Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. and Africell CEO Mr. Shadi GerjawiThe highly anticipated Housemates Salone Season 4 officially began on Friday, July 18, 2025, with the announcement that the winner would receive SLE 1 million (or one billion in old Leones) and a fully paid trip to Dubai—the show’s largest star prize in history.
First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio launched the event at Chapter One Night Club & Restaurant in Freetown, calling for a cultural shift in Sierra Leone’s reality TV landscape, emphasising the importance of decency, dignity, and purpose-driven content.
“Let us clean up the game of reality TV shows in this country,” she said.”Today, we are not only launching a clean and decent Housemates Salone show; we are also promising to support and promote it until the end.”
As the Distinguished Guest of Honour, Dr. Bio thanked AYV Media Empire CEO Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. and Africell CEO Mr. Shadi Gerjawi for their significant contributions to promoting youth development and national branding through entertainment.
“If ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ succeeded, it was because of your unwavering support,” she said, praising their contributions to national campaigns and youth empowerment.
She also encouraged this year’s housemates to use the platform to showcase their creativity, discipline, and leadership, noting that Sierra Leone’s bold move to compete with Big Brother Naija has put the country on the global entertainment map.
The event drew dignitaries and stakeholders such as Minister of Information and Communications Chernor Bah, Tourism and Youth Ministry officials, former housemates, diplomats, and journalists.
Nabeela Farida Tunis, the Minister of Tourism, emphasised that Housemates Salone is a tool for rebranding Sierra Leone, attracting tourists, and redefining the country’s culture.
“This is one of our flagship entertainment events and an important vehicle for international exposure,” she said.
Africell CEO Shadi Gerjawi delivered the event’s biggest news, confirming that this season’s winner will receive SLE 1 million and a fully sponsored trip to Dubai, with all MPox health precautions strictly enforced throughout the live-streamed show.
AYV CEO Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. emphasised the season’s theme, “Clean Game,” as a pledge to eliminate indecency, vulgarity, and inappropriate behaviour from the show.
“The game’s been contaminated. We need to clean it. “There will be no more’mammy cuss,’ nudity, or bad behaviour,” he declared.
Both Navo and Gerjawi urged Sierra Leoneans to support a more empowering and values-based entertainment model that inspires youth and reflects national pride.
Minister Chernor Bah echoed those sentiments, stating that Housemates Salone is consistent with President Bio’s vision of empowering local talent and positioning Sierra Leone as a hub for creative excellence.
“The President and First Lady believe in the power of entertainment as a catalyst for development,” he stated.
As Season 4 begins, Housemates Salone promises not only life-changing prizes, but also a platform to spark national discussions about values, youth potential, and cultural pride.
