This is phenomenal. My brother, it is epically historic and awesomely significant. God will be happy in heaven to see the gathering of 9999 choristers singing carol to high heavens. Solomon will be envious in his grave. I thank God for giving me the opportunity of being a witness and a partaker in this spiritually motivating Christmas carol brought alive by Governor Godswill Akpabio in Uyo, this very significant day.'These were the words of Prince Adewale Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Image Perfect, when he set his foot on the main bowl of the Uyo sport stadium and saw the multitude of people and the 9,999 choristers garnered from all the churches in Akwa Ibom State by Governor Goodswill Akpabio to praise the Lord Almighty for what he had done in his life, his family and the people of Akwa Ibom.Prince Martins, who lives in Ekiti but was on an adventure to Uyo purposely to see with his own eyes the largest single Christmas Carol choristers in the world, said the mere sight of the crowd, even 'before any singing commenced is enough testimony' that Governor Akpabio is a man after God's heart.'And, sincerely, any visitor to Uyo for the 9,999 AKSG Xmas Carol Night would have nothing but commendation and praises to Almighty God for creating a rare genius of a man called Akpabio.The whole exercise which was just to give thanks and praise the Lord showcased Governor Akpabio, his wife, family and the people of Akwa Ibom as grateful people who never underestimated but appreciated and valued in great proportion, what the Lord had done for them.And in public, Governor Akpabio said 'We could not but come out publicly with timbrels and cymbals, with brass band and 9,999 special voices to proclaim to the whole world and thank him. God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, the protector of all Akwa Ibom indigenes home and abroad.'We realised that God would not accept gold or demand silver for the marvelous things which he has been doing for us without asking, and even when we asked, he usually did it beyond our expectations. Hence the only thing he accepts is to acknowledge him and thank him by praising his name and the deeds.'And since God not one that does things in half measures, Governor Akpabio, his wife and his godly team did not spare anything in making sure that the praise night dedicated to the Lord almighty was grand.As God's favour is universal and transcendental, Governor Akpabio invited dignitaries from far and wide, not only to be witnesses but to help in lending their voices to praise the Lord for him and his people.He sought for one of the best gospel singers in the world, Roy Kennoly, and fetched one of the best choir groups in Africa, the Winneba Youth choir from Ghana, and another best in Nigeria,the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society.And sensing that many people would flock to Uyo for this spiritual retreat, Governor Akpabio used one stone to kill two birds by branding the city for Christmas and decorating it for the visit of the Lord the 9,999 carol singers event.Thus, all the major streets were decorated with Christmas light, looking as if you were in Regent Street in London. Ikot Ekpene road, baracks road, Akwa Ibom Connection, Ibom Plaza and the new round about were beautifully adorned with delightful Christmas lights, fixtures and fittings.To cap it all, a visitor coming in through the airport would feel the aura of the 9,999 as, apart from the big billboards mounted at various conspicuous places, the arrival hall was decorated with goodwill message of welcome and the State Television House stationed a crew to welcome visitors and record their views.To tell you that Governor Akpabio and his team carried the people along and also show that the programme was of the Lord, the taxi driver apart from pasting the sticker of 9,999 on his cab, was ready to tell you the import of the festival .Effiong Okon: 'You see, if not because of this 9,999, I will not be happy during this yuletide, but now, I am extremely happy and grateful to the Lord and Governor Akpabio for creating a good market whereby passengers' traffic to this airport increased phenomenally. And we are able to make more money than before. I, who used to make one trip of 3 thousands naira, have now been making four trips per day since Wednesday. This is the business created for us by Governor Akpabio.Traversing the streets of Uyo by keke was another revelation of the impacts of a governor who does not only fear God but does things which please the generality of the people.At Uyo Stadium The police and other security agenciesFinding one's way into the belly of the stadium was like passing through the eye of the needle. There was a deluge of guests, but the security forces were decently up to the task.It was the first time this reporter saw the Nigerian policemen behaving truly as the friends of the public. They were more civil than the Civil Defence corps. In fact, if there was any group that ever behaved rudely, it was the untrained security officials which the organising committee put in place to complement the work of the police whose members' were trying to exhibit and test their newly- acquired authority and power on the members of the public.As you managed to get inside the outer bowl of the stadium that evening, you were confronted with mobile traders and sellers of different wares, with handkerchief, suya men, chicken roasters, food vendors , souvenir merchants, drinks vendors, all purpose traders, book sellers, all making brisk bossiness which the opportunity offers.The beautiful bowl If human beings still enjoy the grace of the Lord as showered on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when God used to visit them physically in the cool of the evening, God would have descended from heaven above to be the special guest of honour because of the way the stadium was decorated and fine-tuned.It was touched up as if God Almighty was coming in his glory physically for the event.And truly, God was there in spirit and the attestation to this was the fact that, nothing untoward ever reared its head. Even, when the devil wanted to make use the Director of Protocol who had worked strenuously for the success of the event, by nearly beating this writer up for daring to take photographs which were meant for this page, the spirit of the Lord took control.The stadium was resplendently decorated and the sitting arrangement was perfect with enough viewing range for everyone inside that stadium that harbored over 100,000 guestsThere were two large stages planted on the football pitch. One was for the special guests of honours which included the Governors and his Exco and other special invitees.Facing this in the far end was the one where the Brass band and other invited bands , the Winneba and Abuja Cosmopolitan Bands occupiedBetween the two large stages were two podiums ,one was to the Governor's stsge and the other on to the brass band stand.There was a walkway overlaid with red a carpet which connected the governor's stage with the podium which faces the Brass band stage.Adjacent these podiums were sets of chairs neatly arranged in a cinema style where members of the public were seated in their best attires.
Click here to read full news..
