It was a night of total celebration on Saturday, 19 December when people from all walks of life trooped into the Uyo Township Stadium, the venue for the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival, and were thrilled by powerful performances from various gospel acts.
The event, which commenced at about 9p.m, saw great performances from both foreign artistes such as Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Chevelle Franklyn a.k.a Queen of Caribbean, Kunle Ajayi, Angella Christie, and Voices of Barbados.
International/home-based acts who also graced the event include the Akanam Nkwe crooner, Aity Dennis Inyang, Lara George, Chinelo Millimono, Asu Ekiye, David Eka, Skala Wee and James Edikan.
McClurkin
Donnie McClurkin, who opened the stage for other artistes, got the audience on their feet when he sang in the Efik dialect. He started with the song ‘Amenam enyen Abasi amenan’ and proceeded to ‘Eya emana ekwo ikwo idara ke esa mmi’, very fluently as if he he is from Akwa Ibom. Even most Akwa Ibom indigenes were not as fluent as he was.
He said that he is determined to learn the language of any place he is invited to minister, so the Efik language was not different.
http://9jaecho.com/2015/12/21/gov-emmanuels-speech-at-the-akwa-ibom-carol-festival/
Also pulling the crowd was 13-year saxophonist, James Eka who sustained on the saxophone instrument for more than three minutes. He also collaborated with Angella Christie, a foreign saxophonist, in the the song Akanam Nkwe, which prompted former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, while delivering his goodwill message said “We are about to export him to the Europe”.
Shirley Caesar
Aity Dennis
The guest speaker, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Ministry (TREM), in his message, prayed that God will sustain the divine mandate of the state. He charged the people of Akwa Ibom State to remain calm and put their trust in God Almighty as He alone can deliver justice.
The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, in his goodwill message, said: “Today, the people of Akwa Ibom have decided to lift God. God shall lift you as well. God shall be with you and stand by you. God shall lead you to that promise land.
“The people of Akwa Ibom are known for their versatility, hospitality, character, integrity and energy. Therefore, believe that this opportunity that you have opened unto God by coming to serve Him in this solemn succumb, He will preserve you.
“I want you to look up to Him. Put your soul above your problem. God will follow you with success. For every successful success to be successful is successful, the sauce of sub-successful success is successful.”
Naija Echo 