BBA’s Melvin wins with ONE campaign video

During The Chase’s Charity Week, Big Brother joined forces with the ONE campaign to highlight issues affecting millions of Africans. The housemates were asked to record a public service announcement, addressing an issue, and Big Brother viewers were asked to vote for their favourite video. On Thursday 17 October, which is also International Day for the Eradication of Poverty , the ONE campaign announced that Nigeria’s Melvin Oduah created the winning video taking 51% of the vote. At the announcement, Melvin was joined by some of his The Chase housemates, including South Africa’s Angelo and Koketso and Uganda’s LK4. Melvin reiterated his initial message, calling for the eradication of energy poverty and saying if more resources are implemented, the goal of eradication of poverty can be achieved by 2030. Dr Sipho Moyo, the Africa Director of the ONE campaign said the collaboration between ONE and Big Brother is an amazing platform to highlight and build awareness on poverty issues. Of Melvin’s winning video, Moyo said energy poverty affects 70% of African citizens and she’s glad Melvin decided to focus on this issue as it is not addressed enough. Melvin said that he continues to share the vision of the ONE campaign and energy poverty is something he is familiar with. "I have experienced energy poverty almost every day of my life," he said. As part of the ONE campaign, Melvin will continue to spread the message of eradicating poverty and his winning video will now be presented to the African Union, with the hope that they will not only respond in word, but also action.