News Release

Aba Celebrates God’s Gift to the World

Choirs and soloists from many churches in Aba, including the Aba Stake Choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came together to present an interdenominational Christmas concert on Saturday, December 13.

The concert attracted over 1400 people from Aba and its environs amongst whom were leaders of the participating faiths, including the Catholic, Anglican and Apostolic churches. There were various presentations of carols from different church choirs and soloists.

The Saint Anthony and Jude Catholic Church Choir, sporting native Christmas attire, presented a song in their local dialect titled, “Teta Tet,” meaning “Wake up, wake up from Sleep.” While Chinoyerem Onyemerem, also of the same faith, did a solo presentation titled, “You Raise Me Up.”

Reverend Cannon Ebenezer Ohuocha and two of his daughters, all of Saint Paul Anglican Church, Umungasi, presented " Sing unto the Lord a Joyful Song,” and Tony Williams from Christ the King Cathedral presented an operatic solo titled, “Total Eclipse.”

Other choirs who presented diverse carol songs are, Christ the King Cathedral Choir, Aba Nigeria Stake Choir and Saint Paul Choir.  Soloists that also made presentations are Tony Williams of Christ the King Cathedral and Aloysius Uwalaka of Sedes Sapientiae Chaplaincy, Abia State Polytech nic. 

In his opening address, Elder Frederick Akinbo of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated that the aim of organizing the concert was to celebrate “God’s Gift to the world” – the Savior Jesus Christ – and to foster an interfaith unity among churches in that part of the country.

Also in his keynote address, Venerable Dr. Samuel N. Baaba, All Sains Cathedral, representing the Bishop of Aba North Dioceses, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Aba, encouraged leaders in Nigeria to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He affirmed that the greatest gift God gave is his Son, Jesus Christ, whom he sent to reclaim mankind.

Other church leaders and dignitaries in attendance were Apostle M.U.N Brown of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission; Pastor and Mrs. Emeka Chiemenam, General Overseer, Wholesome Family Ministries; and Livinus Ibe, Member of Aba Choirmasters Forum, Coordinator of Classical Music Concert and Secretary to SS Anthony and Jude Catholic Parish.

Others included Reverend Cannon C. Eleri, All Saints Cathedral, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion; Rev. Cannon Ebenezer Ohuocha; Evangelist Uwguezi Togu, Apostolic Christian Church Mission; Evangelist Promise Evurulobi, Apostolic Christian Church Mission; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Orizu, Tinox Oil; Azubuike Onwukaeme, Rosary Crusade Choir, St. Paul Catholic Church; Joseph N. Ebi, Streams Outreach; Evangelist Uwguezi Togu; and Evangelist Promise Evurulobi both of Apostolic Christian Church Mission.

The concert ended with a presentation of Harcourt White’s “Halleluiah Chorus” by an ensemble of all the various church choirs present.

Before the commencement of the concert, Elders Fredrick Akinbo and Ini Benson Ekong, ecclesiastical leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led the leaders of other participating churches on a familiarization tour of the Aba Nigeria Temple complex. 

The event was attended by a cross section of the media. To read more see http://sundiatapost.com/2014/12/cleric-urges-incoming-leaders-to-show-responsibility-to-god/ .

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