One day, all tribes in Nigeria will come together in unity — Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Nigerian Senate, asserts that he thinks the country will soon be able to assert itself and take its proper place in the community of nations by uniting and speaking as one.

The third-ranking citizen served as the main presenter for the Nigerian Television Authority’s (NTA) 2023 Carol Night, which took place at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja on Sunday.

“I think that Nigerians from all tribes, peoples, and tongues will unite in patriotism and unity one day, and share the love of Jesus Christ,” he said to the assembly.

He claims that during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigerians organised the largest-ever group of Christmas Carol singers, a record that is currently held by Nigerians in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“A vast multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,” the Bible describes in Revelation 7:9, is what we wanted to experience, he said.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), a former head of state, received high appreciation from the Senate President for his unwavering devotion and commitment to serving as the grand patron of the Christmas Carols.

“I used to ask myself, what if we weren’t praying?” he said. Many people believed that Nigeria would collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic and that every household would be filled with corpses. However, God had other ideas and heard the prayers of the Church and good men who battled for the hope that God would step in. As a result, God intervened not only for Nigeria but for the entire world.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu is coming at a very appropriate time because it firmly believes in reviving the hope of all Nigerians. The ongoing initiatives are giving us new optimism.

“The happiness of this Christmas, which began on December 3rd, amply demonstrates to us your 20 years of steadfastness.”

He expressed his excitement that he was Nigeria’s Senate President, a figure well-known for hosting Christmas Carols, at the 20th edition of the carols to the NTA, the Voice of Nigeria, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), who had been organising them for the previous 20 years.

He continued, saying, “I firmly believe that the only reason God created humans was so that they would praise and worship him. For this reason, every year from 2007 to 2015, I organised the world’s largest choir, broke the Guinness Book of Records, and placed it there to this day. I also made sure that people in about 59 countries were aware that Jesus had arrived. Godswill Akpabio Choir is what my folks called it in my honour.

“Jesus continues to light the path for those who put their trust in Him, just as the star in Bethlehem guided the way to the lowly manager.”

“The promise of His birth is a divine covenant that calls us from the darkness into His wondrous light. His life is an example of boundless forgiveness, love, and compassion.

We find strength, redemption, and the promise of eternal life when we accept Jesus as our hope. The power of optimism strikes a profound chord with Nigerians. We have experienced our fair share of hardships, but we have remained strong because of our faith and the hope contained in the teachings of Jesus.

“Jesus continues to be the light of hope in a world struggling with uncertainty, conflict, and difficulties, providing comfort and confidence to everyone who seeks Him out.

“Let’s rekindle that hope in our hearts today as we celebrate Christmas in peace and love, encouraging transformation, forgiving one another, and compassion.”

“We are all reminded by the generously organised Christmas carol event by the Nigeria Television Authority that God’s word will always endure and so will our hope in Jesus. His unending love, which was made evident at Christmas, gives harmony and friendliness to all people.

As we celebrate this, we have seen firsthand how powerful music is—it can break down barriers and reach the core of our beings. We are reminded of the song of angels that the shepherds heard to announce the birth of Jesus. As we enjoy these beautiful songs, let’s not forget that they have also endured through the ages, bearing witness to the enduring influence of Jesus on humankind.

May the joyous occasion of Jesus’ birth resound throughout this season and influence each of our words, deeds, and thoughts. May “His hope inspire us to spread love and kindness to those around us, reigniting our spirits.”