As Akwa Ibom State gets ready to stage the 2013 edition of the annual government Christmas Carol Night on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Aniekan Umanah, has given an insight into the event, which he said is the dawn of spiritual tourism in Nigeria.
Umanah, told newsmen in Uyo that the event, which is the brain-child of Governor Godswill Akpabio, was inspired by the governor’s desire to gather people from every Church organisation, 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, which has become a major tourists attraction to our state, has also served as avenue for the promotion of spiritual growth, peaceful co-existence among ethnic, religious and cultural groups in an evening of praise, worship, love and unity”.
He said apart from boosting the tourism potential of Akwa Ibom State, 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.”
Umanah, who said this year’s edition will feature the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, Dr David Oyedepo, as the officiating Minister, will equally have internationally renowned gospel artistes such as Lionel Peterson, Osinachi Kalu (Sinach), Frank Edwards, Pastor Goody Goody, Folake Umosen, and Freke Umoh ministering in songs.
He maintained that with the Christmas Carol Night, Akpabio has created an annual pilgrimage that brings the Christian community and the public into spotlight in the city of Uyo while celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and complementing the Uncommon Transformation programme of the state government.
Umanah, who said the event will be live on major networks like the NTA, AIT, TBN, Channels, STV, African Magic, CTV, ARISE TV, AKBC and others, 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 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, the General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi and that of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
