Over 10 million internet users from more than 45 countries are expected to log on to the official website of the Akwa Ibom annual Christmas Carol festival scheduled for December 22.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.
Udoh said that the 2016edition had more than 9,000,000 people from 38 countries logged on to the programme’s official website and twitter handle within four hours of its commencement.
The annual Christmas programme made the Guinness Book of Records in 2014 for the largest choir ever assembled for a Christmas Carol that had 30,000 participants
The event has since become an important feature in the state.
Udoh said that more people are expected to follow the event this year going by the interest it has continued to generate around the world.
“We are a state named after God.
“We are almost 100 per cent Christians and when we come out to do something like this we are doing it to celebrate God and His love for us as a people and for us to show that we appreciate God.
“For me anything we can spend on this is justifiable,” he said.
According to him, gospel artists to feature in the event include, Bob Fitts, Ron Kenoly and 10 other popular gospel artists from within and outside Africa.
He added that the state Government choir and the 5,000 strong Carol Night choir featuring choristers from the 31 local government of the state with Pastor Agu Irukwu of the Jesus House branch of the Redeemed ChristianChurch of God, in London would also grace the occasion.
The Commissioner further said that choral groups from Europe and the United States had also signified their intention to participate in the event.
Udoh further stated that the event’s website would be the first 100 per cent Bi Lingual event website in the country featuring English and Ibibio languages respectively.
He said that the event would be streamed online and on air on DSTV, AIT and other networks outside the country.
He assured visitors to the state of adequate security of lives and properties.
