Igbo Community Leadership Anthony Agwagah
Preserving Nigerian Heritage in Dorset
In this interview, we speak with Anthony Uchenna Agwagah, leader of the Igbo community of Nigeria in Dorset, about what strong community leadership really means in today’s diverse society.
Anthony shares his insights on the essential qualities of effective leadership – how leaders can support their communities with genuine care, integrity, and vision. He discusses the unique challenges faced by diaspora communities living far from their homeland and the responsibility leaders carry in helping people stay connected to their roots while building new lives in the UK.
We explore how diverse communities can actively protect, celebrate, and pass on their cultural heritage and languages to the next generation. Anthony speaks about the importance of creating spaces where children can learn their mother tongue, where traditional practices are honoured, and where cultural identity remains strong even as families integrate into British society.
He also addresses the balance between preserving heritage and embracing the opportunities of multicultural Britain – how communities can remain proud of who they are while contributing fully to the wider society around them.
This interview is part of Beautiful World Festival’s commitment to celebrating and amplifying the voices of community leaders who are actively shaping our diverse local landscape. Beautiful World Festival brings together cultures from around the world through music, food, language, art, and storytelling, creating a space where heritage is not just observed but experienced and celebrated.
By sharing stories like Anthony’s, we highlight the real people and communities behind the cultures we celebrate at our festival. We believe that understanding begins with listening – and that strong, caring leadership is what helps communities not just survive, but thrive. Through conversations like these, we honour the work being done every day to keep languages alive, pass traditions forward, and build bridges between cultures.
Beautiful World Festival is more than an event – it’s a celebration of the rich cultural diversity that makes our community stronger, more connected, and more vibrant. Join us to experience the world, right here in Dorset.