The props are ready. The stage is set. The organisers are working round the clock. Major participants are engrossed to the rituals of rehearsal.

Not long from now, the main event debuting the sixth edition of this year’s Akwa Ibom Government 9,999 Christmas Carol Night will unfold in a more grand scale that many may perceive to be better than the previous editions.

The carol night which forms a common platform in bringing different choir groups, gospel artistes, preachers and tourists both locally and internationally is a signature tune to commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ during the yuletide season and thanking God Almighty for His love and mercy to Akwa Ibom people and government over the year.

A pet child of Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the event offers a blend of unique vocal and digital rendition of medley and lyrics as well as a repository of colourful visual decorations, dances, costumes and lighting effects. It creates ambience and solemnity among the audience.

Unlike the previous editions of the glamorous event, this year’s edition will be a showpiece of talented and exceptionally gifted gospel singers spiced with other side attractions. The Director of Protocol to the Governor, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang gave an insight to the vivacious event.

“We have raised a 200-man band Ibom Choral and Orchestra comprising a 100-man classical mass choir, a 50-man orchestra choir, 35 singers, 10 instrumentalists and 10 lead singers. We have also raised Akwa Ibom Voices to sing as ensemble comprising Aity Dennis Inyang, Pastor Goody Goody, Folake Umosen, Linda Etukudoh, Fadabasi, Freke Umoh and Nathaniel Bassey. They would have back-ups,” he hinted.

Music stars of national and international reckoning are also billed to perform during the carol night.  For instance, Israel Houghton, a US internationally recognised worship leader, recording artiste, song writer, producer and a five-time Grammy Award winner and Lionel Peterson, a world renowned South African Gospel legend, famous for mega gospel hit -’Jabulani Africa’ will sing at the event.

Others are Sinach, an international worship leader of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s Believers Love-World Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy International, notable for over 200 songs such as “Awesome God”, “More of You” and “From Glory to Glory”, among others;  Frank Edwards, a Nigerian exceptional, versatile and multiple award-winning gospel rock artiste and one of the music ambassadors of Christ Embassy International Church, known for such hit singles as “You too dey bless me” and “Omemma”, among others as well as St. Kitts and Nevis National Mass Choir.

Beyond the music and razzmatazz, the yearly event is significant in many ways, particularly as a spiritual blood tonic, good governance booster, Christian life support, revenue fibre and “Gilgal of Nigeria”, elixir to Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians as a whole. One, the event helps to open up the State to first–time visitors to behold the uncommon transformation ably exemplified by the Akpabio administration in the last six years and five months.

Before now, some people had argued that much revenue allocation was given to the South-South region, yet many infrastructure were not executed to justify the huge amount. The Akpabio administration has turned the negative perception to superlative performance through execution of high quality, people-oriented projects.

Two, the event is a remarkable celebration of Akwa Ibom now nick named the “Gilgal of Nigeria”, thus re-enacting the era of the biblical Gilgal in ancient Israel where people resorted to for solutions.

In his final lines he took a recapitulation of the gravamen of his submissions, carrying along the legislature, the media and the totality of the Nigerian people. Na’Abba deserves pat on the back, even till today.

It was his magical control over word power and poetry that stimulated the eternal refrain of Thomas Middle tonus that “In tragedian ut lux ex tenebrous ictu percussa tonantis; claris sit iita poetis” – As light is struck from darkness at the blow of the thunder, may it bring ruin to the evil one, but life to famous poets.” We give then and now great plaudit and honour to Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba for rekindling the glory of diction and oratory which has become a scarce commodity in our present breed of politicians. God Bless Na’Abba.

Historical recapitulations and political investigations have revealed that elocutionary phosphorescence and oratorical dexterity were major attributes of Members of the Legislature and Executive arms of Government in the first and second republics in Nigeria.

This understanding of the architectonics, syntax and chemistry of grammar lessened areas of conflicts during debates.  But in the present dispensation the beauty of diction and orderly presentation of submissions has become serpentine, opaque and lackluster. We call on legislators to rekindle the beauty inherent in debates and submissions through oratorical dexterity.

The essayist Harriet Handel said “A wise man should stand his grounds at all times, but should know when to shift fences when it becomes absolutely necessary. It is the hallmark of tactical imperatives.”  We hope our Legislators and Members of the Executive will follow suit.

*Mr.  Israel Umoh , a commentator on national issues,wrote from uyo, Akwa Ibom State.