IT’S a sweltering Thursday Morning. I make my way to the MTN Mega Registration located a stone throw from my house. Mega Registration Centre? I was hearing about that for the first time. What makes these centres ‘mega’ anyway?

Whatever happened to the numerous registration centres that dot the nooks and crannies of the country before the introduction of the Mega Registration Centres? I guess, I was about to find the answers to the questions.

Truth be told, the SIM registration exercise was something that I would rather not do. Barely two months ago, I visited an MTN Registration Centre only to update my SIM details. To think that I would have to relive the experience again was certainly not an interesting prospect for me. In fact, I had toyed with the idea of doing away with my MTN SIM line and switching to another network provider, but that may not exactly be a smart idea since I had been using my the line for as far back as I can remember.

Then again, in addition to a barrage of SMS I had received from the network reminding me to go register my line or risk being cut off completely, I got a call from a pleasant sounding lady, obviously a staff of MTN, urging me to go complete the registration formalities. Thus I decided to give it another shot. This time would be my last attempt, I vowed to myself. Since I had heard of MTN setting up a Mega Registration Centres, I decided to quell my curiosity by visiting the place.

The first thing that struck me just outside the popular AOSEE Shopping centre, where the mega Centre was, located was the ambience. The entire setting did not seem like the usual business-like set up of the other registration centres.

There was a carnival like atmosphere with music booming from giant speakers placed right in front of the venue. I had to do a double take just to be sure that I was in the right place. Were it not for the presence of pretty ladies dressed in MTN branded T-shirts, I probably would have thought I was in a party. Just as I was trying to take in the sights and sounds of the place, a pretty, fair skinned lady walked up to me.

“Hi, I’m Mary. Welcome to MTN Mega SIM Registration Centre. How may I help you?” Before I could reply her, a loud voice interrupted. “Hello. Please come over to AOSEE here in Festac to update your SIM details. I just finished doing mine own. It’s not crowded and I completed mine in less than 10 minutes. I looked up only to see an elderly woman, probably in her 50s, having a conversation over her phone.

Obviously excited at having completed her SIM registration, she was busy calling friends and family to do same. Encouraged by this, I was ushered by Mary into the spacious area. While the place was teeming with MTN subscribers who like me had trooped to the place to fulfill the SIM registration requirements, concerted efforts had been made to make the place as comfortable as possible. Subscribers were all orderly even as they patiently waited their turn to complete the exercise. I took my place in the queue of people waiting to be attended to.

The gaily-decorated seats made the place look more like the venue of a wedding than a SIM Registration centre. There were even fans and water dispenser’s placed in strategic locations around the hall. I felt welcome already. Not long afterwards it was my turn to do my SIM registration. I was ushered in before a young, amiable MTN attendant.

Just as we settled into the business of the day, it happened! There was a sudden stir in the hall. I looked up and standing beside me was Dr. Sid. Yes, the same Dr. Sid of the Supreme Mavin Dynasty (SMD), responsible for a host of hit including Surulere, Kabiyesi, and Over the Moon amongst others. The entire hall erupted in excitement as people scrambled to take selfies with the star.

What could this super star be doing here? Has he come to update his SIM details like the rest of us here?

“Hi guys, am here as an MTN Ambassador to show support to you. Thanks for supporting and standing by the MTN brand; we really appreciate you for taking time out to complete your SIM registration,” Dr. Sid said.

Even though it took me about 10 minutes to complete the process, I hung around to chat with Dr. Sid. Call me star struck I won’t mind. It is not every time you run into a superstar.

After going round the Mega Registration Centre to encourage both the subscribers and the MTN attendants, the Vetinary doctor turn music superstar took over the task of registering the subscribers. The surprise on the faces of the subscribers when they discovered that Dr. Sid was about to screen them is better imagined.

While the subscribers had fun interacting with the artiste, Delta State born Emmanuel Ekere Uwomano stood out of the lot. “Sid, I am a rapper and I need you to sign me,” he said.

Apparently not fazed by the presence of Dr. Sid, Uwomano, an aspiring rapper took on the Mavin artiste in a rap battle. While Uwomano was impressive, he had to bow to the superior rap prowess of Dr. Sid.

All too soon it was time for Dr. Sid to leave. After another round of selfies he bade the elated crowd bye. That was my cue to leave. On the whole, it had been a productive and memorable day for me. I not only had a stress free time updating my SIM details, I had fun hanging out with Dr. Sid.