By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Calabar
The acronym Calabar has been translated to mean, Come-And-Live-And-Be-At-Rest. The state has become the tourism destination of the country. Apart from its rich cultural heritage and wonderful cuisine, the state has been adjudged the most peaceful and cleanest state in the country.

Though, it was the first capital city of the country, it at a time nearly lost most of the qualities that it was noted for. However, the present administration under Senator Liyel Imoke has brought back those qualities that made it thick. One of them is the Christmas festival which was a legacy bequeathed to Imoke by the Donald Duke administration.

*Tu Face-and-D'banj

For this year at  the U.J. Esuene stadium, Calabar, the government recorded a feat by attracting world star musicians and gospel singers like the Americal gospel singer, Don Moen.

There was a large crowd at the stadium to watch one of the America’s ace gospel singers perform. The people got more than what they expected as the signer did not only render his popular multi winning award songs but also prayed for them and the nation.

Performing during “Voices of Paradise” Sunday night, under the Calabar Festival religious programme which included chorus and coral singing competition among various churches in Calabar Metropolis, Moen carried the crowd along as the audience sang and danced with him.

The Programme was attended by Governor Liyel Imoke, his wife Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, Deputy Governor Mr. Efiok Cobham and wife Glory, legislators led by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Larry Odey and members of the state executive council including heads of departments and agencies.

Religious leaders were not left out in the praise and worship concert as they were led by the state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Arch. Bishop Archibong Archibong.

The multi talented artiste, who is also rated as one of the best gospel signers in the world, thrilled the audience to a one-hour non-stop rendition of his acclaimed tunes which the audience could not help but sang along thereby expressing how widely his music is globally accepted.

Speaking at the occasion, Don Moen thanked the governor and his wife for inviting him to perform in Calabar, a town he disclosed, he had heard of many years ago and hoped though being his first time to perform at the festival, he looked forward to attending more shows as that was not his last performance while praising the crowd for being wonderful and orderly.

Moen, who had earlier had an exclusive dinner with the first family of the State, enjoined the crowd to pray ceaselessly in order to enjoy God’s love and urged them to always celebrate God even in bad time while praying that God blesses the state and its leadership to witness His favours.

Nigerian gospel singers that performed that night included Kingsley Agbor, Sabina Umoren and True Vessels who inculcated different genres of music into gospel singing to perfect their acts which the crowd appreciated.

For true Vessels, it was  rap  while Sabina injected Afro beat into her tunes which  the crowd enjoyed as they carried white plastic chairs above their heads singing and dancing along.

Meanwhile, live performances has become part of what has characterised the famous Calabar Festival. The Canaan Rhythms has electrified the festival with the blend of music and comedy, though just the first show indicated that the festival has already gathered momentum.

The event over the years has provided an opportunity for budding musicians, comedians, dancers and other artistes to promote themselves.

Other top musicians that have performed include DJ Tip Top providing the beats, musician Callytown and local comedian HOD who got the ribs of the audience cracking.