Nigerian Carrier, Dana Air has been announced as the Official Airline of one of the biggest festivals in the world- The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, scheduled to hold on 22nd of December, 2017 at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom state.
The Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Coordinator of the Festival, Mr Aniekpeno Mkpanang disclosed this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital. According to him: ‘The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is one of the biggest and well-attended Festivals in the world and we are expecting over 20,000 artistes and visitors to fly in from other parts of the country, Africa and the world, hence the need to join ranks and partner with one of the most consistent Airlines in Nigeria right now to ensure a hitch-free, hassle free, seamless, and on-time travel for all our guests and visitors.’’
Speaking further, he said, “As you may be aware, the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is the largest assembly of carol singers in the world and this is a global achievement officially certified by Guinness World Records. We have a track record of hosting world-class events and we can’t afford to let the ball drop at this point when we are aiming to beat even our existing records. We are grateful to our Governor and Principal Host, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the unbridled consistency of his full support.’’
The Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, while commenting on the partnership said, “We have been flying to Uyo for over 5 years now, supporting the economic activities in the state and providing the best of air transport services with convenient fares to the good people of Akwa Ibom State. We are excited about the choice of Dana Air as the Official Airline of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival 2017 and we assure the organizers and the State Government of our full commitment.’’
The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival has been holding since 2008. It is a gathering of worshipers to celebrate Christmas in a unique and spectacular way. It usually features a Grand Choir made up of thousands of Carol singers, singing Carols together in an awe-inspiring way alongside ministration from top Gospel Artistes from around the globe.
Gospel music legends like multiple Grammy Award winner Shirley Caeser, Ron Kenoly, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Chevelle Franklyn, Alvin Slaughter, Lionel Petersen, Don Moen among the others, have ministered at this event over the years. The event has also featured top Nigerian Gospel Artistes like Nathaniel Bassey, Sammy Okposo, Sinach, Frank Edwards, Steve Crown, Panam Percy Paul, Aity Dennis Inyang, Asu Ekiye, Freke, Buchi, Lara George, among the others.
In 2014, the event set a New Guinness World Record to officially become the “Largest Assembly of Carol Singers in the World.
