A pair of Nigerian booksellers delightedly celebrated the gift of $10,000 of free Christian products on the final day of the show.

Ibironke Akeni and Felicia Ogbemudia were chosen as winners of the Christian Retailing $10,000 giveaway that drew a crowd of around 200 retailers to publisher Strang Communications' booth to witness the prize-giving.

Akeni's Glorious Books and Bibles store in Lagos, Nigeria-for which Ogbemudia serves as U.S.-based buying representative, based in Powder Springs, Ga.-was selected at random from several hundred entries received during the week.

Retailers had been invited to enter the drawing by leaving forms at the booths of the 40 exhibitors sponsoring the giveaway. Each participating company donated $250 of free product-including books, Bibles, music, gifts and services.

"I was so happy," said a smiling Akeni after the announcement. "I wasn't expecting this at all. It will be a great help to us indeed. It will boost our capital and our financial base."

Ogbemudia was less surprised. "I told everybody I was going to win," she said. "We prayed about it this morning (before the drawing)."

The winning order book was presented by Christian Retailing Advertising Director Dave Condiff, who said that the promotion had been arranged in association with advertising partners to help boost traffic at the show. "And, we wanted this to be a real blessing to the winner, too," he said. "We were thrilled to be able to be a part of it."

Runner-up in the drawing, receiving $500 in free products from Strang Communications, was Ngozi Ohiagy from Risen Splendor Ltd., in Lagos, Nigeria. Third place and $250 in free Strang materials went to Christine Rich of The Good Book Store in Sequim, Wash.

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