Big Brother Africa’s Melvin Oduah Wins Video Chase

As the world commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the ONE Campaign, has announced that Melvin Oduah from Nigeria has won the African Union (AU) video competition that housemates of ‘Big Brother Africa: The Chase’ participated in during this year’s Charity Week. Melvin’s video calls on the AU and African governments to end energy poverty on the continent.

According to a statement issued in Jonesburg, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is observed on 17 October every year, following a 1993 United Nations General Assembly resolution that designated the day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.
The statement indicated that Melvin’s message follows collaboration between Big Brother Africa and ONE during the show’s charity week, which took place in August.

As part of the week, housemates undertook a series of tasks centred on educating viewers about the most pressing poverty issues facing the continent, while highlighting possible solutions. Each housemate also taped a short video message calling on the AU to do more to eradicate extreme poverty on the continent. Viewers then voted on the best video using Big Brother Africa’s online platform.

A total of 82,474 Big Brother Africa viewers from across Africa participated in the voting, where Melvin emerged the winner with 42,170 votes representing 51 per cent of the vote.
Commenting on the video, the organisation’s Africa Director, Mr. Sipho S. Moyo, said: “We, at ONE, are immensely grateful to Mnet and the BBA housemates for using the charity week in the BBA house to highlight the critical poverty issues affecting our continent. No doubt, the dedication and commitment they showed had the impact in inspiring millions of their viewers to join the fight against extreme poverty.

“Melvin’s message supports this year’s call to action for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which is to raise awareness about the fight against poverty and the need to accelerate action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It is, therefore, exciting to have African youth taking a lead on continental issues and to have the AU and the world listen.”
Reacting to the news, Melvin, who was present at the function, said he was elated that his video was chosen as the one to be presented to the AU, but said he would only have a sense of fulfillment when he sees the demands being put into action.

“During charity week I was surprised to learn that, not only can extreme poverty be virtually eliminated, but we can actually do it by 2030 if we get our priorities right. This is why I am excited to do my part by personally making this call on the AU to do more to eradicate extreme poverty. I hope others will join the movement by becoming members of ONE,” he said.

Melvin’s video highlights the problem of energy poverty, which affects at least 70 per cent of African citizens. This severely hampers life-saving hospital services including refrigeration of vaccines, job and educational opportunities, agricultural production as well the safety and security of women and girls. Energy poverty is just one of the pressing issues for which ONE is campaigning in the fight to end extreme poverty in Africa.

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