The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is a large gathering of carol singers in Nigeria. A concert featuring 25,272 carol singers at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, with Guinness World Records representatives in attendance, was officially certified as the largest such gathering in the world by Guinness World Records [1] on December 13, 2014, against a former record of 15,674 carol singers which was achieved the previous year (December 15, 2013) by a group called CENTI in Bogotá, Colombia.
The 2012 festival featured artistes like Alvin Slaughter and Donnie McClurkin from the US and the Chorale Devine de Merveilles of the Republic of Congo. The 2013 edition was attended by Bishop Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners' Chapel) and human rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and featured the National Choir of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, international singers like Lionel Peterson and Israel Houghton, and Nigerian singers like Bongos Ikwue, Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, Aity Dennis Inyang, el Mafrex, Freke Umoh, and Fadabasi. [2]
The 2014 event broke a Guinness World Record to become the "Largest Assembly of Carol Singers on the Face of the Earth". In attendance were Don Moen, international gospel music composer, and Cardinal John Onaiyekan of Abuja Catholic Diocese. The event featured special performances by Quartets from the five international choirs that performed in past editions. Also performing were gospel saxophonist Angela Christie, Lionel Peterson, Sinach, Harmonious Chorale [3] [ circular reference ] [4] and many more. [5]
In 2016, the Akwa Ibom State Government organized the concert again on December 17, 2016. With guest artists from around the world such as Award Winning gospel singer, Don Moen, PRM band, The Kayamba Africa Choral Ensemble and Kenya Boys Choir. Some locals artists from Nigeria such as Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Steve Crown, Elijah Oyelade, Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet, Esther Edoho, Julius Nglass and Perfecta Ekpo were also in attendance. [6] [7] [8]
In 2018, at the Akwa Ibom State Carols Festival, Aity Dennis was among the ministers who graced that event. She Performed after the gospel music minister sensation, Mercy Chinwo, and before American import, Nicole Mullen, Aity performed her prophetic song at the Uyo Township Stadium, she sang, danced and prophesied a glorious future for Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.
Aity spoke after the event, saying: "It's always a big pleasure every time I have a performance in my home state. I am also glad I had the opportunity to perform the theme song. Let the People Say Amen!. She congratulate the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the coordinator of the carol for a successful event." [9]
In 2019, the theme of the carol was "Only God". During his speech at the carol, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel said that the state has every reason to be thankful to God for making them enjoy significant peace irrespective of all their challenges. [10] Some significant appearances at the 2019 carol includes, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the redeemed Christian Church of God, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Panam Percy Paul, Nathaniel Bassey and Prospa Ochimana. [11] [12]
In 2020, the Carol was cancelled due to the outbreak of coronaviurs in the country. [13] The cancellation is in line with the WHO directive to ensure compliance of social distancing and avoidance of large crowds due to the outbreak of the virus. The cancellation was announced by the commissioner of culture and tourism, Mr. Orman Esin in Uyo. [13]
In 2021, the carol returned with the theme "The Return". [14] The event held at the Ibom hall field and It was a time of celebration after the long break due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Significant appearances in the 2021 edition includes Bishop T.D. Jakes, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Ada Ehi, Dunsin Oyekan and Tim Godfrey. [15] [16]
Akwa Ibom State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It borders Cross River State to the east, Rivers State and Abia State to the west and north-west, and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The state takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects the state before flowing into the Bight of Bonny. Akwa Ibom was split from Cross River State in 1987 with her capital Uyo and with 31 local government areas.
Obong Victor Bassey Attah was Governor of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Uyo Township Stadium is a multi-use stadium located in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Akwa United F.C. of the Nigerian Premier League. It is also a center for social, cultural, political, and religious events. The popular annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol, organized by the Akwa Ibom State Government, always holds at the stadium. The stadium is located close to a major market in Uyo City, called Akpan Andem Market. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people.
Victor Attah International Airport, is an airport serving Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The airport is 24 kilometres (15 mi) Southeast of Uyo, and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) northwest of the river port of Oron.
El Mafrex is a Nigerian-born, urban gospel singer-songwriter, based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is a 30,000 capacity national sports stadium located in Uyo, the state capital of Akwa Ibom. The stadium serves as a home to the Nigerian Super Eagles as well as a center for various social, cultural, Political and religious events. The contract for the construction of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games Village was awarded in 2012 to Julius Berger and was completed in 2014. The 30,000 seater ultra modern multipurpose sports complex was modeled after Allianz Arena.
Udom Gabriel Emmanuel is a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2015 to 2023. He contested for the office of governor in the April 2015 elections on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party.
Glory Emmanuel Edet is a Nigerian princess and women & child-rights activist. She is a two-time Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom state. She was first appointed in 2013, and re-appointed for the same position in 2015 by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. In 2015, she started an empowerment scheme for widows which selected participants equally from all 31 local government areas of the State. The scheme provided the widows with stat-up funds to float their businesses. In support of vulnerable children in Akwa-Ibom state, Glory Emmanuel Edet has worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH).
The Akwa IbomStateMinistry of Urban Renewal and Special Duties is the state government's ministry tasked with overseeing the housing and urban renewal sector in the state. They are also charged with the responsibility to plan, devise and implement the state policies on Housing.
On 10 December 2016, the roof of the Reigners Bible Church International, an evangelical congregation, collapsed in Uyo, a city in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, during the consecration or ordination of the local bishop. At least 23 people are confirmed to have died in the disaster, with other reports stating numbers as high as 160. Thousands were present at the time of collapse, including government officials and Akwa Ibom governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
Harmonious Chorale (HC) is an interdenominational choir based in Accra, Ghana. It is adjudged one of Ghana's best groups. It was formerly formed as the Harmonious Quartet in 2005 and established as Harmonious Chorale in 2007.
Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre is a proposed modern class leisure and business resort situated in Akwa Ibom State. The Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre has a 14 storey building five star hotel with over 200 rooms, a theme park that spreads over 3 hectares of land, a shopping mall, a convention centre with a 5000 capacity and an active cinema operated by Silverbird Cinemas.
Ime Bishop Umoh, often called Okon Lagos, is a Nigerian actor and comedian.
Bassey Dan-Abia is a Nigerian politician. Before entering politics, he practiced as a lawyer in Kano, Cross River and Lagos States of Nigeria.
Uwemedimo Nwoko is a Nigerian legal practitioner, politician, human rights activist and the past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State.
Charles Udoh is the current Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. On December 1, 2016, he was appointed the Commissioner for Information and Strategy by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The 2015 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election occurred in Nigeria on April 11, 2015, the PDP nominee Udom Gabriel Emmanuel won the election, defeating Umana Umana of the APC.
The 2023 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election took place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, concurrent with elections to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date — was held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent PDP Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third term. Former commissioner Umo Eno held the office for the PDP by a 34% margin over first runner-up and YPP nominee — Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.
Umo Bassey Eno is a Nigerian clergy and politician who is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He was the former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom State, and the founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International.
Akwa Ibom State Christmas Village is a park that is always created during the festive period at Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
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