From our Correspondent
The annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival has been applauded as a valuable tradition and major indicator of the unity of the people of the state under one God and ancestry.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, stated this while addressing congregants at the 2023 edition of the festival, tagged; “ARISE and Shine For Thy Light is Come,” held at the Unity Park, Uyo, the state capital at the weekend.
Expressing delight at the showcase of of local talents and choral groups in this year’s festival, the Governor acknowledged that the event, besides uniting Akwa Ibom people from all divides, has provided a stage to market Akwa Ibom talents to the world, given its international reputation
Governor Eno paid glowing tributes to past governors of the State who, through successive administrations, have sustained the 16 years – old world record event and, pledged his commitment to maintaining the festival, which he described as God’s own party, with assurances to pilot other initiatives that promote the unity and prosperity of Akwa Ibom people.
He said: “This is God’s own party. It is always a privileged to gather as a people after one year. It’s been our tradition in the last sixteen years. We pay glowing tribute to all our past leaders that have upheld this tradition and we are extremely grateful to inherit it.
“This is a good tradition to inherit and we intend to continue to keep it. I want to say here tonight that this carol festival is one of the shining legacies that we will continue to uphold.”
He, therefore, charged Akwa Ibom people to continue to stick together as one people from one ancestry, maintaining the consciousness that the things that unite them are much more than their differences.
“To sing praises to God we have come from all tongues and tribes; from Ibibio to Annang, from Oron to Andoni, from the flowing creeks to the undulating upland, from all churches, we are gathered together as one Akwa Ibom State under God to give him praise. That is the truth, that is who we are and it is to the glory of God,” he stressed.
The governor lauded the planning committee, led by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, for setting up the amphitheatre and bringing the event to fruition within the limited time that was available, expressing delight for the turnout of people in the state and from distant places to partake in the Christmas fiesta.
”If sitting under these bright skies is the only thing you can do to tell God thank you for sparing your life, keeping you hale and hearty through 2023, I believe it’s worth doing,” the governor said.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh noted that the the event is an international religious festival of christian songs, dance, and worship that is officially certified and cited in the Guinness Book of World Records. He further said over the years, the event has attracted the crème-de-la crème in gospel music artistry and worshipers from across the world.
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