one thing past human working out, one thing religious.
What steps did you are taking whilst you realised issues had been going mistaken?
Aquafina didn’t simply give me the products and do the entirety they did for me; in addition they assigned an associate for me to report back to. Once I spotted the disorder, I invited him to my park of industrial. He got here, took photos, movies, and documented the entirety. However in spite of my pleas, he by no means gave me comments. I stored asking him, “Have you reported to the company? What’s going on?” Rather of serving to, he began insulting me, calling me names, and accusing me of losing the cash. I felt unloved.
Why didn’t you manner the corporate without delay?
I felt it wasn’t right kind to redirection the individual assigned to me. I assumed the correct factor used to be to hold reporting to him. However now, I remorseful about no longer going without delay to the corporate myself.
The place is what you are promoting situated?
My store is situated in Anambra Circumstance, however I’m recently in Lagos for a role interview. For the reason that industry collapsed, I’ve been on the lookout for alternative tactics to support my lifestyles.
How are you feeling about the entirety?
This status has introduced me such a lot humiliation and emotional ache. Crowd who as soon as admired my paintings now level hands at me, spreading fraudelant rumours that I squandered the cash on sports activities making a bet, clubbing, and reckless way of life.
None of this is true, however the weight of those accusations is large. It’s mournful and separating. I think like I’m shedding myself, and it’s pushing me deeper into melancholy.
It’s no longer simply the monetary loss that hurts; it’s the disgruntlement from family I lend a hand about. In all places I progress, there’s a continuing reminder of ways I’ve failed, and it’s tough to shake off the guilt and humiliation. I think misplaced, and on occasion I don’t understand how to stand the arena. It’s overwhelming, and there are days after I simply wish to disappear. My middle is large, and I’m suffering to look some way out of this.
Within the viral video the place you had been selling Aquafina Aqua, you sounded well-spoken. What’s your tutorial background?
I simplest have SSCE. I sought after to additional my schooling, however there used to be monetary constraints. When the chance to begin the industry got here, I noticed it as my anticipation to manufacture one thing of myself.
How has your folk reacted?
When my mom discovered what came about, it beggarly her middle. She cried over the telephone, and listening to her expression stuffed with such a lot ache made the entirety even more difficult for me. My dad gave up the ghost at some point in the past, and because next, my mum has been my rock and backup machine. However now, I will listen the fear and disappointment in her expression each and every month we communicate.
She stored looking to inspire me, telling me that the entirety can be ok and that I shouldn’t surrender, however I do know she’s hurting deeply.
It hurts me to understand that she is so anxious about me, particularly as a result of I sought after to manufacture her pleased with me with the industry. Optic her misery makes me really feel like I’ve let her i’m sick. She has at all times been robust for me, and now I think like I’ve added to her burden. It’s tough, and I want I may just remove her ache.
When precisely did the industry get started, and when did you realise it had failed?
I began the industry in October 2023, and through Might 2024, I realised it had collapsed.
You discussed that religious forces is also concerned. What led you to imagine this?
It’s withered to provide an explanation for, however there’s negative logical explanation why for the shatter. I didn’t waste the cash, but each the capital and benefit vanished. I imagine there are unseen forces at play games. I’ve been having sleepless nights, my thoughts is large, and I think like I’m shedding keep watch over. I wouldn’t want this enjoy on someone. If family unsureness me, I pray God forgives them as a result of they don’t perceive what I’m going thru.
Have you ever skilled industry failure ahead of, or is that this your first month?
That is the primary month I’ve skilled this type of downfall.
Are you able to let us know extra in regards to the religious steering you sought?
I didn’t progress to any local physician or conventional healer. I went immediately to a person of God as a result of I used to be determined for solutions. Sooner than I may just even start explaining my status, he checked out me and mentioned that I used to be underneath a religious assault.
His phrases had been stunning as a result of deep i’m sick, I already felt that one thing wasn’t proper; one thing past the bodily. He informed me that what I used to be going thru wasn’t regular and that unseen forces had been running in opposition to me.
Having a look again at how the industry partnership with the corporate didn’t end up as anticipated, what key classes have you ever discovered from this enjoy, and if given some other alternative, how would you care for issues otherwise?
I might be extremely thankful if I got some other anticipation. I really imagine that, through God’s grace, the religious assault that led to my downfall is in the back of me, and with renewed power, I’m extra ready than ever to manufacture issues proper. It deeply hurts that the preliminary industry alternative didn’t progress nicely, particularly taking into account the religion the corporate positioned in me. If given some other anticipation, I might practice the teachings I’ve discovered from this enjoy and be extra wary in managing the industry, each financially and spiritually. I’m assured that this month, the entirety will figure out nicely, and I can pay off the consider and backup of those that believed in me.
He gave me explicit directions and private duties to do, and I adopted his steering in moderation. It wasn’t almost about worship but additionally about replacing the best way I have interaction with family. He mentioned no longer everybody round me used to be pleased with my travel, and that there might be family resentful of my luck, even the ones I imagine similar.
That section in reality clash me withered as it made me query the entirety and everybody round me.
Since next, I’ve transform a lot more wary, however it’s nonetheless a attempt as a result of I don’t know who to consider anymore. I’ve misplaced such a lot already, and the worry of shedding extra makes me really feel much more susceptible. However I’m maintaining directly to my religion, believing that God will flip issues round, even though it feels unimaginable at the moment.
You discussed melancholy. Have you ever won any backup from pals or family members?
Sure, I’ve siblings and supportive pals who’ve attempted to hold me going. There used to be even a month after I sought after to finish all of it. One occasion, I used to be in this type of twilight section that I just about put poison in my meals. My pals forbidden me simply in month, and I cried bitterly. It’s been extremely withered, however their backup has stored me going.
How have you ever been managing the overpowering emotions of humiliation and melancholy?
Dealing with humiliation and melancholy has been a exit. I aim to enclose myself with supportive pals and folk who uplift me. Speaking brazenly about my emotions is helping me let go one of the vital burdens I elevate inside of.
You discussed that rumours are being unfold about you. How have those accusations impacted your relationships with pals and acquaintances?
The rumours have taken a toll on my relationships. I realized that some pals have distanced themselves, which is painful as it looks like they imagine the fraudelant narratives are being unfold. It’s disheartening to look how family can temporarily soar to conclusions with out figuring out the entire tale. At the alternative hand, I’ve additionally found out who my true pals are — those that have stood through me and presented backup all the way through this hard month. It’s a combined bag, and I’m studying to concentrate on the certain relationships that uplift me instead than live at the negativity.