Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, returns to Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival that will rock the global stage on Friday, December 20, 2019.
Adeboye debuted the epochal Akwa Ibom 9999 Christmas Carol Night as a preacher on December 22, 2012.
A pastor of millions globally, he will this time talk on Only GOD during the spectacular event billed for Ibom Hall Arena, IBB Avenue, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State at 6 p.m.
Tagged AKCAROLSFEST 2019, the yearly event which is a glittering carnival of gospel songs is the 12th edition to hold at the magnificent 55,000-sq. metre Ibom Hall with a 42,000-seat capacity, a larger parking space and many pedestrian and car exits.
Notable Nigerian and international gospel songbirds are ready to set the annual celebration of God Almighty in songs ablaze with spirit-lifting songs.
Among them is Peter Linus better known by his stage name PITA, (Praise In This Age). PITA as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer has made over 1,000 live appearances on events and radio stations across the country.
An independent recording gospel artist born, bred and based in Lagos, Nigeria, he began his career at the Upper room missions Church, Lagos, Nigeria where he sang in the children’s choir.
He pursued his passion into his teen years, forming a gospel acapella group with friends by the name ‘Babysheart.’
Damola Adesina is another star who will illuminate the evening. A female Christian performance poet, Damola Adesina has released the Yoruba version of her album, The Praise of the Father and Iba Olodumare.
She recited 697 verses of scriptures to offer listeners a significant level of spiritual upliftment, eliciting spontaneous responses. Her recitation of these verses showed Olodumare that “inhabits the praise of His people. God is bound to be pleased.”
Also, Prospa Ocimana will be there. A Nigerian Gospel singer was born in Kogi state, he has gained a lot of listening audience after his song, Ekwueme (meaning The God who says and does it) went viral. Ochimana is a songwriter, composer, music coach and director.
Linda Etukudo will not be left out. Etukudo is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter. She has been singing with the Word of life Bible Church for years and is a key worship leader there. She has released three albums and just finished working on a live video performance with One Gospel Studios in South Africa.
Kunle Ajayi, a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, saxophonist, televangelist and Director of Music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is expected too. He has contributed significantly to Nigerian gospel over the years and he is currently the Director of Music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. In recognition of his immense contributions to gospel music in Nigeria, he was bestowed with the “Leadership award in Nigeria music” by the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2007 and 2008.
Nathaniel Bassey, a regular face at the event will glaze the harmattan-strewn evening. He is a Nigerian gospel singer born in 1978 to a Lagos-based family from Ikot Ofon Ikono in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Bassey was born into a devout Christian home and his father, Mr. E Joshua Bassey is a pastor in The Apostolic Church, Nashua Assembly. He grew up with a strong passion for music, particularly the Jazz music genre, and was inspired by gospel music icon, Dr. Panam Percy Paul. Bassey’s songs have touched many lives.
He is popularly known for his song Imela, Onise Iyanu and Olowogbogboro. Bassey is the brain behind the #HallelujahChallenge, where he worships God from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
GODFADA a gospel artiste, performer, prolific singer, composer, songwriter, and highlife maestro will in thrilling the exciting audience. Eteobong Inieke Uko also known as Godfada released a monster hit worship and praise song titled VICTORY.
Joe Praise is another star who will shine that evening. Born in Edo State into a family of nine, the 28-year-old has since become a praise and worship leader at the Love World a.k.a. Christ Embassy.
Some of the awards include the Song of the Year Award 2010, at the Love World Award with the song, “Mighty God”, which is track number five on his first album, My Praise. He was also nominated for Best African Gospel by SABC Crown Gospel Awards 2010, winner Best West Africa at the Africa Gospel Music Awards UK 2011, the Love World Awards 2011, for Worship Song of the Year, best artiste of the year at the crystal award Nigeria, best gospel song at the Coson awards Nigeria, lifetime achievement at the gospel music awards Italy, collaborated with Ayo Vincent in her video “You Are Great”, which won the best video at the Crystal Awards for gospel artists in Nigeria, which held on the July 2014, special recognition award loveworld Australia in 2014.
Hezekiah Walker will join other gospel singers to bring down Heaven. The 56-year-old is a popular American gospel music artist and pastor of prominent Brooklyn New York megachurch- Love Fellowship Tabernacle. Walker has released several albums on Benson Records and Verity Records as Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir.
Moreover, Emmanuel Izuchukwu Benjamin, popularly called by his stage name Eben will return. He is a gospel musician blessed with a good voice and a unique grace to teach and minister God’s word to the people through his life-touching songs.
Eben who was born on September 9 is the fifth child. He is a popular gospel vocalist, songwriter, and minister known for his Afro-pop, hip-hop-, and dance-influenced sound.
The seasoned song artist is the CEO of Hammer House records and Hammer House Ventures. And he has graced platforms with Nigerian contemporaries such as Frank Edward, Sinach, Samsong, Sammie Okposo, Jahdiel, Tharp, and even legendary icons such as Onyeka Onwenu, Sunny Nneji, among others.
In addition, Ibom Acapella, Harmonious Chorale, VINE SONG, Grace Family Choir, 3,000 Carol Singers, and AKSG Choir will feature to pep up the carols festival.
The initiator of the festival, Aniekpeno Mkpanang who is also the Permanent Secretary, in the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism invites people from all walks of life to attend the event which is free.
The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival in its website states that “the global event made its debut in the year 2008 when it was then known as the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Night. In 2011, the event made global history when it featuring an unprecedented 9,999 member choir, which at that time became the largest Christmas choir in the world. That gave the event the sobriquet, 9999 Carols Night.
“On December 13, 2014, the event set a new World Record in a gathering that featured 25,272 carols singers, to date, the largest group of Carols Singers in the world and was officially certified and cited in the Guinness World Records.
“Today, AKCAROLSFEST has grown in magnitude and repute to become a glittering festival of Christian songs, dance, worship and fun recognized and attended by top Artistes and worshipers from across the world.”
