The Informant 247, a Kwara State-based online newspaper, has paid out prize monies to winners of an essay competition it organised in January 2022.

After the company, on March 28, 2022, announced Oluwadamilola Akintewe, Rhoda Paul-Osagie and Olajumoke Saheed as the contest winner, first and second runners-up respectively, it failed to pay their prize monies.

FIJ reported in November 2022 how the company was intentionally delaying the payment of winnings with the excuse of wanting to present cheques to winners at an event it planned to host.

READ MORE: 8 Months After, Taofeek Salihu’s Informant 247 Yet to Pay Essay Contest Winners

Akintewe and Paul-Osagie have now told FIJ that the company, run by Taofeek Salihu, paid them on February 1, 2023, three months after FIJ’s report and 11 months after the announcement. They said they were never invited to any event even though the company said it hosted the event on January 20, 2023.

Speaking with FIJ, Paul-Osagie said, “Thank you so much for your genuine concern and help. I got the prize money in February.

“They sent a mail explaining their reasons for the delay. Thank you, and a big appreciation to FIJ.”

Akintewe said she received the money and then an email containing an explanation and a transaction receipt.