14th November, 2014
Funsho Arogundade
Haiti-American singer, songwriter and music producer, Wyclef Jean, has recorded an African version of a HIV awareness song with Nigeria’s Chidinma, to increase HIV/AIDS awareness on the continent.
Olufemi Ashipa, brand manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria, disclosed that the anti-HIV hit-track would feature prominently on the final episode of Coke Studio Africa Season 2, during which a tag-line for downloading the song would be made available.
He said in support of global efforts to halt mother to child transmission of HIV in Africa, the soft drink giant has joined forces with anti-HIV campaign group, RED Foundation, leveraging its unique entertainment platform, Coke Studio, to battle the scourge by raising awareness of the need to provide anti-retroviral drugs for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
“Music transcends all barriers – age, language, distance, so it is a vital tool for delivering such an important message across a continent as diverse as Africa.” Ashipa said. He added that Wyclef’s anti-HIV song, which features Chidinma and five other Coke Studio Season 2 artistes, will be played during the final episode of the series.
“We expect that both Wyclef and Chidinma would be available as we approach the season finale, so Nigerians can phone in during radio programmes to speak with them and also enter a fun lyrics contest to win free airtime,” he added.
The partnership with RED Foundation further expands Coca-Cola’s interventions in the fight against HIV in Nigeria. Wyclef Jean is an ambassador for Red Foundation.