The yuletide season ev
ery year is usually agog with festivities such as carnivals, beach parties, cultural shows and celebrations as well as weddings, anniversaries, family reunion, funfair, pomp and pageantry as Christians all over the world celebrate the 25th of December as the birth of Jesus Christ. This celebration continue till January first of every year which is celebrated as the new year day.
Despite the present economic recession in Nigeria, Port Harcourt, the capital city of the oil rich Rivers State celebrated this year’s Christmas and New Year with praise-worship and funfare as well as the various communities in the state. The Rivers State Christmas carol tagged “Hossana 2016”hosted by the state governor Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Saturday December 17th 2016 at the Yakubu Gown Stadium, Port Harcourt ushered in the Christmas and new year celebrations of peace.
About 17,000 Rivers people and residents turned for the event. It was a celebration of God’s grace and blessings to the state in the passing year. The Christmas carol also provided a united platform for the high and low to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and pray for a more prosperous new year.
The spiritual event showcased mass choir ministration, popular solo artistes performances and rendition of Christmas carols by all present including the state governor and his wife, former governor of Akwa-Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, government functionaries and other distinguished guests in attendance.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who preached the sermon at the event handed the state to God and preached for peace, unity and forgiveness in the state.
Other events that took place during the yuletide celebration are the popular Port Harcourt street parties which have become a culture in the city’s social calendar. The events bring together fun lovers from all parts of the city and beyond who partied all night and other side attractions that made the night memorable.
Apart from the street parties, other activities that rocked the state are the beach parties which provided opportunities for the youths and the young at heart to watch their popular music idols perform live onstage as they dance along with them. Popular Nollywood stars are usually not left out of the fun. Some of the popular beach parties that took place curing the yuletide celebration include the popular Buguma beach carnival in Akuku-Toru Local Government , the Ogba-kiri beach party in Emohua Local Government among others.
Also in the list of celebrations which took place this yuletide were the Nwaotam which holds every December 25th in Opobo, Bonny, Port Harcourt City and other areas, the Agaba masquerade and cultural dances. Other areas of interest where fun seekers went to catch full blown fun were the tourist beach, Arnusenet centres, cinema houses, restaurants, eateries, popular hotels and night clubs as well as other hangouts.
In an interview with The Tide entertainment, a showbiz personality in the state, Prince Victor Minima said, most people in the state had fun this yuletide despite the economic recession. This was made possible by the magnanimity and kind heart of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who paid December salaries to all civil servants and pensioners in the state plus the relative peace and security which created a conducive environment.