AKSG Carol Night held annually from 2008-2014. Unlike the previous Christmas carols held in the state where 9,200 that grew to 9,999 choristers drawn basically from the 31 local government areas of the state, this re-branded event will prominently feature gospel artistes of international and national reckoning. The event put together by Special Services Department, Governor’s Office, Uyo is one that cannot be forgotten in a hurry. The originator of the event, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang remarks ‘’the fully rebranded event is designed as a spectacular celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the saviour of mankind, in a distinctively unique way peculiar only to the state’’.
The event expected to hold at Uyo Township Stadium located along Udo Udoma Street in Uyo, the state capital with a seating capacity of 12,000. Mkpanang posits ‘’20 new public toilets, three boreholes, extensive fence work and four new gates are being constructed alongside a Welcome, hospitality and artistes centre to cater for the welfare needs of local and international performing artistes’’. According to him, ‘’Also, 12 new stands of flood lighting, installation of turntiles and crowd restrainers are in progress to ensure the security and comfort of the teeming faithful expected at the event’’.
Governor Udom Emmanuel, the fourth democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom is expected to deliver an official Yuletide goodwill message during the event. A professional banker and industrialisation renaissance expert, the Governor is expected to re-launch dakadda campaign, which is a moral compass for moral rebirth, spiritual rejuvenation and self-actualisation to energetically drive Akwa Ibom people to rise to their greatness and self-worth.
The festival is slated for Saturday, December 19, 2015 and the date is significant in some ways. December 19 is the 353rd day of the year in the Gregorian calender. It is globally marked as the United Nations International Day for South-South Co-operation, which offers viable opportunities for the developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It is also the 57th anniversary of the first Radio broadcast from the space as well as the 24th commemoration of that date in 1991 when the opera “Christmas Carol” opened on Broadway for a record 14 performances.
To spiritually spice the moment, Pastor Paul A. Adefarasin, minister, author, social transformer and founder of House on the Rock Church, is billed to present Christmas Talk at the festival.
The main action reels out during the performances of great gospel artistes. The roll call is lengthy. Shirley Ann Caeser-Williams. Born on October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina, the United States American music maestro- singer, songwriter, and recording artiste is an award-winning personality commonly known as ‘First Lady of Gospel Music’. She has won 11 Grammy awards, 13 Stellar awards, 18 Doves, 1 R1AA Gold Certification, an Essence award, McDonald’ Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement award, NAACP Achievement award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement as well induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She is a star billed to perform during the event.
Donnie McClurkin, Jr, an American gospel singer and minister, was born on November 9, 1959 in South Carolina and raised in Amitymille, Long Island, New York. He is one of the highest selling gospel music artistes in the world, having sold more than 10 million albums. He has won three Grammy awards, 10 Stellar awards, two BET awards, two Sol Train awards, one DOVE and one NAACP Image award. He starred in the 2012 Christmas Carols Night, Uyo and has accepted to feature during the festival.
Here cometh Angella Christie, who was born on February 19, 1963 in Los Angeles, California in the United States of America. An accomplished saxophonist, she has released seven albums and did a 40-city national tour in the USA in 2000. Her 1998 album, Hymn & I, the 2008 album, The Breath of Life reached the 24th spot on the Billboard top Gospel albums and 9th on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz and 31st spot on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. On her second coming to the state, she will join David Eka to render a traditional Akwa Ibom Duet with her saxophone.
Also to minister in songs at the festival is Chevelle Franklyn. Born in the Tawes Pen area in St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica, Franklyn was the fourth in a family of 10 children. A contemporary dancer, she converted to Christianity in 1998. She released an album, Joy in 2001 and won five Caribbean Gospel Reggae Marlin awards. In 2008, she performed in Lagos, Nigeria at The Experience. In 2009, she featured on one track, Surely Goodness, on American Christian musician Israel Houghton’s album. Her album, The Power of One, won the Grammy award in 2010 for the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Award.
Not to be left out is an Akwa Ibom-born multi-lingual singer, worship leader and song writer, Aity Dennis. The talented artiste has bagged several awards: Nigeria outstanding female gospel artiste of the Year, Niger Delta Forum award of Excellence, Best Akwa Ibom Gospel Artiste of the year and Role Model for Youth Award. With over 2000 song in her repertoire, she has released nine album which are broadcast on several national and international media and are highly in demand within and outside Nigeria.
Also accepted to minister at the event is Lara George, who was born into the family of Oluwole Bajomo in Lagos State. George began her music career at the University of Lagos, where she joined the campus fellowship choir. She was a member of the disbanded musical group Kush, which included TY, Bello, Dapo Tarimiro and Emem Ema. Her debut album, entitled Forever in My Heart, include the hit single ‘’ljoba Orun’’; it was released in 2008. The album earned her several awards and nominations including Voice of the Year at the Nigeria Music Awards. She emerged the winner of the Best African Female Gospel Artiste category at the 2011 African Gospel Music Awards.
Others expected include Asu Ekiye, a Bayelsan-born gospel music performer. A trained accountant, Ekiye is a prolific, multi-award winning African artiste, a two-time back-to-back winner of the Best African gospel artiste award organised by Channel O in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sammie Okposo is a Nigerian-born multiple award winning international gospel artiste. He started his music career in 199 when he joined the Nigerian movie. In 2000, he released his debut album titled Unconditional Love, the hit track- WELLU-WELLU got public acclaim.
Freke Umoh, a minister, singer, speaker and Christian entertainer, is a holder of Bachelor’s degree in Estate Management from the University of Nigeria. He rose from singing in the Church teenagers’ choir in Lagos to appearing in international concerts, conferences and events. In 2012, he was nominated for the Crystal Gospel Awards. His hit tracks include: Open Heavens, Ibagha, No More Delay and Mary’s Lamb. Chinelo Dillimono, a Pastor, Music Minister, Worship Leader, Author and Radio Host, will perform at the event. A widely travelled person, Dillimono has visited Gambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Britain featuring in concerts, churches, seminars, conventions and crusades. A holder of first degree in Biochemistry and Botany from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dillimono will grace the event.
James Edikan, founder of GospelGate Invasions and a graduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and indigene of Ini Local Government Area is the singer of ‘’IKIDI IDIBO’’. Don Tom, who hails from ONNA Local Government Area, was born on October 23, 1984. A budding artiste, he resides in France and is one of the biggest stars to blaze the event. David Eka, born on October 29, 2003 and an indigene of Adadia from Uruan Local Government Area will entertain the crowd with saxophone.
To join an array of talented artistes are The National Choir of Barbados, Promised Land Chorale comprising 250 young men and women, AKSG Choir assembling 50 talented graduates, AKSG Band made up of proficient instrumentalists, Ibom Unity Brass Band and the 100-member AKSG Orchestra are the groups to excite the audience with thrilling songs and pulsating rhythms.
This is Akwa Ibom way of bringing Churches, spiritual leaders and gospel artistes together to acknowledge the goodness and mercies of God in songs. Of course, this is a surest way to bring down the power of God and pull down the walls of ethnicity, poverty, illiteracy, hatred, apathy, retrogression, idolatry and other negative tendencies that limit the people. Let Akwa Ibom people come and sing to God for political emancipation, economic prosperity, religious tolerance, social cohesion and academic breakthrough as well as restoration of our rights and privileges.
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