(From left: Governor Emmanuel his Cross River countempart, Ayade, Senator Akpabio, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and other guests)
The yearly Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival is a show stopper. This year’s was not different. The spiritual/music potpourri attracted renowned gospel singers as well as ministers and others from far and wide, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.
Imagine a night of songs featuring angelic voices. Picture a festival of worship in which the ‘angels’ came to sing, decked in attractive attires. Behold the 2015 Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival.
The Uyo Township Stadium came alive with music, songs renditions, dance, sermons and political allusions to celebrate the spiritual cum musical feast. The venue was lavishly decorated, and adorned by huge Christmas tree that was lit by the governor to mark the official opening of the event.
The feast, which is in its eighth edition, is a yearly celebration of God’s goodness and mercies through songs that brought together churches, spiritual leaders, choirs, gospel artistes enthusiasts and tourists.
It was first held in December 26, 2008 by former Akwa Ibom State Governor and now Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio. It has since remained a state event organised by Special Services Department of the Office of the Governor.
This year’s edition had in attendance Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, his wife, Martha and children; Cross Rivers State Governor Ben Ayade; Senator Akpabio; commissioners; top government functionaries; politicians, particularly from the National and State Assemblies and members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.
The 
event headlined an impressive line-up of local and international gospel musical acts, including Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Angella Christie all from America and Jamaica-born Chevilie Franklyn; and from Nigeria were Lara George, Kunle Ajayi (Music Director, The Redeemed Christian Church of God), Asu Ekiye, Chinelo Dillimono, 13-year-old trumpet player David Eka, Aity Dennis Inyang, James Edikan and Freke Umoh.
event headlined an impressive line-up of local and international gospel musical acts, including Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Angella Christie all from America and Jamaica-born Chevilie Franklyn; and from Nigeria were Lara George, Kunle Ajayi (Music Director, The Redeemed Christian Church of God), Asu Ekiye, Chinelo Dillimono, 13-year-old trumpet player David Eka, Aity Dennis Inyang, James Edikan and Freke Umoh.
Also there to thrill the audience with inspiring songs and energetic rhythms were the National Choir of Barbados; the World Choir, consisting of 2500 singers who sang Joy to the world; Akwa Ibom State Government (AKSG) Choir, assembling 50 talented graduates; AKSG Band, made up of proficient instrumentalists, the 100-member AKSG Orchestra and Ibom Unity Brass Band.
Songs that stole the night
The night featured several performances that stole the hearts of the audience. McClurkin’s performance stood out on the list. He took guests by surprise not only when he greeted the crowd in Ibibio language, but also as he sang two popular Efik and Ibibio songs – Amanam eyen Abasi andEya Emana Ekwo. McClurkin, who was part of the yearly celebration three years ago, also renderedDays of Elijah, Holy and Great is thy mercy, among others.
Like McClurkin, Franklyn also got the crowd rocking with her rendition of the popular Naija gospel song, Osei yeee…We don win o. Ekiye dazzled the crowd with his classic Eeewo. The crowd were moved by the testimony of Nigeria’s songstress Dennis-Inyang, whom God recently blessed with the fruit of the womb after years of seeking God’s face. The crowd joined her to chorus He made me a wonder. Caesar, who was in Nigeria for the first time,also got the crowd singing along as she sangJesus…How I love calling your name.
And while many were basking in the euphoria created by the performance of female saxophonist Christie, whose parents were missionaries to Nigeria, they were soon mesmerised by the classical duet between her and Nigeria’s 13-year-old Eka. The duo rendered a traditional song Akanekwe. Both hope to release an album next year.
George’s all-time classics, Ijoba Orun, also stole the night. Its message of love and the “importance of being heavenly-minded” re-echoed the Christmas message by Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), who was this year’s guest speaker.
Bishop Okonkwo praised the idea behind the festival, observing that it is a major platform for people of the state connect with God, with the mind of praising Him for His past deeds while seeking His face for the New Year.
He
, therefore, urged the people to seek God’s face always in all their dealings, while charging them to be agents of peace and not of destruction. He applauded the state government for sustaining the spiritual legacy of the past administration.
, therefore, urged the people to seek God’s face always in all their dealings, while charging them to be agents of peace and not of destruction. He applauded the state government for sustaining the spiritual legacy of the past administration.
He said: “Give your life to Christ, in him is the power to save. I beseech you today to always put your trust in God and ask him for direction in whatever you are set to accomplish.”
In the spirit of Christmas,
politics
Besides being a night of songs and worship, the political atmosphere in the state preceding this year’s carol festival also pulsated in the night’s event.
“Winner oooo…winner…Jesus you don win o,” rented the air as Governor Emmanuel in the company of his family took the podium to declare the event officially open.
It was not a night of long, tiresome political speeches. And the governor was not one to bore his audience with such. Hence, his was spiced with flowery, poetic political allusions as he expressed religious and seasonal greeting to the people.
He said: “I welcome you from this serene and capital city…to this great party that is guaranteed to bind us all in a symphony of songs and ecclesiastical happiness…The moon is shining brightly, and in agreement, that tonight our greatness has come with the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this festival of greatness, we have come together as a people to renew our bond with Christ. My family and I share with you the joy of this season of good tidings.
“This night, we have come to sing to the Supreme God who alone can take us to the Supreme Court. About six months ago, providence offered me the responsibility of being your servant leader through a divine mandate that you freely gave on April 11, 2015. You were the channel for the realisation of God’s ambition, an unfathomable grace of God. Tonight, I am filled with more sense of humility and responsibility that I felt on May29 this year, when I took the oath of office you gave me freely on April 11; and I intend to keep the sacred trust in my ability as your servant leader.”
In the spirit of the season, he called for love, peace and tolerance in the state, saying for progress the country requires the cooperation of all.
According to him, those, walking in “the path of tribalism, ethnicity and bitter hatred in the name of politics”, are living in the valley of darkness.
He said: “Let the birth of Christ represent the message of love and tolerance…Let us eschew politics of acrimony and bitterness; and hold aloof the flag of politics without personal and character assassination.
“God is not a God of appeal. He is our Supreme Judge and His judgement is supreme. Christ the Saviour of mankind was born in a manger. We do not have to be born in palaces to become kings. Greatness is a matter of determination. Once the passion is right, nothing is impossible.”
Senator Akpabio commended the governor and the people of the state for keeping the flame of the festival alive, saying “through your voices tonight, you have brought victory to Akwa Ibom”.
Akpabio, whose entry into the festival’s venue aroused a loud ovation, said: “I lost my voice while singing and dancing to God. Your Christmas will be splendid, your New Year will be wonderful, you will overcome in whatever situation that you find yourself. This is one legacy that God cannot forget. Because you have kept faith in God, He will not forsake you and will make you triumphant.
“Our salvation as a state lies with God Almighty who has sent an “Emmanuel” in Jesus Christ to save us spiritually and ordained an Emmanuel Udom to steer the ship of the state under the divine guidance of Jesus Christ. Your mandate is of God and that the will of the people will remain.”
Governor Ayade added his voice to the night’s admonitions, saying: “The people of Akwa Ibom are known for their versatility, creativity, integrity and vitality. You have decided to lift God up and that God will equally lift them up too. God shall stand by you and take you to the Promised Land.”
For Jane Umoh, a resident, the festival is a yearly affair that she doesn’t miss. “I have been attending it since 2009 and it has become part of my Christmas celebration every December because I always use the opportunity to see with my eyes the artistes whose music I love and listen to at home. I really love Lara George, and Angella and Eka’s performances this year,” she said.
The event was sponsored by Globacom, United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, among others.
