Akara Festival Nigeria partners Brazil’s Acarajé Festival to celebrate shared heritage with food, fashion, music, and fitness in Port Harcourt

Akara Festival Nigeria is teaming up with Brazil’s Acarajé Festival to celebrate Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Nigerian heritage through food, culture, and fitness.

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The Akara Festival, organised by Fitnesstalkshow Communications, will be held from October 16 to 19 at the Elekahia Stadium in Port Harcourt, coinciding with World Food Day celebrations.

The four-day event will feature culinary competitions, music, dance, exhibitions, and traditional games. Ankara fashion showcases, cultural immersion activities, and entertainment will further highlight the shared cultural identity between Nigeria and Brazil.

Mr. Soye Elekima, President of the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria (ABBFN) and representative of the IFBB Academy in Nigeria, is spearheading the Nigerian edition. He said the partnership reflects deep historical and cultural ties between both nations.

“This collaboration is not just about food or fitness. It is a celebration of our shared African roots, our fashion, our music, and our health.

It is also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and stems directly from the recent bilateral agreements signed with Brazil,” Elekima explained.

A major highlight of the festival will be the SHAPE UP Nigeria 30×30 Fitness Challenge, running from October 1 to 30, which encourages Nigerians to exercise for 30 minutes daily while showcasing Akara as a nutritious, culturally significant dish.

Cultural highlights include joint culinary exhibitions, Ankara print-inspired décor, clothing, and even food packaging, along with art and music performances from both countries.

The initiative ties into the five Memoranda of Understanding signed during President Tinubu’s recent visit to Brazil, covering aviation, trade, energy, culture, and technology.

A landmark outcome of the visit was the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, opening direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil for the first time in decades.

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Elekima urged support from both the public and private sectors, as well as philanthropists, institutions, and corporate sponsors, to ensure the success of the festival.