Government of Akwa Ibom has chosen to have 2023 Carol Festival exclusively feature local content

The governor of Akwa Ibom State has declared that local performers will be featured in the December 15, 2023, Carol Festival.

Additionally, it said that Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo will host its Christmas Park from Friday, December 1, to Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Recall that prior administrations had reportedly spent enormous sums of money on the festivals, bringing in performers such as Donnie McClurkin, Alvin Slaughter, TD Jakes, and international choruses.

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The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh, revealed the programmes for the month-long event during a press conference on Tuesday at Ibom Icon and Golf Resort, Uyo. He stated, “The 2023 edition of the Christmas Park, formerly Christmas Village, is a rebranded and reloaded event with 100% local content to mostly accommodate the younger generation.”

Udoh guaranteed that the occasion was thoughtfully planned to highlight Governor Umo Eno’s business spirit and guarantee that Akwa Ibom gains greater commercial viability.

The subject of this year’s Carol Festival is “Arise, Shine, for Thy Light has Come,” which is taken from Isaiah 60:1. He noted that live streaming of the event will be available on national television as well as the state government’s social media accounts.

He mentioned that every day will be reserved for get-togethers for state residents from various backgrounds, including families from the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Niger Delta communities, as well as the governor, commissioners and their spouses, the legislature, journalists, and the elderly. A particular emphasis will be placed on “Happy Hour,” during which randomly selected kiosks will be given N100,000 in upfront sales.

Traditional wrestling, tombola night, pageant and fashion performances, twin night, and Bob Marley tribute night are a few of the additional side activities of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Park.