This year’s Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is currently on the way. This marks the 12th edition of this global Christmas event. Over the past 12 years, the government of Akwa Ibom state (Nigeria) has consistently organised this record-breaking annual event, which has been established as a prominent event on the calendar of Christmas activities in Africa.
This year, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye returns to the Carols Festival after 12 years.
The program opener was a unique rendition of the Nigerian national anthem led by Linda Etubudor and the Akwa Ibom State Government Choir. Being an event organised in honour of Jesus Christ, Rev. Angela Ashong, Pastor, God’s Ambassadors International who gave the opening prayer started with a popular hymn “Great is thy faithfulness.”
She eulogized Christ as the one who gathers all the waters of the earth in his palm; the one who takes life and gives life without explanation to anybody. Establishing God’s supremacy, she calls God “the one that cannot be bribed.”
Opening the evening performance was Godfather, a celebrated gospel artiste and indigene of Akwa Ibom State.
During his welcome address, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom state touted the progress that has been made by his government as a good reason to thank God for His blessings and love. He welcomes everyone to the event he describes as God’s own party.
“Welcome to God’s own party, the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival. Only God could have made this happen”
He says the Carols Festival had grown beyond the confines of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria and had become a global event, which also serves as an opportunity to showcase Akwa Ibom State’s potentials to the world.
“This event has become a permanent fixture on the global yuletide calendar and it draws attention of the world to the unique potentials of Akwa Ibom state as a destination of choice and one of the places in this part of the world to live, invest and do business.
He insists that the essence of the season should not be lost and overshadowed by other activities.
“I urge you not to lose sense of the true essence of Christmas; the practical demonstration of God’s love for mankind. Let us imbibe this love in our thoughts, words, action and even inaction.”
This year, due to ongoing renovation works at the stadium, which is the traditional venue of the festival, the event is being held at the Ibom Hall arena, Uyo. The theme for this year’s event is “Only God.” And the theme song was performed by Mairo Ese.
Dignitaries at the event include Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Senator Gabriel Suswam and wife, Peter Ayodele Fayose Former Governor of Ekiti State and Dr. Sunday Mbang, Former President, World Methodist Council.
