On Friday 15t March 2019 Munafa M’patie Federation and Sierra Leone Opportunities Industrialization Center (SLOIC), with funding from Child Fund Sierra Leone, have successfully held a graduation ceremony for 80 deprived youths, in different Technical and Vocational skills at the Wusum Hotels, Teko Road Makeni City.
Munafa M”patie Federation, a local implementing organization for Child Fund operating in three chiefdoms in the Bombali district formally unveiled 80 skilled grandaunts from the SLOIC in Makeni who had successfully completed their respective empowerment trainings at a colourful ceremony held at the Wusum Hotel Conference Hall with the Child Fund Country Manager in attendance.
Programs Manager of MunafaM’patie Federation, Mr. Musa Sanu Konteh, in his statement disclosed that they are currently working with Six thousand One Hundred (6,100) children in over Fifty (50) villages. This according to him was made possible through support from Child Fund.
Mr. Konteh continued that they believe that the enhancement of better skills training for the youths would lead towards decent work, a more equitable and inclusive growth and further build on the bridge between education and the labour market. ‘’ Quality and relevant vocational education and training can provide people especially youth, with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for the jobs of today and tomorrow,’’ Mr. Konteh emphasized.
He encouraged the graduates to complete the circle of the bold decisions that they have taken, in order to improve their lives, that of their families and the respective communities that they are coming from. He called on them to ensure that they put to practice all that they have learnt and also maintain the certificates they have received.
Reverend John Sembeka, Principal SLOIC stated that Government has recognized the pivotal role of skills training in the country’s development process. He noted skills training remain very pivotal in increasing their chances for employment.
The Principal re-echoed the numerous benefits, respect and employment opportunities that await them as a result of the various fields they have chosen as careers. He further encouraged them to be job creators themselves rather than waiting on Government or bigger companies to employ them.
The relevance of vocational skills training was the center piece in almost all the presentations in the well-attended ceremony. The Country Director of Child Fund, Mr. James Pimundu, had differed with other speakers and spoke on the power inherent in the individual to make decisions and choices independent of family ,tribe or country. ‘’ Life is the choices one make and so there will be two different outcomes for those that will start work immediately tomorrow, and those of you that will be in the market tomorrow to sell your start up kits,’’ Mr. Pimundu affirmed.
The Child Fund Country Director challenged the graduates to stand firm against all the odds and make informed decisions because they can only mold their worlds themselves.
Josephine Kamara one of the graduates from the Catering department thanked the entire staff and Management of SLOIC, for passing what he had described as an everlasting knowledge to them. She applauded the courage and time of staff members of Munafa M’patie which had provided them with the courage to concentrate and acquire the various skills they have learnt.
The Lion share of the commendations was however reserved for Child Fund. They were described as the drivers behind all the successes and achievements of the program .She thanked all the thousand friends that have been saving their little to ensure that they better their own lives.
The ceremony ended with smiles and laughter on the faces of all the graduates as they received their certificates and start up kits, with the exception of the Welding Department. Camera flashes were seen all around as the graduates took photos with their families and loved ones in their shiny black robes.

In an exclusive interview with this writer on Monday 18th March 2019, the Executive Director of the Civil Rights Coalition, Alphonso Manley said that the good work of Africell across the country, as monitored by his organization, is enough reason for commendation.
As a Civil Society Organization it is part of their duty to monitor the activities of Telecommunications Companies and how they impact on the populace.
In his view, based on investigations carried out through discussions with various sectors of society, Africell has done extremely well in providing services to the people and is leading in its Corporate Social Responsibility.
He disclosed further that his institution has been engaged in the sensitization drive about the importance of sim card registration, data protection, cyber security also mindful of 1 G fraud etc.
“During our engagements we discovered that there were lots of commendations from the public about the operations of Africell,” Manley intimated adding how citizens rated Africell as the best among the rest.
According to him they maintained that the telecommunications giant has lived up to expectations in providing relevant services to various sectors at cheaper costs.
The Executive Director also noted that the provision of internet service, especially to students and school going pupils is exemplary.
“The internet is a conduit to conduct research by students and during our interactions with students we learnt that the bulk of the student population in the country are using Africell’s service to do research for their academic work and it is paying dividends,” he assured.
He stated how students praised the company for providing the service at reasonable and affordable costs.
Alphonso Manley argued that the internet is fast and the charges for data are cheaper and that enhances the academic performance of the students.
Africell, he said, has contributed to the development of the entertainment industry, which is mainly made up of young people. He noted that the company has the highest signing of young Sierra Leonean artists as its Brand Ambassadors, thereby empowering their businesses and developing their talents.
Alphonso Manley further explained that their findings revealed that Africell has empowered many Sierra Leoneans financially through its promotions, the latest being the ‘Keke’ promotion, where several Sierra Leoneans across the country won brand new Kekes and are gainfully employed with them.
It has created more millionaires, he maintained, in the country than any other mobile company. Africell, he underscored, is deeply involved in sponsorship of the Premier League, which is on-going in the country. It is supporting various football clubs across the country.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Africell is ranked the best among the others. It is giving back part of its profit to institutions by way of renovating schools, providing learning materials etc. This, in his view, is what is required from any investor in the country.
The Executive Director, however, admonished Africell to continue with the good work. He praised the company for providing jobs for the youths and improving communities, like the ‘Palampo’ project in Wilberforce. It is the only company funding that project. Africell empowers radio stations, a typical example being the 98.1 radio station.
It is sponsored by Africell as well as other radio stations across the country. These contributions of the company strengthen those institutions and make them viable. Africell, he stressed, deserves to be praised for its good work. He said as a Civil Society Organisation, they will commend when it is necessary to do so and by so doing, they hope to encourage them to do more.

Following last Sunday 17 March 2019 Housemates Salone eviction the current number of competitors now in the House stands at 10. The eviction event was indeed a touching moment as the unexpected occurred leaving sadness in its trail with some of the affected participants and some of their friends bitterly wept. Inevitably, as part of the show, eviction could not be ruled out and as a matter of fact it is one aspect that had been and is still making the contest more competitive and much talked about especially among young people.
Some are expressing the view that out of the latest four (4) that were evicted there is the possibility that two (2) will be recalled this coming weekend wereas another set will be evicted depending on how the number of votes they scoop from the public. However, if that is going to transpire could only be a wait and see situation.
What is certain as of now is that the ongoing close locked battle is an affair among the remaining ten who must convincingly woo the public to vote for them via Africell No 5500. The more the merrier!
According to how the reality show is tailored, the Housemates are expected to display innate talents bordering on creativity, using strong language, displaying humour and nudity all which must captivate the populace and excite them in order to move them to vote for the Housemates they consider are fit and capable to reach the very top.
The organizers of this much talked about show, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell, with support from certain corporate entities have bagged a long list of praise for putting together such a thrilling and breath-taking Realty TV Show with many saying it is indeed a show that is well organized and going on fine which according to those views it is interesting to watch on AYV Television Channel 34.
If again the show is becoming lively and catchy it is the role being played by the intriguing Invisible Chief with the commanding baritone voice giving intermittent instructions to the Housemates to carry out certain assignments or to ask them to articulate themselves well by responding to questions posed.
It is in this regard that the TV Reality Show is considered to be the conduit of youth empowerment.
So far so good we have witnessed fairness pervading the competition and there has not been a known instance of any foul play. There are rumours that certain fans of the various Housemates have expressed dissatisfaction over the eviction of their favourites. Cognisance, however, must be taken that in any competition which is keen there may be apprehensions and conjectures as it unfolds but the truth of the matter is that there will be winners and losers. The 2019 Housemates Salone is no exception especially when a whooping star prize of one hundred million Leones (Le 100,000,000) awaits the ultimate winner.
We must be courageous to accept the outcome especially as it is a straightforward contest. May Common Sense Prevail!

In the wake of the ugly and distasteful incident that occurred at a residence situate on 20 Guard Street,in the East End of Freetown, in which an Indian national, Pankaj Kumar Panchal, popularly known as Romeo together with two Sierra Leonean accomplices, were accused and apprehended for attempted murder of a mobile phone dealer, Bai Koroma, at the above-mentioned premise, the Sierra Leone Police on 18 March 2019 convened a Press Conference to give an update of their preliminary findings .
The Press engagement was held at the Police Headquarters in Freetown and present were representatives of various Civil Society Organisations, over fifty journalists from the electronic and print media. Also in attendance were the Director of Crime Services – AIG Mohamed Braima-Jah, Mr. Rajesh Hemnani representing the Indian Community in Sierra Leone and Mr. Harish Agnani representing the Indian Consulate.
It was stated by the Police Media Team that they are presently looking at an issue that may be related to attempted murder and robbery with violence.
Head of the Team, Brima Kamara, further revealed that medical request form(s) have been issued out to the victim, Bai Koroma and Pankaj Kumar Panchal, for medical examination.
“The premises of the suspect was methodically searched for evidential materials to aid the investigation,” he intimated adding that nothing like body parts or human blood were discovered in any container, as it was and is rumoured.
The Police Media Boss also informed those present at the conference that a team of Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) lifted blood samples found on the scene for forensic analysis.
It was again emphatically maintained that attacking Indians for a crime allegedly committed by only one individual should be considered unfair and absolutely criminal in nature
“The Police are out and about patrolling the streets, as usual and they are under strict instruction to arrest anyone found to be attacking any Indian,” it was highlighted furthering hat the general public should trust the Police to carry out a fair and expeditious investigation into the matter;
During the Press Conference it was reiterated that the general public is urged to disregard some of the social media stuff making rounds in respect of this incident;
“As partners in development we are calling upon the Press to do fair, accurate and balance reporting of the matter so as not to ignite anything sinister against Indians in our society,” the Police enjoined.
Climaxing the briefing, a Press Release signed by Harish Agnani and Rajesh Hemnani ,on behalf of the Indian Consulate and the Indian Community respectively, stating their position, was dished out to the Press.
Going further to update the Press the Police disclosed that Bai Koroma, the victim, is a twenty-five year old school leaver who is engaged in the sales of mobile phones, as a shop assistant to a Mr. Williams Moses of No. 2A Goderich Street. Bai Koroma came to know Pankaj Kumar Panchal, the suspect, in 2017, in the course of his trade.
The suspect, at their first contact, bought two pieces of phones from the victim and they have been in a business relationship all this while. The suspect has, on several occasions, bought several phones from the victim.
On 16 March 2019, the suspect – Pankaj Kumar Panchal told the victim that he needed eight phones for his boys and asked the victim to go with the said phones to him in his residence on 17 March 2019. Coincidentally, the victim was sent by his boss to collect Le 50,000,000.00 from a customer at Ferry Junction, which he did. Both the phones and the money, according to the victim, were in his possession up to the following day (17/03/19).
The suspect (Pankaj Kumar Panchal) hired two other boys (who are now suspects in this matter and helping with the investigation) to go to his house, staying in wait for the arrival of the victim. Suspect (Pankaj Kumar Panchal) called the victim to his home at No. 20, Guard Street, urging him to go with the phones.
According to the victim, he took the bag containing the money and the phones to the said location and that no sooner he arrived and entered the residence of the suspect which is on the 5th Floor of the said facility, the suspect locked the door and then the other two accomplices fell on the victim, hitting him with sticks and stabbing him with a kitchen knife, until he became helpless. However, the struggle and noise alerted the other residents who went on the scene and also informed the police.

Searches were conducted on the premises and the knife and the stick were recovered and taken as exhibits by the police. Apart from the blood stains on the walls and the floor, no container of blood was found, no human parts, nor anything suggestive of engagement in rituals was found as alleged by public rumours.

Further, before the police arrived on the scene, a large irate crowd had already arrived at the premises of the suspect and comprehensively vandalised the facility.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Alie Kabba on Monday 18th March, 2019 informed Investors from Egypt that the new government under the ‘New Direction’ Leadership of His Excellency President Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio is focused on moving Sierra Leone away from dependency on foreign aid to development.

He made this statement during a courtesy call on him at his Tower Hill office, Freetown by some Egyptian Investors who are in the country to express interest in investing in the energy sector, infrastructure, Marine and Fisheries and Agriculture and Food Security sectors.

The Hon. Minister in his address said the courtesy call was an indication that their government is sincerely focused on economic diplomacy by attracting trade and investment opportunities.

He added that, the call also demonstrated their resilient efforts in attracting investors wherever they go to improve the private sector in order to create more job opportunities for the young people to move away from poverty.

The Hon. Minister recalled that during his visit to Egypt in December last year, he met with his Egyptian Counterpart and that he was inspired by their common understanding that, they need to deepen the ties between their countries, promoting trade and investment opportunities and above all to ensure that there is deeper people-to-people exchange ties between the two countries.

Historically, Minister Kabba added that the two countries have a very strong friendly relationship and that he is aware that His Excellency is particularly interested in exchanging more ties between the two countries now that Egypt is the Chair of the AU.

Sierra Leone, he told the Investor is an attractive destination for investment opportunities assuring them of a political conducive environment.

He said as a government, they are working to create an enabled investment environment in order to ensure long term investment opportunities in the country.

He disclosed that he is being in constant talks with the Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone in ensuring that trade and investment opportunities flourished in the country to ensure a win-win cooperation.

The Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Egypt, Ambassador Morie Fofana in his brief remarks said the investors are here to seek possibilities to contribute to the development of the country.

The Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone His Excellency Maher Almahdy Atta Alsayed assured the Hon. Minister that the investors will meet the expectations of the government.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Elsewedy Electric Company for Africa, Mr Mohamed Atef said his company is an integrated energy solution division and infrastructure service provider that is keen to support the country and share knowledge with their counterparts in the country.

He said they are very keen to support business opportunities, water treatment, infrastructure, telecom among others and that they are ready to work in the country to help develop the country and make life better for its people.

• Over 1,000 African entrepreneurs from African 54 countries to participate in the 2019 Cohort
• Event to be livestreamed on TEFConnect – Africa’s digital entrepreneurship hub

LAGOS, NIGERIA, March 18, 2019 – The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading African philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, will announce the selected applicants for the 2019 cohort of the Foundation’s flagship Entrepreneurship Programme on March 22, 2019. The event, which marks the 5th round of the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme, will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Every year, the Tony Elumelu Foundation opens its application portal to African entrepreneurs, with businesses of less than three years old. Through its $100million Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation empowers 1,000 entrepreneurs annually, who receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to mentors, a 12-week training programme and opportunities to promote their businesses to a global audience. All applicants receive access to TEFConnect, Africa’s digital entrepreneurial hub, which provides access to networks, training, further capital sources and business opportunities.

As a means of cascading its proven entrepreneurial tool kit to the huge numbers of applicants, the Foundation launched in 2018, TEFConnect, the digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs. The platform, which has currently over 400,000 users, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to network, receive training and forge business partnerships to scale their businesses beyond physical borders.

In the five years since the Foundation launched its Entrepreneurship Programme, it has empowered 4,000 African entrepreneurs directly and an additional 470 entrepreneurs supported by the Foundation’s partners. The Foundation recently appointed Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu as CEO effective from April 1. Mrs. Ugochukwu succeeds Parminder Vir, OBE, who will continue to lend her experience and expertise as a member of the Foundation’s Advisory Board.

The incoming CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, emphasised the importance of partnership in reaching additional entrepreneurs beyond the Foundation’s annual commitment of 1,000 entrepreneurs.

“Each year we see a significant uplift in applicants. Our execution partner, Accenture Development Partnerships, are currently reviewing and finalising the applications. Over 215,000 African entrepreneurs applied from across 54 African countries, up from 151,000 applications last year, with an increase in female representation from 62,000 in 2018 to 90,000 in 2019. These rising figures demonstrate the burning desire of the African entrepreneur to develop our continent, and we must urgently convert this passion into viable businesses to develop our continent.

Our Programme has developed a robust mechanism for directing capital effectively and efficiently, to those who can deploy it in local communities with the greatest impact. We are looking forward to working with partners to collaborate with us, to scale the platform and process we have created. Empowering African entrepreneurs must be a shared responsibility to create economic prosperity for all”, she said.

Speaking on the Entrepreneurship Programme, Osato Noah, West Africa Lead, Accenture Development Partnerships, said:
“We have worked with the Tony Elumelu Foundation since the inception of the Entrepreneurship Programme. In 2015, the first round of the Programme saw us review 20,000 applications for the Foundation and this year we reviewed over 215,000 applications. The sheer diversity and speed at which applications have scaled in the last four years have been incredible. We commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation for their commitment to the transparency of the programme, and Accenture is proud to partner in the delivery of this Pan-African project.”

The Selection Announcement will also feature a Nigerian TEF Alumni Meet up, as well as an interactive dialogue with TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON.

One of Sierra Leone’s typical indigenous Companies, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd.), on Saturday 16th March 2019, officially opened its latest fuel station at Wara Wara- Yagala Chiefdom within the heart of Koinadugu district.
Present at the ceremony were Paramount Chief Gbawuru Mansaray III of the chiefdom, Paramount Chief Marah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NP-SL Ltd, Michael Carrol, General Manager of NP, Kobi Walker, Bernard Sisay, Marketing Manager of NP, Head of the military in the district, Major Williams, Dr. Sheku Sesay, Director Alhaji Rahman (Board Member), LUC of Kabala Police Division Lansana Koroma, the Petroleum Agency Director, Mr. Victor Sawyer, the Kabala NP Dealer, Wurie Bah, Management and staff of NP including Mr. Aboko-Cole the officer who is heading the lubricant department of NP, Mr. Gaima, the officer responsible for NP Gas, the press and residents of Kabala.
In his welcome address, PC Gbawuru Mansaray the III expressed his sincere gratitude to the company for making establishing the new NP station in that part of the country noting that the company will help to alleviate the problem of NGOs, MDAs and ordinary people accessing fuel.
He praised the Management of the company for raising the bar high in the industry further expressing hope that more stations will opened in the district.
The Paramount Chief cautioned residents that they must be mindful of the fact that the fuel which will be sold in the district is for Kabala and should not be taken outside for sale saying that residents must take ownership of the facility.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Management and staff of NP-SL Ltd, the General Manager, Kobi Walker stressed that NP-SL is 100% owned by Sierra Leoneans.
“Not a single share of the company is owned by any politician,” he further disclosed adding that 35 Sierra Leonean workers sacrificed their severance packages and benefits and used such to establish the company.
“What is being done in Koinadugu is as a result of the sacrifice which those 35 Sierra Leoneans made in 1996,” he stated going further to reveal that today NP is in the Republic of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Liberia.
“These materialized because of the sacrifice, vision and passion of those Sierra Leoneans,” he underscored with pride. He admonished residents in the district to own the company as it is an indigenous one.
Kobi Walker pointed that every single litre of fuel residents will purchase from NP-SL they must realize that the money will stay in the country and used to undertake other development projects stating that on the other hand, foreign companies take the bulk of the money from their sales out of the country to build their own countries.
He noted that the sacrifices of those 35 Sierra Leoneans paved the way for them to have jobs and admonished Sierra Leoneans to support the company to reach higher heights and provide the opportunity for generations yet unborn to benefit.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NP-SL, Michael Carrol, said the reason for choosing Koinadugu is because of good security and the culture of the people. “The company is encouraged by the security of the district and we are looking forward for greater things to unfold,” he expressed optimism.
He further buttressed the point of the General Manager that NP-SL is purely owned by Sierra Leoneans and no politician has a stake in the company.
“This new station marks the 38th fuel station opened by the company within the country,” he revealed.
Further buttressing the statements of his bosses, the Marketing Manager of NP-SL, Bernard Sisay maintained that the latest investment is a demonstration of the company’s commitment and passion to serve the whole country. He thanked the Paramount Chief and the people of Koinadugu district for the warm welcome they received. “This latest station is NP’s new baby,” he euphemistically stated assuring the audience that NP will do all in its power to ensure that there is no shortage of fuel in the district emphasizing that they will not let the people down.
In his brief statement, the Local Unit Commander of the Kabala Police Division, Lansana Koroma, assured residents and the company that as far as security is concern they are on top of things.
He expressed appreciation to residents in the chiefdom for their intermittent assistances to the Police which have made it possible for that part of the country to be safe. He warned dealers and others to keep within the dictates of the law and avoid smuggling fuel to neighboring countries.
Other speakers praised NP for their intervention in that part of the country for its investment.
The vote of thanks was given by the dealer of the new NP station, Mr. Wurie Bah. The ceremony was climaxed by cultural display and social interactions.

Many viewers watching the Housemate Salone 2019 Reality TV show both at home and abroad are identifying with the typical Sierra Leonean home setting regardless of its pomp and comfort. What the organisers of this show, the giant of Communication, African Young Voices (AYV) and the giant of Telecommunication, Africell, are seeking to bring to the fore is that regardless of status, the typical home setting is virtually the same, enforcing the view that there is unity in diversity. The show is now the talk of the town.

As the scenes reveal tensions brewing between housemates and the freedom of expression, a characteristic of our society and how these apparent disagreements are resolved, shows the uniqueness of the Sierra Leonean society. It is a natural fact that keeping a group of people in an isolated place with no means of communication to the outside world, will bring out the best and the worst of them. Mindful of these factors, the mystery voice engages the housemates individually on their challenges. Like the father of a family, the mystery voice gives various tasks to the housemates to perform, some, filled with fun and others bordering on domestic chores. These intermittent interventions provide the participants with some respite and often serve to cool down tension, as is typical in any of our home setting.

It is should be noted that the housemates are undoubtedly talented as they could be seen mimicking people to near perfection. The show further seeks to expose these hidden talents and encourage the housemates to grapple with their mistakes and develop their strengths. By so doing, 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show is empowering them and moulding their talents for further use in society and the world at large. Whilst there are scenes of heated arguments and exchange of harsh words, this is not unique to any home setting. They always happen. This is the essence of the Reality TV Show. It is a testimony that nothing is stage managed; everything is as real as it could be in such settings.

To get maximum participation and transparency, members of the public are offered the opportunity to vote to keep their favourite housemate in the house; hence the various contestants are given opportunities to appeal to their fans and the viewing public to vote in their favour via Africell No: 5500.

Housemates Salone further provide the participants with the opportunity to learn more games, effectively equipping them with alternate past-time to other vices. This message is being passed on in practical terms to the viewing public that alternate past-times are available for recreational purposes, especially for young viewers. The fun exhibited in the show keeps the public glued to their TV sets for as long as they can. Desirous of empowering the youths, Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell, are implementing interesting programs that will captivate the minds of young viewers and re-orientate their minds to engage in fruitful endeavours that will benefit them and the nation. As the saying goes, ‘the youths are the future leaders’, but nurturing an efficient and effective youth force could be a sine quo non to a brighter future.

As every weekend evictions of Housemates take place and today being the 18th of March 2019 (few more weeks to Mid-April), the light at the end of the tunnel is getting nearer and the race tenser. Housemates are not oblivious of this fact and will be putting their best to ensure they bag the ultimate prize of Le100 million. As consolation, every house mate, with exception of the winner, will earn Le100,000 for every day they spend in the house. This generosity of the organisers is an indication that the performances of the housemates are commendable and if they drop out of the race, it is only because they fail to get the maximum vote of the others who remain in the house.

Meanwhile off the setting of the house, the show has generated discussions in different quarters, not particularly about how it was organised or is being rolled out, but rather bordering on the performances and characters of the various Housemates presently in the House. Most often, the discussion get heated as fans of the various housemates sought to convince their peers to vote for their choice contestant. This healthy debate and discussions is even seen on the social media, an indication of the popularity that the show has raised among Sierra Leoneans. Some observers say that the show has taken over discussions which were formerly dominated by football premier league. All shades of opinions are expressed in an atmosphere of peace.

It should not surprise viewers if some of the housemates appear sexy by the kind of dresses they wear; after all, the show is about housemates in a house. One should not expect them to be fully dressed in readiness for a party, but rather be in their normal home attire performing various chores. This makes the scenes exiting, interesting, natural, real and inviting, culminating in healthy arguments between husband and wife brothers and sisters in almost every home, as they each watch the performance of their favourite housemate and attempt to woo the other to support their choice. Interestingly market women could be seen debating about the show and often times these discussion draws the customers in as they too lend their own voices to the debate.

AYV Television Channel 34, has become the country’s hottest TV channel and praises are being heaped on both the AYV and Africell for airing the Reality Tv show on a 24 hour basis. Some bankers, business people and other members of the public say that the Reality TV show provides some form of relief from the stress of work and the hustle and bustle of life, a kind of therapy. On the other hand what is there for the participants? The Housemates Salone 2019 was created by Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell to provide a platform the young competitors to benefit from motivational lectures and increase their knowledge on various issues and help in shaping their characters and fluency of speech. It further enhances their ability to become public speakers.

Both African Young Voices (AYV) and Africell are renowned for promoting young talents. AYV has provided opportunities for young people to have their voices heard, to learn new skills and meaningfully contribute to overall national development (Youth Empowerment).
Africell, in like manner has been supporting various entertainment activities and even young artists in the country with the avowed aim of catching them young and enabling young people to realise their potentials and bring them out.

Whilst not only providing entertainment to viewers, the widely watched Reality TV Show on AYV TV Channel 34, Housemates Salone has also provided a marketing platform for many corporate and business institutions such as Banks, business houses, entertainment entities etc, who are effectively making use of the channel to advertise their products and services. Products like the Brewery’s Star and other products are being consumed in the house; posters of other business entities are posted on various strategic positions in the house, thereby effectively marketing these business entities to the wider public. Thus the Reality TV show is contributing towards the growth of businesses and empowering youths, whilst entertaining and reducing stress of the public. No wonder it is the widely watch TV show across the country.