All is set for the 2014 edition of the annual Akwa Ibom State Government Carol Night, slated to hold on Saturday, December 20, at the new Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

In a release, announcing the programme
elements of the 2014 edition of the event,
the state Commissioner for Information
and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah
emphasised that “the 9,999 Carol Night,
apart from been a record-breaking
gathering of Carol Singers, has become a
major source of spiritual tourism that
attracts pilgrims from around the world.”
The event, according to him, “gives the
Christian community and general public a
compelling need to be in the city of Uyo
to celebrate Christmas and honour the
birth of Jesus Christ.”
He explained that the event, which is the
creation of the Akpabio administration,
and coordinated by the Akwa Ibom State
Directorate of Protocols, was inspired by
the Governor’s desire to gather people
from every Church organization, hamlet
and village from across the State to share
in the joy of Christmas by singing praises
to the Almighty God.
According to him, since its inception in
2008, “the Akwa Ibom State Christmas
Carol Night has enjoyed the benevolence,
involvement, support and passion of
Governor Akpabio, and has also served as
avenue for the promotion of spiritual
growth, peaceful co-existence among
ethnic, religious and cultural groups in the
State, in an evening of praise, worship,
love and unity”.
Mr. Umanah added that apart from
boosting the tourism potentials of Akwa
Ibom, the Carol Night, which has
maintained its unique theme and tradition,
has evolved with new ideas and concepts
on yearly basis. The tourism potential of
the carol, he noted “has been enhanced
by a rapidly growing international
reputation and acceptance of the State.”
With a blend of unique vocal and digital
rendition of medley and lyrics as well as a
repertoire of colorful visual decoration,
dance, costumes and lighting, the
Commissioner said “the ambience in and
around the event venue often engender
bliss and spiritual awakening.”
A unique feature added to this year’s
9,999 Carol Night, according to Mr.
Umanah, is “special performance by
Quartets from each of the choirs from
different countries who have performed at
each of the six previous editions of the
Carol Night.” The quartets, he said, “will
come from the Soweto Spiritual Singers of South Africa; the Chorale Devine de
Merveilles from the Republic of Congo;
the National Choir of the Federation of St.
Kitts and Nevis; the Winneba International
Youth Choir from Ghana and the Abuja
Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO).
Equally expected to perform at the event
are, the Voices of Jamaica Choir and the
Harmonious Chorale from Ghana.
Mr Umanah who said this year’s edition
which will feature the Catholic Bishop,
Cardinal John Onaiyekan as the officiating
Minister, will equally have internationally
renowned gospel artistes such as Don
Moen, Panam Percy Paul, Nathaniel
Bassey, as well as Aity Dennis, El-Mafrex,
Freke Umoh Linda Etukudoh, Buchi,
Mosaic and Patience Esekhile, ministering
in songs.
The State information boss, while adding
that the AKSG Choir, Ibom Orchestra,
Unity Brass Band, Bonos Ikwue and
Angela Christie -renowned American
Gospel Music Saxophonist will be part of
the event, maintained that, with the
Christmas Carol Night, Governor Akpabio
has created a compelling spotlight on the
City of Uyo while celebrating the birth of
Jesus Christ and complementing the
Uncommon Transformation programme of
the State Government.
Commending the Permanent Secretary,
Protocol, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkanang, and
members of his team for a robust and
hitch-free preparations for the event, the
Commissioner said this year’s edition will
be live on major networks like the DSTV
199, African Magic, NTA, AIT, TBN,
Channels, STV, CTV and AKBC, and
implored those who have planned to be
physically present at the Carol Night,
especially first timers, to find time to visit
other places of interest in Akwa Ibom, as,
according to him, destination Akwa Ibom
story has become a reality.
Considering the enormous resources
which the administration Governor
Godswill Akpabio has committed to the
development of landmark infrastructure
the Commissioner stressed that a visit to
the Ibom E-library and Ibom Tropicana for
example, will instantly convince visitors
as to why Akwa Ibom has become the
new destination in Nigeria.
It could be recalled that on December 26,
2008, Akwa Ibom State Christmas Carol
Night, with 9,300 carol singers drawn
from the 31 Local Government Areas of
the State, set a new Guinness World
Record of the largest Assembly of Carol
singers. The 2011 edition saw the number
of choristers increased to 9,999.
Previous editions of the Akwa Ibom State
Carol Night have hosted international
Christian leaders, including the Catholic
Archbishop of Calabar, Archbishop Joseph
Ekuwem; Archbishop Rt. Rev. Christian
Ekong of the Lutheran Church; the
General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible
Church, Pastor William Kumuyi; that of
the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; and the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, Dr David Oyedepo.

Gud