Failure

Wisdom Alfred, the internet sensation known as Dr. H20, shot to fame when a video of him wildly promoting Aquafina Water took social media by storm. The 22-year-old’s charisma didn’t just capture likes and shares—it also caught the attention of Aquafina itself, which invested N8m into his water business, among other support. But in a shocking twist, the investment took a nosedive. Speaking to Temitope Adetunji, he explains why he thinks mysterious forces are behind his predicament

Can you tell us about the initial excitement when the company invested N8m in your business?

First, I would like to clarify something. People kept saying that the company gave me N15m. The truth is that they are mixing it all up, I only received goods worth N8m.

Yes, it all started after the viral video of me promoting Aquafina Water at a busy bus garage in Onitsha.

My unique approach attracted a lot of attention, and the company decided to sponsor my business with a total investment of N8m. They provided equipment, including machines, a generator, freezer, and paid for three years of shop rent.

At first, I was so excited and grateful for the opportunity. At the time, it felt like a life-changing moment. I was overjoyed, so hopeful, and thankful. But soon after, things took a bad turn. I couldn’t account for the money, and despite all the support from Aquafina, the business started to fall apart.

I was completely confused, as there was no clear reason for the losses. After seeking spiritual guidance, I realised that the collapse might have been due to spiritual forces. It’s heartbreaking to think that despite all the efforts and resources, the business still failed. Now, the situation has become unbearable, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve let the company down.

What exactly led to your financial losses?

To be honest, I’m struggling to fully understand what happened. Last year October, Aquafina Water gave me goods worth N8m to invest in my water business because of the way I promoted their product at a busy bus garage in Onitsha, which the company saw in a video that went viral. Everything seemed to be going well, but then I noticed that I couldn’t account for the money, neither the capital nor the profit. It was like the funds just disappeared. I kept asking myself, “What’s going on?” I have records of the water I sold. I bought full truckloads, yet I can’t explain where the money went. I believe it’s something beyond human understanding, something spiritual.

What steps did you take when you realised things were going wrong?

Aquafina didn’t just give me the goods and do everything they did for me; they also assigned an assistant for me to report to. When I noticed the problem, I invited him to my place of business. He came, took pictures, videos, and documented everything. But despite my pleas, he never gave me feedback. I kept asking him, “Have you reported to the company? What’s going on?” Instead of helping, he started insulting me, calling me names, and accusing me of wasting the money. I felt abandoned.

Why didn’t you approach the company directly?

I felt it wasn’t proper to bypass the person assigned to me. I thought the right thing was to keep reporting to him. But now, I regret not going directly to the company myself.

Where is your business located?

My shop is located in Anambra State, but I’m currently in Lagos for a job interview. Since the business collapsed, I’ve been searching for other ways to improve my life.

How are you feeling about everything?

This situation has brought me so much shame and emotional pain. People who once admired my work now point fingers at me, spreading false rumours that I squandered the money on sports betting, clubbing, and reckless lifestyle.

None of that is true, but the weight of these accusations is heavy. It’s heartbreaking and isolating. I feel like I’m losing myself, and it’s pushing me deeper into depression.

It’s not just the financial loss that hurts; it’s the disappointment from people I care about. Everywhere I go, there’s a constant reminder of how I’ve failed, and it’s difficult to shake off the guilt and shame. I feel lost, and sometimes I don’t know how to face the world. It’s overwhelming, and there are days when I just want to disappear. My heart is heavy, and I’m struggling to see a way out of this.

In the viral video where you were promoting Aquafina Water, you sounded well-spoken. What is your educational background?

I only have SSCE. I wanted to further my education, but there was financial constraints. When the opportunity to start the business came, I saw it as my chance to make something of myself.

How has your family reacted?

When my mother found out what happened, it broke her heart. She cried over the phone, and hearing her voice filled with so much pain made everything even harder for me. My dad passed away some time ago, and since then, my mum has been my rock and support system. But now, I can hear the worry and sadness in her voice every time we talk.

She kept trying to encourage me, telling me that everything would be okay and that I shouldn’t give up, but I know she’s hurting deeply.

It hurts me to know that she is so worried about me, especially because I wanted to make her proud of me with the business. Seeing her distress makes me feel like I’ve let her down. She has always been strong for me, and now I feel like I’ve added to her burden. It’s difficult, and I wish I could take away her pain.

When exactly did the business start, and when did you realise it had failed?

I started the business in October 2023, and by May 2024, I realised it had collapsed.

You mentioned that spiritual forces may be involved. What led you to believe this?

It’s hard to explain, but there’s no logical reason for the collapse. I didn’t misuse the money, yet both the capital and profit vanished. I believe there are unseen forces at play. I’ve been having sleepless nights, my mind is heavy, and I feel like I’m losing control. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. If people doubt me, I pray God forgives them because they don’t understand what I’m going through.

Have you experienced business failure before, or is this your first time?

This is the first time I’ve experienced such a downfall.

Can you tell us more about the spiritual guidance you sought?

I didn’t go to any native doctor or traditional healer. I went straight to a man of God because I was desperate for answers. Before I could even begin explaining my situation, he looked at me and said that I was under a spiritual attack.

His words were shocking because deep down, I already felt that something wasn’t right; something beyond the physical. He told me that what I was going through wasn’t ordinary and that unseen forces were working against me.

Looking back at how the business partnership with the company didn’t turn out as expected, what key lessons have you learned from this experience, and if given another opportunity, how would you handle things differently?

I would be incredibly grateful if I were given another chance. I truly believe that, by God’s grace, the spiritual attack that caused my downfall is behind me, and with renewed strength, I am more prepared than ever to make things right. It deeply hurts that the initial business opportunity didn’t go well, especially considering the faith the company placed in me. If given another chance, I would apply the lessons I’ve learned from this experience and be more cautious in managing the business, both financially and spiritually. I’m confident that this time, everything will work out well, and I will be able to repay the trust and support of those who believed in me.

He gave me specific instructions and personal tasks to do, and I followed his guidance carefully. It wasn’t just about prayer but also about changing the way I interact with people. He said not everyone around me was happy with my progress, and that there could be people envious of my success, even those I consider close.

That part really hit me hard because it made me question everything and everyone around me.

Since then, I’ve become much more cautious, but it’s still a struggle because I don’t know who to trust anymore. I’ve lost so much already, and the fear of losing more makes me feel even more vulnerable. But I’m holding on to my faith, believing that God will turn things around, even if it feels impossible right now.

You mentioned depression. Have you received any support from friends or loved ones?

Yes, I have siblings and supportive friends who have tried to keep me going. There was even a time when I wanted to end it all. One day, I was in such a dark phase that I nearly put poison in my food. My friends stopped me just in time, and I cried bitterly. It’s been incredibly hard, but their support has kept me going.

How have you been managing the overwhelming feelings of shame and depression?

Coping with shame and depression has been a journey. I try to surround myself with supportive friends and family who uplift me. Talking openly about my feelings helps me release some of the burdens I carry inside.

You mentioned that rumours are being spread about you. How have these accusations impacted your relationships with friends and acquaintances?

The rumours have taken a toll on my relationships. I noticed that some friends have distanced themselves, which is painful because it feels like they believe the false narratives are being spread. It’s disheartening to see how people can quickly jump to conclusions without knowing the whole story. On the other hand, I’ve also discovered who my true friends are — those who have stood by me and offered support during this difficult time. It’s a mixed bag, and I’m learning to focus on the positive relationships that uplift me rather than dwell on the negativity.