Ini Billie, Uyo
Senior Pastor of the Potter’s House Church, United States of America, Bishop Thomas Jakes and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye are to minister at the Akwa Ibom Carol festival.
The yearly Christmas Carol festival which holds December 17, 2021, at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo will also feature Nigerian gospel music ministers like Panam Percy Paul, Tim Godfrey, Dunsin Oyekan, Ada Ehi, Aity Dennis, Bobby Friga, David G, Ema Onyx, GUC, Progress Effiong, John Bassey, Patience Ekwere and Uduakobong Akpan Jnr.
Special Adviser to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Public Affairs, Mr Raphael Edem, who spoke on behalf of the festival planning committee on Wednesday, added that the carol was conceived to enhance the spiritual rejuvenation of the state and her people.
Edem, who stated that the Christmas festival placed Akwa Ibom in the Guinness Book of Records in 2014, said that the purpose of the event which was initiated in 2008 has remained undefeated.
According to him, this year’s event which will be the 12th edition is titled, “The Return” as it did not hold last year due to COVID-19, adding that it will feature a 5,000-mass choir from the World Record 25,000 Choir.
“In a few days, precisely on Friday, December 17, 2021, the state will be in the eyes of the world again with the return of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival.
“The theme for the 2021 Carols Festival is “THE RETURN” and is drawn from the Bible verse Isiah 51:11 (KJV), “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
“From inception, the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival was conceived to enhance the spiritual rejuvenation of the state and people, and after 12 successful editions, that purpose of the Carols Festival has remained undefeated.
“As a people who have been largely preserved from the fatalities that rocked the world in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are returning to thank God for his blessings to us as a state and a people.
“For the first time in the history of this event, we will be having two guest ministers this year – the Senior Pastor of The Potter’s House Church from the USA, Bishop Thomas D. Jakes and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
“The 12th edition of the Carols Festival which will be hosted at the 55,000-sq. metre Ibom Hall Arena, along IBB Avenue in Uyo by 6 pm, will, according to the organizers feature the globally recognized World Record Mass Choir of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival.
“The World Record Mass Choir in this edition will feature 5,000 out of the 25,000-strong choir. Other choir groups that will perform this year are the host choir, the Akwa Ibom State Government Choir, The Promised-Land Chorale Int’l, Intensity and the Ibom Orchestra,” he stated.
Edem mentioned that South Africa’s DJ and musician, Master KG will be the only non-Nigerian performer at the event.
He revealed that over the years, the event has been a source of economic empowerment to many indigenes, noting that Governor Udom Emmanuel was committed to the successful hosting of the event.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong urged journalists to bury the differences that may exist between the government and the people and encouraged that the festival is used to promote the state.
Ememobong assured that the 5,000-mass choir will make a positive impact on the economy of the state as it will open up opportunities for small income earners, tailors, artisans, hospitality companies and others to be gainfully employed.