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| Careen Joseph, Victor Aihawu and Avoseh-Akwe Senami Oluwakemi |
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM — In a spectacular showcase of heritage, economic dialogue, and international collaboration, Badagry-born cultural and migration expert Mr. Victor Aihawu successfully hosted The Africa Day 2026 Cultural Hangout Festival in the heart of the United Kingdom.
The prestigious event, which took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, transformed Manchester into a lively hub for African creative entrepreneurs, global policy speakers, and diaspora community stakeholders dedicated to promoting cross-border tourism and trade.
Hosted at the upscale Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, the summit served as an strategic sandbox for discussing how physical and digital cultural assets can accelerate destination promotion and fuel sustainable urban development.
As the Founder and CEO of the Cultural Hangout Festival, Victor Aihawu welcomed global delegates and delivered a compelling presentation detailing why preserving historical identity is a crucial economic engine for younger generations.
"We often celebrate culture through food, fashion, and entertainment, but culture is also a powerful tool for education, tourism, business, and community development."
Aihawu encouraged the audience to look beyond seeing local heritage purely as static symbols of the past. Instead, he urged stakeholders to brand these narratives as high-value resources capable of generating foreign direct investment and deepening diplomatic relations between African municipalities and the United Kingdom.
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| Mr. Victor Aihawu and Avoseh-Akwe Senami |
A major high point of the festival was an interactive panel debate featuring insights from public sector administrators working directly in West African tourism corridors.
Ms. Avoseh-Akwe Senami Oluwakemi, Council Manager representing Badagry Local Government of Lagos State, delivered a masterclass on how historic coastal towns can leverage ancestral memories for civic growth. Drawing extensively from Badagry’s landmark monuments and deep-rooted heritage, she demonstrated how local populations reap immediate economic rewards when historical sites are professionally conserved and globally marketed.
Careen Joseph, international tourism strategist, she analyzed open avenues for tourism exchanges. Her talk centered on how targeted cultural partnerships, reciprocal traveling exhibits, and collaborative art projects build resilient, long-term bridges between UK institutions and modern African creative communities.
A Tapestry of Rhythm and Business: Beyond high-level panel discussions, the festival grounds came alive with the sights and sounds of the continent. Attendees experienced traditional drumming performances, live instrumental sets, and an interactive open market where creative entrepreneurs showcased bespoke African fashion, arts, and culinary products.
The highly rated international event was delivered through critical corporate partnerships with leading youth development and real estate organizations, including CareersBar, Reftop Homes Ltd, and the Centre for Youths Integrated Development (CYID).