• Obasanjo, Mutfwang, Enenche preach peace, unity and love

By Henry Umahi

It was a carnival of outstanding hues; a festival of songs and thanksgiving. One of the attendees, Mrs Mary Kwassau Joshua, remarked: “If this is a glimpse of what will happen in heaven, everyone should strive to make it.”

Indeed, when the 800 – man Plateau Unity choir, resplendent in their uniform, climbed the stage and began to sing, the atmosphere was as if the heavenly hosts had descended on earth. The scene was extraordinarily beautiful,  graceful and awe-inspiring.

The stage performances were characterized by dynamic energy and innovative choreography. The artistes and worship leaders connected incredibly with the attendees, creating unforgettable memories.

Infact, the performances were a complete spectacle. The stage was exquisitely decorated with dazzling special effects. And the two masters of ceremony, a man and a woman, were real masters in the act. They were charismatic, energetic and expertly guided the event, keeping the audience engaged, and maintained a smooth flow. They blended perfectly and connected with both speakers and guests. Top of it, they displayed elevated public speaking skills, not murdering even tongue – twisting names.

The musicians made everyone wave their hands and dance in appreciation of God’s project. Take Sinach, an internationally renowned gospel singer and songwriter: her blend of contemporary gospel, praise, and worship songs serenaded the crowd. Her ability to convey profound feelings through her music was profound.

The delivery of the Ebonyi State indigene had strong emphasis on uplifting lyrics and powerful, sing along melodies. Her “Way Maker” and “I know who I am” were among her hit songs unleashed at the crowd. When she asked the crowd to put on their phone light at night, the arena looked like a celestial city.

Buchi took the festival by storm with his inimitable style. He deployed his distinctive blend of gospel and reggae to deliver transformative Christian messages. Typically, Buchi’s songs and messages focused on faith, hope, praise and evangelism, intended to draw people to Jesus Christ. His iconic songs such as “What a Thing” and “Mma Mma” enchanted the audience.

Before the coming of Buchi, Sinach, Uche Etiaba and others, Femi Coker led the praise worship, creating an atmosphere for fellowship. They were also choir renditions by Kungiyar Nazari from Katsina; Baptist Women’s Fellowship, Plateau Unity choir and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who mesmerized the audience with unique offerings.

There were also songs ministrations by Apostle Andrew Dangwei and Pastor Chingtok Ishaku. Ezra Jinang, a gospel artiste cum lawyer, won many hearts with his performance. Indeed, the festival showed that Nigeria is blessed with many talents even in local communities. Of course, there were Bible readings to provide spiritual guidance.

Perhaps, if Governor Caleb Mutfwang was not a lawyer and politician, he would have excelled in the temple of God as a preacher and worship leader. Blazing in glory, he mounted the podium to officially declare festival open.

The  governor led the crowd in songs and his voice was a beauty to behold. Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of the special guests of honour at the event, commended the governor’s singing ability.

Preaching the gospel of peace and unity as always, he told Plateau people to drop the things that divide them and embrace the things that unite them.

Mutfwang delivered a soul-lifting message and the people applauded. He said: “As always the Lord’s name deserves to be praised, it deserves to be worshipped, it deserves to be adored. Individually we can worship God in our homes, but God is also delighted when we come together as a people in unity to worship and exalt his name.

And this has been the vision, that gave birth to this gathering together. I want to thank God Almighty for this day that we have gathered again this year, despite

all odds, to celebrate the goodness of God in the land of the living.

Indeed, the Lord is good to us, the Lord is so good.”

On behalf of the government and people of Plateau State, Mutfwang welcomed Obasanjo, who the MC described as a promise keeper. The former president, who attended the first edition last year, had promised that God willing, he would attend the 2025 edition. And he did.

Mutfwang further said: “Welcome, especially all the former governors that are here. One of our desires since we came on board is to try to reach out to those who have served this state diligently and, therefore, we have kept touch with them and so I’m excited tonight.

“Permit me to specially welcome and to appreciate our father, the father of Plateau State, the visioner of this venue that we are using. When this place was coming up many people said so many things out of ignorance but today it has become not only a place of prayer, but actually a point of unity for the people of Plateau State.

“I want to thank you sir, David Jonah Jang, the former governor of Plateau State, and his dear wife. I want to thank many of the dignitaries that are here, I wish I could call them one by one.

“I want to welcome all of you to this very important gathering. It is not because you lack places to go,

it is not because you cannot organize carols on your own, it is not because you cannot gather

in your local denominations, we have set aside denominations, we have set aside all the things that divide us, and we are gathered tonight under one banner the banner of Jesus Christ. It’s wonderful.

“This is to encourage us that with unity, we will achieve a lot; with unity we will be able to shut the door against the enemy that troubles us. With unity we will speak with one voice, we will pursue the same vision, and focus.

And I want you to know that this state is blessed, Plateau is blessed

“We have not been able to achieve much because we are fighting one another, because we stab one another, we oppose one another, and I want to use this occasion to plead with you, my brothers and sisters from Plateau State, let’s drop the things that divide us, let’s focus on the things that unite us.

“There is enough for every one of us, if only we unite under God, to be able to pursue the goodness of God in the land of the living. And so as we gather again, may the spirit of unity envelop us. May the spirit of togetherness envelop us, may we rise from this point, go back, knowing that Plateau is one, Plateau is for all of us.

“Plateau is God’s blessing to Nigeria, and we are the people that will make that blessing to become a reality. And so I want to plead with us that as we sit together in the course of these three days and three nights, three nights particularly, I want you to come with full expectation, I want you to come with a desire that you will become your brother’s keeper after now, and that after now, that unity will not be difficult for us to pursue and to attain.

“I want you to know your presence is an honor, and may the Lord bless us in the course of these days. May the Lord cause that his name will be exalted in our midst.

“And may God cause our hearts to knit into one another, and that may the spirit of love bind us together.

It is therefore my honour and privilege to formally declare this Plateau Unity Christmas Carols, and Praise Festival open to the glory of God the Father, to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the glory of the Blessed Trinity, including the Holy Spirit. May His name be exalted.”

Obasanjo, who got a warm reception, said: “What I have seen today has whetted my appetite for next year. I congratulation and commend the governor for the continuity. This event should be put on the turism calendar of the world.

The former president, who led the crowd in singing “Amazing Grace”, remarked that “in this world, you will have problems. In this world you will face tribulation. In this world, you will face problem, but you shall overcome.” He spoke about the essence of Christmas.

Then the former president began to fire on all cylinders. He decried the insecurity and killings in the country, saying that government should do more to protect the people.

Obasanjo said: “One problem we have is the problem of insecurity and it didn’t start with this administration. The first role of any govt is the protection of the citizens.

“Nigerian are being killed and our government seem incapable of protecting the people. Government should protect Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religion

“No Nigerian should be killed; the life of every Nigerian matters

“We are tired of being killed whether we are Christians, Muslims or Pagans. The life of every Nigerian matters.” He said that we have the right to seek help from the international community.

On the second day, children gave a treat to the audience. The little angels sang merrily. The icing on the  cake was the specular Bible recitation. Take this: A four-year-old gir held the guests spellbound with her recitation of 168 verses of the Bible. Two other 10-year-old boys gave the crowd something to cheer with seeming endless recitations.

On the final day of the praise festival, Pastor Paul Enenche brought down the glory of God with his sermon. There were many testimonies of healings recorded to the glory of God.

Goodwill messages were delivered by stakeholders, including Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo, Sen. Jonah David Jang, Joshua Dariye and Gen. Chris Musa (retd), who received a resounding ovation.

Many promised to return next year. Mr Tanko told Daily Sun: “I feel reinvigorated. I feel new. I feel happy. By God’s grace, I will be back next year. This is one of the best things the governor has done.”