By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Chief Executive Officer of Africa Young Voices (AYV), Anthony Navo Jr., is leading a high-level delegation from Freetown through London to Dubai as part of a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening international partnerships and expanding AYV’s global footprint.

The delegation includes the winner of Housemates Salone Season 4, alongside selected finalists and housemates from the season. The trip marks a milestone for the reality television platform, offering participants rare international exposure, cultural exchange and opportunities for personal and professional development.

According to AYV, the Dubai leg of the visit will focus on high-level engagements with creative industry stakeholders, exploration of content development opportunities and the positioning of Sierra Leone’s entertainment and creative economy on the global stage. The engagements are expected to open doors for collaboration in media production, talent development and lifestyle programming, while elevating the visibility of Sierra Leonean youth talent abroad.

The journey forms part of AYV’s innovative reality television concept, The Trip, under the Housemates Salone franchise. The initiative blends reality television with travel and mentorship, designed to showcase local talent, promote youth empowerment and expose participants to global standards and opportunities. By integrating cultural immersion with professional learning, AYV continues to pioneer bold entertainment formats that project Sierra Leonean stories beyond national borders.

Earlier this week, members of the Sierra Leonean community in Dubai turned out in large numbers to welcome the delegation on arrival. From airport reception to spontaneous displays of solidarity, the atmosphere reflected strong diaspora pride and unity. Organisers described the welcome as “loud, proud and unforgettable,” noting that Dubai briefly felt like Freetown as supporters rallied around the Housemates Salone delegation.

AYV expressed appreciation to Sierra Leoneans in Dubai for their show of support, saying the warm reception set the tone for the delegation’s activities and underscored the unifying power of culture and entertainment. “No matter the distance, home remains united,” a statement from the organisers noted, adding that the reception marked “just the beginning” of a broader international engagement.

As part of the Dubai programme, AYV has announced a major public engagement event scheduled for Friday, 6 February, at Spectra Night Club, located at the Marco Polo Hotel. The live Meet-and-Greet is expected to bring together fans, creatives and members of the diaspora for an immersive Housemates Salone experience featuring music, photo moments and interactions with the housemates.

Organisers say the event will celebrate Sierra Leonean culture abroad while reinforcing AYV’s mission to amplify local talent on global platforms. With momentum building in Dubai, AYV’s leadership believes the initiative will further cement the network’s role as a trailblazer in African youth media and entertainment, showcasing how Sierra Leoneans connect, create and celebrate wherever they are in the world. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ayv-expands-global-footprint-as-anthony-navo-jr-leads-housemates-salone-delegation-to-dubai/