Gov Udom Emmanuel conducting the Congregational Hymn
Thousands of worshipers across the globe converged on Uyo Township Stadium to participate in the 2016 edition of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival.
The event tagge: “Let our King be lifted High”, featured presentations by renowned Gospel artists who ministered in songs to the glory of God and ecstasy of the audience.
Flagging off the festival, the state Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel, said that the state is founded on the solid rock of Christ given the early exposure to the teachings by the early Christian missionaries.
“Ever since Mary Slessor and other blessed missionaries came to our shores and evangelized our ancestors, we have come to see the church as a shelter of refuge. The Church has given us hope and inspiration. The church has showered blessings on us and raised our moral tone and texture,” the Governor stated.
Don Moen ministering
He recalled with pains the incident of a church building collapse and observed a minute silence in honour of those that died in the tragic incident.
Governor Emmanuel welcomed all to the event and enjoined the artistes to sing to the glory of God. “To all our guests and artistes, we thank you for coming, especially Don Moen, whom I may now call an adopted son of Akwa Ibom State, by way of Tennessee, to our sponsors, thank you for your faith in us. It is well with Akwa Ibom, it is well with Nigeria, it is well with Africa and it is well with the world.”
Setting the tone for the event, Permanent Secretary, Special Services Department, Mr Aniekpeno Mkpanang, expressed appreciation to God for the event and described it as a concert for comfort, healing and cleansing of the land.
Mr Mkpanang whose Department organised the event, noted that the Carol has launched the state into a fresh anointing by opening opportunity for a divine turn-around for the state to rise above the tricks of the devil and tapping into the abundant grace that is in Jesus Christ.
He explained that the Evangelism content had to be stepped up to underscore the religious relevance of the festival inviting Gospel ministers to minister and bless the people with their talents.
Don Moen with Uyo Girls Choir
Governor Udom Emmanuel and wife Martha, former Governors , Senators, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and wife Unoma, members of the Political class, Religious and business moguls were some of the dignitaries at the carol festival.
United States Of America-based artiste, Don Moen, Steve Crown, Sammy Okposo, Elijah Oyelade, Perfecta Ekpo, Julius Nglass, Buchi, Fr. Patrick Edet, Esther Edoho, Uyo Girls Choir, Kenyan Boys Choir, the PRM Band, the Kayamba African Orchestra as well as Five thousand choristers across the state performed at the Carol Night.
Gov Udom Emmanuel (2nd right), Senator Godswill Akpabio (2nd left), Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel (right) and Mrs Unoma Akpabio
Naija Echo 